Hawaii found the right combination to unlock the way to a 20-25, 25-23, 21-25, 27-25, 15-11 volleyball victory over Stanford on Saturday night.
A Stan Sheriff Center crowd of 2,349 saw the Warriors avenge a five-set loss the previous night to improve to 4-7 overall and 3-5 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
The third-ranked Cardinal fell to 7-3 and 4-3.
UH coach Charlie Wade shook up the lineup in the fifth set.
Outside hitter Johann Timmer, who has been used as the serving specialist in recent matches, opened the final set as a middle blocker.
The strategy was to put the Warriors’ four best servers — JP Marks, Timmer, Brook Sedore and Siki Zarkovic — in a row at the top of the rotation.
"You’ve got to push some buttons," Wade said. "I’m tired of losing five-setters. We’re trying to find some ways to win ’em. If we have to shake it up a little bit and push some buttons, why not?"
The tactic worked, with Marks, Timmer and Sedore combining for four points on their first seven serves, including an ace by Timmer.
The Warriors built leads of 4-1 and 6-3.
"We lined up our best servers," Wade said. "In the fifth set, if you get a little lead, get a little separation, it’s hard to come back. We’re always trying to find a quarter-point, a half-point. You’re always trying to find a point here or there."
After Timmer completed his turn in the back row, he was replaced by middle blocker Davis Holt. Holt contributed on blocks at 11-6 and 14-10.
"I got assists," said Holt, who finished with handprints on seven of the Warriors’ 18 blocks. "We did a great job of blocking, a lot better than (Friday) night."
The Cardinal closed to 14-11, before Sedore crushed an angle shot for aloha ball.
"It’s amazing," said Marks, who is usually stoic.
Of his on-court celebration at the end of the match, Marks said: "We just beat the No. 3 team in the country. I’m so excited. I’m stoked."
Marks was instrumental in the Warriors’ final two sets. In the crucial fourth set, he converted angle shots to tie it at 24 and 25. He had an important block in the fifth set.
Marks was the Warriors’ opposite attacker through the first seven matches. But he admittedly struggled blocking on the right side and he missed passing. He moved back to the left side when Sedore was promoted to starting opposite.
"That’s my position," Marks said of left-side hitter. "I don’t like playing on the opposite. It’s not my thing."
Timmer said he has adjusted to his job as serving specialist.
"It’s my role," Timmer said. "I narrow it down to the aspects of technique."
Timmer said he played middle in high school, making it an easy transition when he was summoned for the fifth set.
Of greater concern was Timmer’s health. He missed three practices this past week because of the flu. He said he only got a "touch" of practice on Thursday.
Still, Timmer said, "When you come into the Stan Sheriff Center, whatever (ailment) you have seems to go away."
Sedore led the Warriors with 17 kills.
Zarkovic, who helped as a back-row passer, finished with 11 kills and six digs.
Stanford outside hitter Steve Irvin had 22 kills — 49 in the series — but struggled with his accuracy in the fifth set.
This was the Warriors’ sixth five-set match at home this season. They are 3-3 in those matches.
