UC Irvine's Chai adds more than numbers

"People ask me why I do it," said Chai, who also coaches girls in the Fountain Valley-based Team Complete Athlete club volleyball program. "But volleyball is a big part of my life and I really enjoy the game. And with John being the head coach, I get to enjoy spending time with a good buddy of mine."

Speraw is among those who marvel at Chai's dedication.

"We don't pay him much, and he drives a lot, but he does it because he loves the game and he's a good friend," Speraw said. "He's gregarious, he has a great perspective, and he's a pleasure to have on the bench."

Chai has earned the respect and friendship of the players, to whom he dispenses near-equal amounts of playing tips, good-natured ribbing and unyielding support.

"The guy is so spunky, he's a good character to have around," said senior Matt Webber, who earned first-team All-American honors while helping UCI reach the NCAA semifinals and finish 27-5 last season.

"He likes to joke around and he's a funny guy," said sophomore Brent Asuka, the national newcomer of the year as a freshman libero last year. "He can rip guys and guys can rip him. He can be serious when he's helping us out with video, but mostly, he likes to laugh."

Laughter may be his most valued contribution, Speraw said.

"He's gregarious and he has got a great laugh," Speraw said. "You can hear Robby laughing all the way down the street and you know he's coming. And that's always a good thing."

Chai said he is not afraid to be the target of humor, as when assistant coaches Mark Presho and David Kniffin frequently instruct the public address announcer to introduce him before road matches as "Robby the Chai guy."

"We get a kick out of that," Webber said Chai's unique introduction. "When it happens, everyone on the bench is usually laughing."

Chai, though focused on pregame preparation, said he is happy to amuse.

"It usually catches me off guard, because the P.A. announcer is the last thing I'm thinking about when we're getting ready for a match," Chai said. "But if it puts a smile on our guys' faces and it helps get them fired up, I'm all for it."

As Chai says, whatever he can do to help.