Friday checkin, top 25 scores
Hawaii drove down from SLO to UCSB today, worked out at Goleta Beach while waiting to check into the hotel work out at the Thunderdome this evening.
Thank you coach Ah Mow-Santos for first photo, trainer Renae for the second and third
in case you missed the final update from Thursday
7) Stanford def. 26) Colorado 18-25, 25-12, 25-19, 25-18
8) Hawaii def. Cal Poly 25-17, 25-19, 25-18
12) BYU def. Santa Clara 25-19, 25-22, 23-25, 25-14
30) San Diego def. San Francisco 25-19, 25-19, 25-14
Big West’s highlight video on link below is the final part of the UCI match with Taylor interview
http://www.bigwest.org/sports/wvball/
Not sure how much I’ll be on today. Will be covering Wahine basketball’s season opener tonight.
Stay dry. It is wet on Oahu.
Thanks Cindy, as soon as you said Kamana’o I thought of her perfect jump back set in my mind. She never bothered to look because she knew where the ball was going. I hope Norene will be that type of setter.
thank you for providing this… it didn’t work – any one else know if the replay / footage is on youtube? thx!
pretty crappy weather out there… stay safe all!
57. The good news is that you can still watch the replay on the following website:
http://www.bigwest.org/story.asp?story_id=16070
Note: you might want to push the red bar to about an hour after the start to skip warmups and senior night ceremony as the match started later. Good luck viewing.
It’s a big jump from high school to college thousands of miles from home, let alone to playing at a high level in any Div I NCAA sport, for anyone. On top of that, setting requires adjusting to the team and the coach and the opposition, not them adjusting to you. I’ve no doubt that Iosia will be good, but please give the kid a break and moderate early expectations. I’d hope she’d be allowed to adapt to college life and studies, the team, the coaching, the competition, and being away from home before fans start expecting her to do anything more than practice and develop her freshman year. Tayler and Kendra, barring injury, should both be excellent next year and completely in synch with the team and coaches, and what it takes to perform well all season and into the playoffs.
Good points noblesol, sometimes I get carried away and forget the big picture.
2. Mei, Mei, sorry you couldn’t watch the video. It still works for me as I tried this morning. So you couldn’t even get the red bar to advance an hour to the start of the match? What exactly didn’t work for you? No video showed up? (By the way, I am also Cal Poly alumni relocated to the Big Island).
3, Noblesol, what you said about Norene Iosia shows that you are a noble soul indeed. Right on, let’s not put undue pressure on Norene. It takes time to adjust. It will be nice to have a third backup setter in case one is injured. It takes pressure off the second backup setter, so I wouldn’t redshirt her, just give her plenty of time to learn and catch up and wait till she is truly needed.
So who do you predict as all-conference ? Nikki, Olivia, Higgins ?, Maglio ? Kahakai ?
2 & 5, if you get it to load, it does take a while to buffer in the background to move the bar. I loaded the page last night so it would buffer this morning and I could watch the first set (missed b/c of traffic). Just checked and it seems to be fine, not sure if that’s because I loaded it last night?
Anyway if you want to see the senior festivities, advance to 55 minutes. Hope this helps.
Unless Iosia can beat out Shoji’s favorite, Higgins, she should redshirt in 2016 and save a year–giving Shoji 5-years security at that position. Kendra is an all-conference type setter according to VB/TV sources. Not to start is one smack in the face. Than to share reserve time with a frosh is a double whammie. Like the ESPN3 crew said, Koelsch would be a starter on most good programs. She is that good.
P.S. Thank you, Cindy, for the reply about senior nights in yesterday’s thread. It’s cool to think part of a Hawaii tradition is influencing other schools, and honoring seniors on opposing sides of the court is a positive gesture among conference-mates.
Great win – not all that exciting but very gratifying. Shoji’s pacing before the match made you feel uncomfortable. However, players were chatting with each other from the get go with high energy unlike the lackluster starts of the recent matches. No hard riding of the players tonight as team finally got the message and were mentally focus to execute – and did so fabulously. Team blocked low and tight waiting for Mustangs hitters to commit first before jumping low to knock ball down. Mary Shoji was talking to Lisa’s twin sister Kelly at the break and we all felt bad for her daughter Adlee Van Winden as UH served her tough all night. Two local coaches sat behind us and were in awe that wahines were “touching everything”. Each senior player got a framed souvenir of their jersey with three small photo inserts in bottom – pretty cool!
Youtube link to the Poly match. It’s lengthy so I hope it’s correct.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL1BhfsF1896N7vWZc3EOUQOAAlhMC&v=QW5lQ2QXoOU
8. we’ve often said the Koelsch could start at a lot of places. She was a last-minute edition to the indoor team when the younger Goodman retired. So she came in with no expectations of replacing the returning starter. When you think about it, she was a gift because wasn’t recruited for the indoor team.
Don’t know why some continue to project their feelings of what they consider a face smack when Koelsch doesn’t feel that way.
At least that’s what she has said to me and I find her to be very honest.
What happens next year happens next year.
