These days, every University of Hawai'i volleyball match is graded on a pass/fail system.

When the Warriors pass accurately, "we're pretty good," left-side hitter Matt Vanzant said.

The Warriors, who have lost 10 of their past 11 matches, will be tested against Cal State Northridge tonight and tomorrow night. The Warriors probably need to win at least seven of their final eight matches to qualify for the playoffs.

"This is a big weekend for us," setter Brian Beckwith said. "If we can play consistent, we can keep the hope alive. Desperate people, desperate measures."

UH coach Mike Wilton said the solution is not complicated.

"We've got to just pass the ball," Wilton said. "That's where it starts."

The Warriors have settled on a lineup designed with passing in mind. Eric Kalima has moved from libero to left-side hitter, where he will remain as a primary passer. Freshman Ric Cervantes is the libero. Vanzant, who overcame an early slump, is the third passer. Opposite attacker Lauri Hakala, who moved from the left side two weeks ago, also will have a small role as a passer.

"We're feeling a little more confident with our passing," Vanzant said. "Hopefully, we can do the job."

Kalima said the UH passers need to "stay focused" and rely on "basic techniques."

The Warriors want to place passes 5 feet from the net and about 15 feet high.

"You can't pass it too high (to Beckwith)," Vanzant said. "But you have to give him enough time to get there."

The Matadors, meanwhile, have used efficient passing to trigger their quick offense. Outside hitter Isaac Kneubuhl, a Kamehameha Schools graduate, is the Matadors' most accurate passer.

"Passing is a real important key to our success," CSUN coach Jeff Campbell said. "When teams break down, it's usually around passing."

When the Matadors are in system, the result usually is a Dan Rhodes' spike. Rhodes, a 6-foot-5 opposite attacker, averages 4.12 kills per game.

To counter, the Warriors will try to put sizzle into their serves. Beckwith and middle blocker Dio Dante have discarded float serves in favor of jump serves.

For Beckwith, the switch came in last month's match against Brigham Young. "If we served it easy, it was like giving them free points," Beckwith said. "We had to go for it every time. That's why I started jump serving."

And Beckwith's serves are leading to points. "Maybe it's the vibe," Beckwith said. "It's not the heat. I put a special spitball on my serve."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.