The Hawai'i volleyball team used last week's bye to say hello to a new lineup.

Setter Sean Carney moves to outside hitter, Steven Grgas has secured a spot in the middle and Josh Walker is ascending the depth chart.

"We're looking at a lot of different things," said coach Mike Wilton, whose team hosts UC San Diego tomorrow and Friday.

Wilton said Carney and Nejc Zemljak are the Warriors' best players. Thing is, both are setters. Wilton's solution is to have both play at the same time.

Of the two, according to Wilton, Carney has the more powerful swing, making the co-captain the more logical choice to move. Carney is a skilled passer who also can hit from both sides.

"We thought Sean could give us a little more hitting power," Wilton said.

Carney said: "Coach asked if I would be willing to give it a try. I haven't done it in a while. I'm getting a lot of reps. Day by day, I'm getting better at it."

After yesterday's 2 1/2-hour practice, Carney's right shoulder was fitted for an ice pack.

"I'm a little more tired," he said. "I'm using different muscles. But it's been fun."

Zemljak had experimented at outside hitter during the Outrigger Invitational. Now he is poised to run the Warriors' offense.

"Whatever coach wants, I'll do," Zemljak said.

Grgas, for now, has moved ahead of Matt Rawson at one of the middle spots. Keali'i Frank will start at the other middle.

"This is his third year with us," Wilton said of Grgas, who was an opposite attacker last season. "After three years, you'd like to hope he can become a good player."

UH's leading hitter, Jim Clar (4.23 kills per game), resumed practicing after taking a week to recover from an abdominal strain. Wilton said he does not want to tax Clar.

"We've got him in reserve," Wilton said. "I'm worried about him re-straining it. We're being very careful right now."

That opens the way for the sky-walking Walker, a second-year freshman from Virginia Beach, to contend for playing time at outside hitter.

Walker is 6 feet 1, but has a vertical jump of 37 1/2 inches and can touch 11 feet 4.

Until last week, Walker was on the "third court" — the practice area for redshirts and developing players.

"It motivated me every day watching (the starters) play," Walker said. "That's why I wanted to get over there (to the main court)."

Walker improved his passing enough to earn a shot.

"He works hard at the game," Wilton said. "He's putting up pretty good practice numbers. If he keeps playing the way he's playing, he'll start."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.