For the Hawai'i volleyball team, the road test pales in comparison to a more difficult obstacle: Denise Abara's approval.

Abara is the UH academic adviser who helps oversee the Warriors' class work.

The Warriors do not anticipate problems "as long as we keep Denise Abara happy," said UH coach Mike Wilton, whose Warriors play road matches against Long Beach State tomorrow and Friday.

That means not skipping classes nor having grades sink below C-level.

Twenty minutes before a match against then-No. 2 Cal State Northridge two weeks ago, UH left-side hitter Gus Tuaniga was pulled from warmups because he failed to meet some team-imposed academic requirements. While Tuaniga was in street clothes on the sideline, the Warriors defeated the Matadors, then won the rematch the following night.

Now, Wilton said, Tuaniga is "good to go."

"I'm glad to be back with the team," Tuaniga said. "I think I'm doing way better in school. I had to realize what I was doing (wrong). I'm back to normal. I'm back on track. I'm ready for all of the games."

Against Northridge, Tuaniga and fellow freshman Steve Hunt were scheduled to start on the left side. Brennon Dyer started at opposite, a position that requires hitting and blocking primarily from the right side during front-row rotations.

Josh Walker, a powerful attacker but only adequate passer, started at Tuaniga's left-side spot, a position that requires accurate passing.

Walker passed well in both matches, and was all but assured the starting job, except ...

Last week Monday, Walker suffered an abdominal strain while serving during practice. He did not practice the rest of the week. The team had a bye the past weekend. He resumed practicing Monday.

"The bye came at the right time because a lot of us need to get healthy right now," Walker said.

As part of his rehabilitation, he received electrical stimulation treatment and wore Kinesiology Tape.

"It feels good," Walker said. "Now I'm trying to work on my passing, make sure I help my team out however I can."

The break also was helpful for team captain Jim Clar, who is competing for time at opposite. Clar had offseason surgery on his right (swinging) shoulder, and he aggravated his right rotator cuff in fall training.

Three weeks ago, he received two cortisone shots.

"The first one hurt a lot," Clar said. "The second one made it feel a lot better."

While there is some discomfort, he is hopeful of playing against Long Beach State.

As for the Warriors' overall health, Wilton said: "I think everybody is OK now, actually."