The Hawai'i volleyball team has found a sympathetic ear — from tonight's opponent.

"We're in the exact same situation," UC Santa Barbara coach Rick McLaughlin said. "Both teams know it's going to be do or die for them. I know we're going to see their best, and I think we're going to be at our best, too."

Both teams are on the clock.

The Warriors are 2-8 and in 10th place in the 12-team Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. The Gauchos are in 11th place, at 2-10. The top eight teams qualify for the MPSF playoffs.

The Warriors figure they need to win eight of their final 12 MPSF matches to earn a berth in the postseason. In the past five seasons, the records for the eighth-place teams were 10-12 (2008), 9-13 (2007), 9-13 (2006), 10-12 (2005) and 8-14 (2004).

Eight of the Warriors' next 12 MPSF matches are against opponents with sub-.500 records.

"If we win 10, we're in," libero Ric Cervantes said.

Left-side hitter Josh Walker added: "All that matters right now is the wins and losses. We've got to get the wins. ... We're still in position to control our destiny. That's very important."

In the past two matches against Stanford, the Warriors used six different lineups in six sets.

"It's hard when we have a new lineup every single game," Cervantes said.

The rotation will be stirred once again because of left-side hitter Gus Tuaniga's hyper-extended left elbow. Tuaniga, a freshman, is the best passer among the UH outside hitters.

Tuaniga said he suffered the injury during Monday's practice. He did not practice Tuesday, and went to a doctor's appointment yesterday.

"Right now it's feeling good," Tuaniga said of his left elbow, which was encased in a rubber brace yesterday. "I think I'm ready."

Not so, said UH head coach Mike Wilton.

"He's out," said Wilton, who was debating whether to include Tuaniga on tonight's suit-up roster.

With Steven Hunt, another freshman left-side hitter, unavailable to play for at least two more weeks because of a fracture in his right (hitting) hand, the Warriors are expected to start Walker and Sean Carney on the left side.

Steven Grgas, who has played all but two sets at middle blocker, is expected to start at opposite attacker. Brennon Dyer will be available if Grgas tires.

Walker and Carney, a converted setter, are not experienced passers. Cervantes is expected to increase his already large workload as a passer.

"I'm getting used to it," said Cervantes, a junior from Santa Barbara. "My first year, I had a lot of experience around me. I needed to learn the ropes. Last year was the year to apply everything. This year I'm taking on new challenges, taking on more court, and being responsible for more than myself and my area."

In the two losses to Stanford, the Cardinal passed well and its back-row defenders were able to dig the Warriors' best spikes.

"We had some difficult matchups lately," setter Nejc Zemljak said. "If we keep up the game we've been playing against some other teams, we might prevail. I don't think every team is going to punish us for our mistakes like Stanford did, for example."

Grgas and Walker also said they have formed a connection with Zemljak in recent practices. Zemljak's high sets give Walker more hitting options.

"We know each other," Zemljak said. "We're ready."