Peter Balding might be the guy you recognize on the bench but are not sure why when Hawai'i opens its volleyball season Aug. 29 against defending champion Penn State. That's the way the low-key Balding likes it.

After some 24 years coaching volleyball at every level at Punahou — and winning six state championships (five boys, one girls) — Balding will be Rainbow Wahine coach Dave Shoji's volunteer assistant this season. It might be described as coming full circle, since Shoji was Balding's JV coach when he was a Punahou sophomore.

The two have become friends and shared volleyball wisdom since. When associate coach Kari Ambrozich's impending maternity leave created a puka in Shoji's staff, his first thought was to ask Balding to fill in. Balding's full-time job as a PE teacher for Punahou kindergarten, first and second graders, and Ambrozich's myriad off-the-court responsibilities, prevented that from happening. The compromise was to move longtime manager Ryan Tsuji into Ambrozich's slot and ask Balding to volunteer.

Shoji, whose son Erik played for Balding, was not confident he'd accept, for compensation that works out to shoes, a few T-shirts and a parking pass. But he knew Balding's passion for the game made him someone special, and he wanted him.

"He brings a lot of energy and another pair of eyes," Shoji said. "He did come in to observe a lot of practices last year so he was really familiar with our system and the players already. He's got a lot of energy. That's the way he played and the way he coaches. I thought he could bring some of that to us. He's obviously a very veteran coach, strong in any phase of the game."

Turns out, if Shoji hadn't offered the volunteer position, Balding would have asked.

He sees himself as coming from a generation of Hawai'i volleyball players who grew up believing they should give back. Balding feels his compensation comes in the form of "being invited to be part of something special" that lets him learn from and work with some of the best athletes and coaches in the state.

"And I get a parking pass and my wife and daughter get to attend the games," Balding said. "It's a good deal."

He vividly remembers Shoji's coaching attributes of some 35 years ago — the precise teachings and seemingly innate ability to adjust tactics instantly to break down an opponent.

"I think that's not a quality that a lot of coaches have," Balding said. "To be able to do that on the run, synthesize it and make an adjustment ... it is a gift. I know it's one I don't have."

Balding, a 5-foot-8 hitter who won an NCAA title at Pepperdine on a team full of Hawai'i players, gives gifts in other areas.

Shoji sees him gravitating toward the Rainbow Wahine defense and affecting attitude as well as skill.

"If our defense looks like Peter it will be pretty active," Shoji said. "He's the type who doesn't want that ball to be on the floor. He'll demand that of our players."

Balding sees himself more as a "filler" on the staff, willing to listen and learn, provide feedback and train on any corner of the court. He says Shoji remains "defensive-minded" and that trait defines his teams "in terms of attitude," particularly the four that won national titles.

"It's a defensive mindset and it is one of heart," Balding said. "It's the attitude that no one will put anything down on our side of the court without two or three people laying out and having to wipe the floor after. We'll just deny that to you.

"I'm not sure the last two years that transferred over to this group, but what I've seen the last five days is the Wahine of old. A lot of heart and effort goes into it. They are denying each other any ball hitting the floor. I think that may be something that I can help him with."

Less than a week into his first collegiate practices, what has made the most dramatic impact on Balding is the 'Bows' ability to sustain a high level of training for a long period.

"They can go 2 1/2 hours in the morning and 3 more in the afternoon and they are able to sustain it pretty well," Balding said. "I don't want to say I'm surprised at that, it's just kind of fun to be around that. You see people wanting to improve and push each other."

When school starts, Balding will go back to the little people he teaches at Punahou and enjoy his other life, in a very different atmosphere. The kids will be impressed not at all by who he hangs out with in the afternoons and evenings.

A decade ago, Balding might have leapt at an opportunity to coach volleyball for a living. Now he is content, and extremely happy, teaching 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds full time while moonlighting in Manoa.

"The kindergarten kids give me hugs, they're always smiling, having a good time," Balding said. "Even when they're not, it's short-lived and they get right back to having fun."