For a volleyball blind date, Stevens Institute of Technology brings several qualities as a season-opening opponent for the University of Hawaii.

The Hoboken, N.J., school has a view of New York City, a strong academic reputation (engineering, computer science, pre-law and pre-med), and successful graduates (average starting pay is $64,900; average mid-career salary is $124,000).

And the Division III Ducks do well in volleyball, averaging 25 victories per season under coach Patrick Dorywalski.

"We expect a good match," said Hawaii coach Charlie Wade, whose Rainbow Warriors play host to the Ducks on Saturday.

SIT trains in Hawaii every four or five years, Dorywalski said. Dorywalski called Wade seeking an exhibition match against any of the participants in next week’s Outrigger Invitational. With a puka in the schedule, Wade suggested that UH and SIT meet in a real match.

"It worked out pretty good," Wade said.

Although the Warriors compete at a higher level, they are limited to the financial equivalent of 4.5 scholarships for Division I-II men’s volleyball teams. Meanwhile, Dorywalski said, 16 of 17 Ducks receive full scholarships valued at $59,000 each for tuition, fees, room and board. One Duck pays under $10,000 annually.

The Ducks have six seniors. Four players redshirted last season.

"They’ve got guys who have been in it for a long time," Wade said.

Wade has developed a balanced roster. Three years ago, Wade began to stockpile arms. That meant playing first- and second-year players. At the time, Wade phrased it as "young money" — freshmen and sophomores who receive partial financial aid — being on the court.

Now the Warriors have experienced players in the lineup and bench. The tentative starting rotation has three seniors (opposite Brook Sedore and middles Taylor Averill and Davis Holt), two juniors (libero Kolby Kanetake and left-side hitter Siki Zarkovic), and a sophomore (setter Jennings Franciskovic).

Senior Scott Hartley and sophomores Kupono Fey and Hendrik Mol are competing at the second left-side position.

"That’s the one (position) I’ve been going back and forth on," said Wade, making a coin-flipping motion.

Wade said Fey had the edge following exhibition matches in Long Beach, Calif., during fall training. But Wade said Hartley, a co-captain, has played well in recent practices.

Averill, a middle with an opposite’s power, might see a non-traditional role. Wade has kept Averill in the back row for a rotation.

"I just love to play," Averill said. "If they need me in the middle, I’ll play in the middle. If they need me hitting from the back row, I’m all for it."