Coaches support Hawai’i proposal to host MPSF tourney

The UCLA men’s volleyball team may not have to worry at
all about making it to the postseason next year.

At Sunday’s annual meeting of Mountain Pacific Sports
Federation coaches in Long Beach, there was strong support shown
for a Hawai’i proposal that the Warriors serve as host for an
MPSF tournament that would include all 12 teams in the
conference.

“The coaches wanted it,” Scates said. “It
looks like something will get done.

“But there were too many questions. How much more money
will the tournament be able to generate? What will we be able to do
with it? Can we buy a television contract?”

The plan was tabled until June 23, when the coaches will
participate in a conference call.

Scates said he is in favor of hosting the tournament in
Hawai’i only for next season since the Warriors are hosting
the Final Four there anyway. Any MPSF team that makes it to the
Final Four would be then be able to simply stay in
Hawai’i.

Hawai’i, which leads the nation in men’s volleyball
attendance and hopes to boost revenue for a sport that is
struggling financially, is asking for a three-year deal.

It was Scates who led the fight against a similar plan proposed
last February that on top of giving the Warriors home court
advantage would have also awarded them an automatic berth into the
quarterfinals.

The current format consists of an eight-team tournament with the
remaining top seed hosting the semifinals and final.

Also tabled was Scates’ proposal that BYU must move its
seats at Smith Fieldhouse back 100 feet behind the serving line.
The close proximity between players and fans will eventually lead
to an altercation, he said.

Scates did succeed in making sure UCLA would not host BYU next
season during Finals Week, when attendance at Pauley Pavilion would
be at its lowest.

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Incoming freshman Steve Klosterman was selected Thursday as one
of 24 players to try out for the United States World University
Games team. The 6 foot, 7 inch outside hitter, currently a senior
at Huntington Beach Marina High, hopes to make the 12-man roster
that will compete this August in Daegu, Korea.

One of the top recruits in the nation, Klosterman signed a
national letter of intent last November to attend UCLA. He projects
as an opposite hitter and could very well start as a freshman.

Senior middle blocker Scott Morrow declined an invitation to try
out.

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UCLA graduate student and one-time Stanford star Canyon Ceman
combined with partner Mike Whitmarsh to win last weekend’s
AVP Tempe Open. The team split $14,500 in winnings after defeating
the duo of UCLA volunteer assistant coach Jeff Nygaard and Dain
Blanton.