Disneyland is a 20-minute drive away, but for the University of Hawai'i volleyball team, Irvine, Calif., is the happiest place on Earth.

The Warriors' enthusiasm could not be dampened yesterday, not even by the rainfall following the final practice before tonight's Mountain Pacific Sports Federation playoff match against host UC Irvine.

"We're really, really happy to be here," UH coach Mike Wilton said.

The claustrophobic conditions of the 1,200-seat gym, where the fans sit across from the bench and the ceiling is as high as the base of the Stan Sheriff Center scoreboard?

"We don't mind," setter Brian Beckwith said. "Hopefully, it'll bring the crowd closer to the game."

The Warriors' sixth road trip of the year?

"That's the way it is," middle blocker Dio Dante said.

UH and Irvine met in the MPSF opener in January. The Anteaters won both matches against a Warrior team that has since undergone an extreme makeover.

The Warriors' current 10-game winning streak was ignited when Lauri Hakala moved to opposite attacker, Eric Kalima and Matt Vanzant became the left-side hitters, and freshman Ric Cervantes regained the libero job.

Hakala, who overcame an abdominal strain, has emerged as the go-to hitter, the Finnish finisher.

"I'm giving it everything I have," Hakala said. "I don't want to have any regrets."

Wilton said: "He has the whole summer to rest."

Cervantes has provided scrappy defense and accurate passing.

"He's really stepped it up and given us a secure spot there at left-back as far as digs," Beckwith said. "His passing is coming along. He's getting us that much closer to siding out more consistently. His defense is really helping out. He's starting to fit into that role of commanding the back row."

Cervantes credits his improved play to "experience, confidence and my teammates believing in me."

The Warriors have one of the nation's best blocks, with senior Dio Dante and second-year freshman Matt Rawson.

Blocking, which usually is a byproduct of tough serving, has three elements: Scoring a point, controlling the volleyball to set up three-touch plays, or taking away an opposing hitter's favorite attack angles.

Those goals will be difficult against the Anteaters, who have no dropoffs in passing, serving or hitting in any rotation turn.

Because of that, Irvine coach John Speraw acknowledged, it is "probably tough to game-plan against us. We're pretty balanced."

Outside hitter Jayson Jablonsky, who was the MPSF's top player last year, has improved his passing significantly. Still, he is averaging 3.79 kills per game, complementing the powerful swings of opposite attacker Matt Webber (3.85 kills per game).

Middle blocker David Smith is hitting .556.

"That's pretty dang good," Wilton said. "The one other one (middle Aaron Harrell) is slacking off. He's hitting 'only' .450."

Speraw said: "Our game is to play good team volleyball. Some teams rely on one particular guy, the hammer. I don't know if we've ever been like that."

Webber and Jablonsky launch strong jump serves. Setter Brian Thornton scores points with dancing float serves.

"They serve it in effectively," Wilton said. "And they hit it in effectively. If you're going to do well against them, you have to pass and block and dig them. They won't hit it out."

Beckwith said he believes the Warriors will be able to handle the playoff pressure. The winner advances to next week's MPSF semifinals in Malibu, Calif. The loser gets to prepare for the postseason banquet. Beckwith noted that after a 3-13 start, the Warriors had to win every match.

"When you have nothing to lose, it's fun to play that way," Beckwith said. "It's a little bit more free-spirited, a little bit more aggressive. You can really see some people step up their game when there's nothing to lose. That's been a lot of fun."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.