On retro night, the University of Hawai'i volleyball team turned back Loyola University Chicago, 30-28, 30-19, 33-31.

"We played Warrior volleyball," said outside hitter Matt Carere, who slammed a match-high 17 kills.

It was the Warriors' 11th victory in a row, a span of 37 days. They improved to 15-4. The Ramblers are 16-6.

There was a nostalgic feel to the evening, which began with two matches involving former UH players. Alan Hackbarth, the self-styled "Rubberband Man," also made his first — and nearly last — appearance of the season. While performing a dance routine in the stands, Hackbarth became entangled with a metal railing, falling 5 feet to the arena floor. But Hackbarth shook off the tumble, and finished his performance — a metaphorical inspiration to the Warriors.

"We kind of had trouble at the beginning, but then we played the way we're supposed to play," Carere said.

The turning point was an overturned point in Game 1. With UH down 17-14, opposite attacker Lauri Hakala served long. But the horn sounded while the ball was in mid-flight because the official scorer believed Hakala had served out of turn. After five minutes of discussion, the officials ruled Hakala indeed was in the right spot, and ordered the point to be replayed. Hakala then served the next two points.

"It definitely took our momentum away," Loyola coach Shane Davis said. "It shouldn't have been discussed that long. We needed to get the match going. We definitely cooled down. We went downhill after that."

Hakala said: "That was a really strange play. I don't want to criticize anybody, but that break was way too long. That should have been cleared way faster. Although it was a big break, we stayed focused, and we played very well after that. Then we won the first game, which is always good."

Indeed, that was important, particularly because of the Ramblers' reputed Game 2 slumps.

"I'm not sure what it is about our Game 2s, but we have trouble," Davis said.

This time, the Warriors played a large role in the Ramblers' downfall. The Warriors scored 15 points on their 30 serves in Game 2; a scoring rate of 35 percent is considered to be excellent. Carere served for four points during one turn, including back-to-back aces. Middle blocker Dio Dante, who had struggled with his jump serves in Friday's match between the teams, served for four points.

"It's very temperamental," Dante said of his jump serves. "I still missed a couple, but it was much better than (Friday) night. I'm pretty pleased with that. I think I was over-thinking it (on Friday). It got to my head. It's all in my mind. Once I can harness it, it's going to be a great tool for me."

Johnny Matt Bender, who missed the first month of the season because of torn ligaments in his left ankle, made his first start of the season. He opened at José José Delgado's spot on the left side, then moved to opposite in Game 3, replacing Hakala.

Of playing two positions, Bender said: "It was good because I wanted to do that, I needed to do it. But it was bad because I didn't play that well."

Bender had seven kills, but eight attack errors. He made nine digs, including a sprawling save to set up Carere's winning spike in Game 1.

"We think Bender, because of his personality, is the ideal fireman guy," UH coach Mike Wilton said. "He has voiced many times, 'We're playing great with these seven guys.' His attitude will always be good. He wants to play. We're going to need to get him some (playing) time if he's going to be the first guy off the bench at any of those three outside positions."

Late in Game 3, Hakala replaced Bender. "He won't admit it, but he was a little tired," Wilton said.

Bender said: "It was fun to get out there. I was nervous, but I've been nervous every time I've ever played a volleyball match, all the way back to high school."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.