There is hope for every slow starter, and the inspiration is UCLA.

Last year, the Bruins lost 10 of their first 15 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation volleyball matches. But then they won seven in a row to squeeze into the MPSF playoffs, and another six en route to winning their 19th NCAA volleyball championship.

"UCLA showed it's not how you start but how you finish," UH setter Brian Beckwith said.

Of the late surge, UCLA coach Al Scates said: "Every blue moon that happens. I guess the moon was blue last year."

Blue also matches the current mood of UCLA and UH, Wednesday's opponents in the Bruins' Pauley Pavilion. The rematch is Friday.

The Warriors are in fifth place with a 2-2 MPSF record. The Bruins are 11th at 1-5.

"We need a win," Scates said. "Hawai'i is in much better shape than we are. We're 1-5. We need to win more than they do."

UH coach Mike Wilton disagreed, saying: "Ships need to be righted. We're in some stormy seas."

The Warriors lost both of their matches in last week's Outrigger Invitational. Both times, insufficient serving was to blame.

"If you miss a lot of serves, that's a good way to lose trust in one another," Wilton said. "We've got to get better at that."

Wilton said serving improved during practices Monday at UH and Tuesday in Los Angeles. Left-side hitter Lauri Hakala said he expects UH to rebound.

"It's not like it's magical," Hakala said. "You keep doing the things you know you can do. At some point, it clicks."

After using 18 players this season, UCLA also is ready to find its rhythm. "When I get to that lineup that wins, I'll know it," Scates said.

Middle blocker Jamie Diefenbach, who competed on the UCLA basketball team until the first week of January, is getting back into form. Opposite attacker Sean O'Malley, who suffered a broken wrist while trying to block outside hitter Paul George's spike in fall training, is available to play.

"(O'Malley) just got back to where he can block again," Scates said.

Outside hitter Dylan Bowermaster also has recovered from a broken wrist and will back up George and Garrett Muagututia on the left side.

George is easily the Bruins' most feared attacker.

"He's a terminator," Scates said. "He hits hard. He doesn't get dug too much."

Scates said he will use three setters during the series, but suit up only two each night.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.