The University of Hawai'i volleyball team is on such a good roll that it ascended the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation standings without playing a match yesterday.

The Warriors were tied for seventh place before Southern California lost to UC Santa Barbara last night, dropping the Trojans into eighth place. Only the top eight teams advance to the MPSF playoffs.

With two home matches against Stanford remaining, the Warriors might finish as high as sixth. They are 9-11 in the MPSF.

Cal State Northridge, which is 10-10 in the MPSF, faces top-ranked Pepperdine tonight. UH owns the tie-breaker edge over Northridge.

The Warriors will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat Stanford tomorrow or Saturday.

A month ago, the Warriors had difficulty doing the basic tasks — passing and serving — for prolonged periods.

But then coach Mike Wilton changed the lineup, placing Lauri Hakala at opposite attacker, Eric Kalima as a left-side primary passer, and freshman Ric Cervantes at libero. The passing improved, and the Warriors won eight in a row.

The Warriors might not be done maneuvering. One of the key players during the surge, left-side hitter Matt Vanzant, had difficulty passing accurately in last week's sweep of Long Beach State.

Second-year freshman Ernie Vidinha replaced Vanzant in the second Long Beach match, finishing with a career-high 11 kills. Wilton has not announced a starter at that position.

"I'm fine," Vanzant said. "I'm looking forward to the weekend. (The passing problem) was kind of weird. I'm glad Ernie did well. He stepped it up. Hopefully, he'll do it again this weekend if he needs to."

Vidinha had suffered through similar problems with his passing. He stayed after practice to work on that skill. He also reviewed his notes from fall training, when he worked with volleyball consultant Carl McGown. McGown coached the U.S. Olympic team, as well guided Brigham Young to two NCAA championships.

"He taught us how to use our forearms to make a platform when we pass," Vidinha said. "He taught us to straighten our arms, simple stuff like that."

Vidinha said he has tried to remain optimistic despite limited playing time. He took 30 swings in the two Long Beach matches; before that series, he had 47 swings.

"I've been on the bench the whole season, but I'm ready if they need me," he said. "I know my role is to go out there and pass. I have a strong mental attitude."

Vidinha also has a high pain threshold. He is suffering from tendinitis in both knees.

"There's nothing I can do about it now," he said. "All I can do is rest it as much as I can. We're coming down to the end of the season. There's not much time to rest."

Kalima is suffering from "jumper's knees." Setter Brian Beckwith has tendinitis in his right knee.

"It's from jumping," Beckwith said. "That's part of volleyball."

This weekend's series might be the last home matches for seniors Beckwith, Kalima, Hakala and middle blocker Dio Dante. UH would host a playoff match only if it finished seventh.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.