Hawai'i volleyball player Jim Clar, it seems, has become the guest who would not go home.

Every year, there are new candidates at outside hitter, and each time Clar ends up in the mix.

"That shows how hard he works," UH coach Mike Wilton said. "He's a team guy. He takes care of business on and off the court."

Clar, a fourth-year junior, is set to start at left-side hitter when the Warriors play Pacific tomorrow in the first match of a four-match, nine-day road trip. He is second on the team with 3.64 kills per game. He leads the non-middles with 1.12 blocks per game.

Clar has been overshadowed by Jacob Schkud, a co-captain, and Joshua "Sky" Walker, who has emerged as the go-to hitter. But Clar actually has the team's best vertical jump (39 inches) and he can touch 11 feet 4 1/2.

Still, Clar keeps battling, keeping his emotions on the "intense" setting.

"I guess it's how I am," Clar said, smiling. "I hate losing more than anything. I just want to win. Coach knows that. I come in and compete hard. Sometimes I'll have a bad practice, but it doesn't bother me. I know when I get on the court, it's a different game for me."

Off the court, Clar admits to being "easygoing."

"I like going to the beach, hanging out with friends," said Clar, who was raised in Rochester, N.Y. "I like to watch movies — comedies, action, corny horror movies. I think they're funny, and kind of cool."

The Warriors departed yesterday afternoon for California. Schkud and setter Sean Carney, both of whom had flulike symptoms Tuesday, practiced yesterday morning.