When the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation passed out its volleyball awards yesterday, the University of Hawai'i was not among the Best in Show.

Middle blocker Dio Dante, who leads the league in blocking, was named to the All-MPSF second team.

Setter Brian Beckwith and opposite attacker Lauri Hakala — both All-America players last season — were selected to the third team.

"It's a good honor for me, I guess," said Dante, whose team faces UC Irvine tomorrow in the quarterfinals of the MPSF Tournament. "Awards don't mean too much to me. It's about the team more. I don't know who judges these things, but whatever, let them have their fun judging it."

In light of the Warriors' 3-13 start, Beckwith said, "it's cool they honored me this year. We started off slow and battled back. It's nice to get some recognition for that."

It was doubly rewarding for Hakala, who overcame a painful abdominal strain that made him wince with every swing he took. His successful move from left-side hitter to opposite attacker helped spark the Warriors' current 10-match winning streak.

"This is so surprising," Hakala said. "I'm genuinely surprised. That shows the (MPSF) coaches really appreciated what we did at the end.

"I'm surprised Dio didn't get first team," Hakala added. "I'm disappointed Brian didn't get second team or higher. And I'm surprised I got anything, considering the rough start. I'm really happy for that. No regrets."

Hakala recalled that although he received All-America recognition last year, "we still don't have a (championship) ring or banner. I don't need the personal recognition. It's more important to me that we win five more matches."

That is how many victories it would take for the Warriors to win a national championship.

The Warriors left Hawai'i yesterday for a road trip that could last between three and 17 nights.

Dante, who does not like to travel, said: "I don't mind this trip."

Indeed, the Warriors are fortunate to have qualified for the eight-team MPSF playoffs after losing 10 of their first 13 matches. They finished 13-13 overall and 11-11 in the MPSF, placing sixth.

"March 10 wasn't so long ago, and we were 3-13," head coach Mike Wilton said. "We've got a nice thing going right now. I like my team. We're playing hard. We're playing well. We're happy to be where we are."

Although he would have preferred opening the playoffs in the Stan Sheriff Center, Wilton said, "We weren't in a position to be choosers this year on playing at home. We are where we are. We finished sixth, so that means traveling."

Beckwith said the pressure of the past 10 matches has steeled the Warriors for this playoff run.

"We've been playing do-or-die for the last month," Beckwith said. "We're already in the playoff kind of realm. We're going to give it all the effort we've got because at the end of it, you don't want to be asking yourself any questions, like if you could have done something different or better."

The Warriors are in relatively good shape. Left-side hitter Eric Kalima has "jumpers' knees," an inflammation that will not prevent him from playing. Beckwith has tendinitis in his right knee. Ernie Vidinha, the top backup at left-side hitter, has tendinitis in both knees.

With Kyle Klinger left off the travel roster, there is little experienced depth behind Dante and Matt Rawson in the middle. Steven Grgas, who moved from opposite attacker last month, and Jake Schkud, who has not played middle blocker regularly since high school, are the top reserves at that position.

"The main thing is to be consistent," Dante said. "Consistency wins volleyball matches."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.