The journey to the NCAA men’s volleyball final four begins with the "early four."

The Outrigger Hotels Invitational, which opens today in the Stan Sheriff Center, is considered the sport’s top regular-season tournament.

This year’s field includes two teams that won national titles in the past five years — Penn State (2008) and Ohio State (2011). UCLA, which has won 19 national championships, is now coached by alumnus John Speraw, who led UC Irvine to titles in 2012 and 2007.

Penn State and UCLA meet at 4 p.m. Hawaii and Ohio State play at approximately 7 p.m.

Here’s a closer look:

Hawaii

The Warriors used 13 players in their two season-opening road losses to Brigham Young last week. They figure to use more in this round robin, which does not cap the active roster.

Max Wechsung, a junior-college transfer, has locked up the setter’s job and a leadership role. He is one of 12 newcomers and one of four co-captains.

In the first BYU match, Wechsung struggled with his set placements. He was better in the rematch. "The second night we played more together as a team," Wechsung said. "We went after it."

JP Marks, who has battled flu-like symptoms this week, has made the transition from the left side to opposite. Johann Timmer is adjusting to going the other way, although he appears to be more comfortable attacking from the left side. Jace Olsen, a Penn State transfer, is second with 2.14 kills per match but has a negative hitting percentage. Olsen appears to have fixed his problems with his approach, especially in transition, during practices this week.

"Jace has good energy, good presence and he receives serves well," UH coach Charlie Wade said.

Outside hitters Sinisa Zarkovic, Brook Sedore and Scott Hartley will get a look this week. So, too, will middle blocker Taylor Averill, a converted opposite, who has recovered from shoulder surgery.

Freshman Kolby Kanetake will be a star libero, but for now, senior Matt Cheape’s assertiveness is needed more.

"Cheape is taking advantage of his fifth-year experience," Wade said. "He’s more likely to hold guys accountable, and keep them engaged in the moment."

Ohio State

Fond memories and middle blocker Grayson Overman are all that remain from the Buckeyes’ 2011 title season.

"Our team is a mystery team," coach Pete Hanson said. "We don’t know what’s going to show up. It should be a fun weekend for us."

As a redshirt in 2011, Pete Heinen was the setter on the scout team that faced the nation’s best team every practice that year. "That position takes a lot of time to grow in to," Hanson said.

Heinen started in 2012, but "saw the light bulb go on" this fall, Hanson said.

Left-side hitter Michael Henchy and opposite Andrew Lutz are threats at the pins. Libero Brennan Anderson passed 18 serves without an error in last week’s victory over Saint Francis, "but this is his first real experience playing a lot," Hanson said.

Hanson regards the tournament as a three-day seminar.

"We’re here to give guys some quality experience," Hanson said. "Hopefully, it bodes well down the road."

Penn State

For the most part, the volleyball program has been insulated from the Penn State sex-abuse tragedy that rocked the college football world. From the rubble, "the spirit of the place has really come through the whole mess," volleyball assistant coach Colin McMillan said.

On the court, assistant coach Jay Hosack described the Nittany Lions as a mix of youth and veterans. No player remains from the 2008 title team.

"It’s kind of forging-your-own-path feeling," Hosack said. "I think these kids are excited about what their legacy will be when they’re gone."

Middle blocker Nick Turko and opposite Tom Comfort — both seniors — are co-captains. Libero Connor Curry is the most accurate passer.

Setter Taylor Hammond, a second-year freshman, controls the offense. "He does a nice job delivering nice sets in good positions," Hosack said. "He’s a leader on and off the court. I think that’s his best attribute. He has the ears of the guys around him."

UCLA

It should be difficult to follow a coach (Al Scates) who won 19 national titles in 50 years. Except Speraw is a Bruins graduate who built a golden program in Orange County.

"I had a wonderful experience at UC Irvine," Speraw said. "Many people there will be lifelong friends. But, it turns out, there are many lifelong friends who are still at UCLA. Because of that, the transition has been smooth. It’s wonderful to be back on a campus that I love."

UCLA has deep tradition and pockets. But there are only two returning starters — outside hitter Gonzalo Quiroga and libero Evan Mottram. Spencer Rowe moved from the pin to the middle.

Irvine ran one of the league’s quickest offenses. While UCLA’s pace will depend on the development of setters Steve O’Dell and Connor Bannan, the offense now shifts to the right, with opposite Robert Page expected to get more sets.

"Robert Page has turned into a pretty good player over there," Speraw said.