Buckle up, Hawai'i volleyball fans, the thrill show that is Brigham Young's Victor Batista is ready to blast off.

Batista, a middle blocker who has amused and infuriated paying customers with his athletic play and theatrical stunts, will lead the Cougars against UH tomorrow and Saturday in the Stan Sheriff Center.

"I always love coming to Hawai'i," said Batista, who was serenaded with jeers during his last visit, in 2005. "I love the crowd, and I don't think they hate me anymore."

During the 2005 Outrigger Invitational, he protested calls by bongo-drumming the court.

To celebrate service aces, he pretends to pull the pin of an imaginary grenade. Batista said: "One day, I started thinking how a short serve goes slow" — he whistles — "and then boom!"

For home matches, he is known as "Bonesaw," a takeoff on the wrestler from the movie, "Spider-Man." He was presented the nickname because his powerful spikes and serves cause his fans to yell at opponents: "You're gonna get your bones sawed!"

The Bonesaw Fan Club, numbering 50, waves cardboard saws covered with aluminum foil. A Bonesaw Web site was created on the BYU system.

"It's amazing," Batista said. "It's so much fun."

The thing is, the player and the character are not the same. Batista is a married and, by the obstetrician's estimate, will be a first-time father next Thursday.

"We're going to name him Giovan," Batista said. "I was worried about being away this week, but we have faith I'll be back before the baby is born."

Batista said he cleansed his past when was baptized in the Mormon church last August. The church administers BYU.

"It's a very good religion," he said. "I felt I wasn't living the right way. I wasn't a very good person. I needed some help. I feel better about myself."

He also has found stability in volleyball, a sport he learned when he was 17 in the Dominican Republic. A coach for the national team noticed Batista playing pick-up basketball in his hometown of Tamayo.

Batista recalled the coach saying: "You're too skinny to play basketball. You're going to get hurt."

Ignoring the warning, Batista soared for a dunk. But he was bumped from behind, and fell in a dazed heap.

"I was hurt everywhere," Batista said. "The coach said, 'You see. That's why you should play volleyball.' "

Batista eventually made the national team. He and his brother applied for a passport at the same time. Because of a clerical error, the photos were switched. Batista's photo appeared on his brother's passport. Batista did not notice the mistake until he rushed to catch a flight for an international tournament. He decided to use his brother's passport, and play under Robin Batista's name.

Years later, Batista, now using his real name, had the option of playing professionally in Spain or attending BYU on a limited scholarship. He chose BYU.

Last year, acting on an anonymous tip, BYU officials looked into Batista's background, discovering he had played under his brother's name. The information was forwarded to the NCAA, which ruled that Batista did not violate his eligibility. But the NCAA stripped him of a year because he attended a college in the Dominican Republic. Now, Batista is a 26-year-old senior.

"Everything is fine now," said Batista, who is where he wants to be. "I can't wait to play in front of the Hawai'i fans. They really know the sport. They make the games fun."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.