The University of Hawai'i volleyball team did the improbable.

Limited to a per diem of $60 per player, the Warriors managed to book affordable rooms at a hotel that offers free breakfast and dinner.

With the team sleeping three to a room, head coach Mike Wilton said, "we have a few pennies left over to give (the players) something to eat with."

The Warriors now hope to cash in on a two-for-two deal when they play road matches against Long Beach State tonight and tomorrow night in the Pyramid.

"We need to win both of them," middle blocker Dio Dante said.

With four matches remaining, the Warriors and Southern California are tied for eighth place with 7-11 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation records. The Warriors hold the tie-breaker edge.

Long Beach is in 10th place at 6-12. The top eight finishers qualify for the MPSF playoffs.

"To be safe, we have to at least split these matches" against the 49ers, Wilton said.

The 49ers are an intriguing challenge. They have a go-to attacker (left-side hitter Paul Lotman), an agile freshman setter (Connor Eaton) and a rotation of disruptive servers. Lotman's jump serves have resulted in 33 aces. Eaton's float serves have frustrated passers.

But the 49ers have struggled to establish a set lineup. They have used three different opposite attackers this season. The second left-side position also has been a carousel.

The Warriors, meanwhile, have won six in a row — all by three-game sweeps — since moving Lauri Hakala to opposite, Eric Kalima to left-side hitter and starting Ric Cervantes at libero.

"We're feeling comfortable with each other," setter Brian Beckwith said.

The key has been Cervantes' development. He started early in the season, lost his job and has rebounded to become an accurate passer.

As a libero, Kalima had to cover a large area. Cervantes now can take some of the passing responsibilities. When both play, UH essentially has two liberos in the lineup.

But for the past month, Kalima has been bothered by "jumper's knees." The painful inflammation has forced the Warriors to change their workouts. In practices, Kalima plays libero. He only plays left-side hitter during matches.

Asked if the lack of practice swings affects Kalima's offense, Wilton said, "No. We can keep him sharp doing what we're doing."

Wilton said Sean Carney and Ernie Vidinha also are available to spell Kalima.

The Warriors have improved their depth at middle blocker. Kyle Klinger, who went on sabbatical to ponder his volleyball future, resumed practicing with the team this week. He made the 13-player travel roster.

Klinger said he needed time to tend to "personal matters."

Klinger is on track to earn a bachelor's degree in December, and has not decided if he will play next season. Steven Grgas also can play in the middle.