A generation ago, a 6-foot-7 volleyball player might have been the tallest on the court.
"In the middle," Hawaii’s Taylor Averill said, "one can say I’m undersized."
But on Tuesday, Averill was a towering figure, being named the Sports Imports/AVCA Division I-II player of the week for men’s volleyball.
"This was a team award," said Averill, who credited Jennings Franciskovic’s setting, the overall team passing and serving, middle Davis Holt, and pin hitters Brook Sedore, Siki Zarkovic and Kupono Fey. "I’m nothing without good passing and serving, and great teammates."
Averill was instrumental in two four-set victories over UC Santa Barbara, which entered the series with a seven-match winning streak against the Warriors. But Averill had 15 kills and seven blocks on Friday, and then hit .562 in Sunday’s rematch.
"Truthfully, I was disappointed in my blocking," Averill said. "I felt I could have done a lot more. … It’s great to see a lot of improvement needed and to still get an award like that."
UH coach Charlie Wade said: "Taylor’s story continues to be a great one as inspiration for a lot of people. He’s had to bounce back from a lot of tough things that have come up through his college career."
Averill has had arm and knee issues. He played the second half of his freshman season in 2012 with a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
Athletic-performance trainer Daniel Mar Chong has worked on Averill’s quickness and fitness.
"It was a matter of getting him healthy, and making that the base," said Mar Chong, who implemented a program of high-speed lifts and volleyball-related exercises.
"Every success I’ve had I owe to him in some way," Averill said of Mar Chong.
Wade said Averill is a unique middle who is experienced as a setter and opposite attacker. Averill sometimes remains in a back-row rotation to blast away from behind the 3-meter line.
"He’s such a volley guy," Wade said. "He’s played multiple positions. He was a gym rat in high school. More so than any typical middle blocker, he has a wide skill set. He can do a lot of things — pass and set and play defense and hit high balls."
Wade also praised Averill’s off-court focus.
"I’ve made my mistakes too early and was forced to mature faster than most," Averill said. "I have big aspirations. I want to make the Olympic team one day. I want to play overseas. That becomes more of a reality as my college career comes to a close. This is the time to get most serious."
