Opportunity comes in many forms, and for Hawaii libero Garrett Komisarek, it was served on a float in volleyball matches this past weekend.

Komisarek, who was summoned to receive UCLA’s darting float serves, steadied the Rainbow Warriors’ passing in a two-match sweep.

"Garrett did a real nice job," UH coach Charlie Wade said.

Last year, the NCAA implemented a rule allowing teams to freely use two liberos. That proved to be useful for the Warriors when libero Kolby Kanetake battled to receive the Bruins’ float serves. Kanetake is most accurate when he uses his platform outstretched forearms to pass. It is preferable to use hands to pass float serves.

"I’m definitely more comfortable using my hands," Komisarek said. "It’s more control. I feel I can be more aggressive in going after the ball."

Wade said the float serve "is up higher. With your platform, you have to manipulate to get deeper (to pass). Garrett is good with his hands. He’s aggressive. He’ll get (the float serve) with his hands and shovel it right up to the setter."

The Warriors are expected to use both liberos in matches against UC Irvine on Friday and Sunday. The Anteaters often use as many as four float servers in a rotation.

Wade said both liberos have been supportive.

"Garrett made a real nice dig at a pretty significant point in the match (on Saturday)," Wade recalled. "I hear, Great job, Komo.’ I turn and look and it’s Kolby. He was there encouraging him. I’m sure he’s not stoked about coming out, but he realizes if (Komisarek is) helping the team, that’s the most important thing."

Komisarek’s career path has been an audible. He answered a dare in trying out for his high school team as a freshman.

"My friend said if I tried out, he’d buy me lunch," Komisarek said.

Komisarek made the team, then collected his prize.

"He bought me cafeteria cheap food," Komisarek said, smiling. "He was my friend. I thought I might as well try (volleyball). It was something new."

Two years ago, Wade scouted a junior-college match.

"On that court, in that match, (Komisarek) was the fastest guy on the floor by a pretty significant margin," Wade said. "Defensively, he was all over the place, covering balls. He was really impressive."

The opposing junior college coach had been promoting his own libero to Wade. After the match, that coach told Wade: "Forget it. (Komisarek) is way better."

Komisarek said he sent highlight videos to every Division I and II program. "I figured, the worst they could say was no,’ and I’m in the same spot," he said. "I had four or five schools bite, but as soon as I came out to Hawaii on an official (visit), I absolutely fell in love with the place."

Kanetake beat out Komisarek for the second libero’s job last year. Komisarek ended up redshirting.

In the offseason, he worked extensively on his passing with teammates. His girlfriend, Amanda Lee, a member of UH’s track team, often fed the serving machine that fired volleyballs in his direction.

"That helped a lot," Komisarek said.

He did not need much help in his attitude.

"My mentality is try to get every ball," Komisarek said. "I pray every ball gets hit to me so I can dig every ball."