Big West, Big Arms
Big showdown today between two of the top pins in the country.
We are getting quite the treat tonight. The top two players in the nation for kills/set will be facing off against each other. Hilir Henno (UCI) currently leads the nation with 4.75 kills/set and 5.50 points/set. He is coming off a weekend where he had 89 kills and 175 attacks in three matches. Henno’s shoulder is other-worldly. There is just no other explanation.
On the other side of the net is Geste Bianchi (UCSB). He is second in the nation with 4.58 kills/set and 5.31 points/set. He is also first with 10.27 attacks/set, the only player in the nation in double digits. This past weekend, against Long Beach, he had 48 kills on 106 swings over two matches. Bianchi’s shoulder is other-worldly. There is just no other explanation.
Getting to watch these two pin hitters duke it out will be something else. Both sides know that these two players will get a lot of sets. I would imagine that whichever team can get the higher hitting percentage out of their go-to arm will be the winner.
I also want to mention another big arm out of the Big West. Sunday night, Spyros Chakas (Hawaii) left the match against UC Irvine in the fifth set with an apparent injury. Today the news was officially announced that Chakas would not be returning to the court this season. This is a major loss for the Rainbow Warriors and a major loss to the 2024 Men’s Volleyball season. Chakas is currently 5th in the nation in kills/set (4.15 - a career-high) and 3rd in the nation in hitting percentage (.417 - career-high). Yesterday, it was also announced that Chakas was named the AVCA National Player of the Week for the second time this season. Losing a player of this immense caliber is heartbreaking. Personally, it was truly an honor to see Spyros play and I wish nothing but a speedy and full recovery.
Match Recaps
Non-conference
UC San Diego (49%) def. Harvard (51%)
3-1 (25-21, 25-16, 18-25, 25-20)
D'Youville (76%) def. Roberts Wesleyan (24%)
3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 27-25)
Match Projections
Big West
UC Santa Barbara (12%) vs UC Irvine (88%)
Non-conference
Barton (27%) vs Queens (73%)
Harvard (70%) vs Concordia (30%)
Thomas More (67%) vs Central State (33%)