Shoji has made it pretty clear that Higgins is the top setter so if you call that favoritism so be it. He’s also continued to say that Koelsch is very valuable, gives the team a needed spark.
She has accepted her role with grace and continues to work hard to help the team however she can.
Borrowed a photo from Ah Mow-Santos with team on the beach today. Scroll up to original post.
Cindy… would you happen to know if Kendra will be playing Beach Volleyball this year?
#12. Cindy, right on point. Have no clue why some want to generate controversy when none exists between the players themselves.
#8. If Norene will help the team next year, even as the 3rd setter, she will play. Both she and Tayler can help with their serves alone, and will give the team another weapon.
Competition in conference will be much tougher next year. LBS has added 4 very good recruits, including a 6′ 4″ MB from China, to their returnees. If there is a key spot for them, it is if their fr. setter can fill the key open spot in their lineup. UCSB will be very tough with 3 capable pin hitters at outside and OPP. Cal Poly returns all their key players. Irvine will also be much better. Expect Davis and Northridge will also be tough.
No one will go through conference unbeaten next year. Hopefully, as these teams will be improved, they schedule better OOC and everyone’s rpi is improved.
people like to dramatize situations, even when the reality is there is none, makes for good TV (uh, I mean blogging) As for iosia redshirting cause Higgins going be a senior, than Kendra being the following year senior setter, I’m pretty sure if iosia comes in and makes the team better, the ultimate goal is to win a NC, so it will again make for good TV. I still think despite losing OMG and TMO, next year is the wahines year. GO BOWS
12.
I agree. It’s seems pretty obvious that both ladies have accepted and embraced their roles on the team. Not to mention both are best friends and support each other when either are on the court. I think the fact that they share roles as the setter makes this team better. They both have their strengths and also strengthen what the other may lack.
#12 Cindy right on with your comments. Unfortunately the team can only play 6 starters so we should be happy that our reserves are just as good when called upon. This is why the team is so strong.
I doubt Shoji plays favortism when selecting his starters.
#12 Just bc you gift wrap your package w bow and ribbons–it still does not sell its contents. Most of your color is heresay and subjective. Shoji plays favorites and we will be hard pressed to get pass the second round with an average setter wearing a bullseye on her forehead. Im rooting for the wahine as passionately as you and my thoughts are shared by many. Most fans just want the best on the court so the team has the best of chances to advance. JMO.
I think Dave will go with the setter he thinks will give him the best chance at winning. If Iosia’s connection with her hitters is better than Higgin’s then I assume he’ll go with her. He wants to win another championship, so I don’t think he’ll let sentimentality get in the way of that. He only has a few years left at UH.
Of course, Tayler and Kendra can improve over the summer. And, Iosia may not transition over to college ball as smoothly as we expect.
#20. Hearsay, or heresy? And, your preferences are not subjective? GMAB.
Any update on Annie’s availability for the postseason, which begins in two weeks? She was injured Oct. 17 in the Irvine match.
Hearsay. You need to research the word and apply it to the host alleged convo with Kendra. That is 100% hearsay. Yes I am subjective, but Im not the host, just a fan. Certainly a thinker, unlike you.
How they perform and how far this team goes in the tournament will settle the ongoing debates for me. I always look forward to the opportunity to read everyone’s point of view, which is better than having little or no interest at all. One could always argue we should be glad we get as far as we do with our geography, etc., etc., but imo, we can and should always expect more. Case in point, this years team and the improvement everyone sees. As a player, I can’t see why you would be thinking anything less than getting to the final four. Or else, why play the game? As to Koelsch, imo, it is tough on anyone to be asked to step in a match cold and be expected to perform well. So kudos to her attitude for the team. Hypothetically, one could argue what the setter controversy might be right now, had Koelsch started and played most of the minutes this season. At the end of the day, it is a team game. And whether Higgins starts or not, she also should be willing to accept her role.
there is no “I” in teiam! ??? anyway, why would coach shoji not want to win it all, and do whatever it took to do so? some peoples arguments just make no sense, but we all know that some just play devils advocate to make things interesting, and stir the pot, and that what makes this blog good fun. go bows!
Maybe the reason there is a setter debate for a lot of fans is because of how the team did when Higgins was out with her injury? And, as to Shoji and his decisions to play some players over another, should we ask ourselves why people, generally speaking, second guess anything, for that matter? Finally, as to our HC and his style of coaching, demeanor, his interactions with players, etc., does anyone see any apparent differences compared to say, Russ Rose or John Dunning? And, this is NOT intended to make anything personal.
There are more important issues in everyone’s lifetime. NaWahine volleyball is just a game to entertain me in a small percentage of my life. I take all entertaining opinions like a grain of salt.
Let’s see, team is 25-1. Just had a great game on the road. Things are looking pretty good for the playoffs and next year too. Coaches and players and most fans are happy and looking forward to the next game. So, time for the sour grapes crew to gripe about the starting setter? Really? What’s really going on here? I don’t buy anymore that it has anything to do with actual performance on the court. Shoji has done a good job at rotating setters and seems to be perfecting it based on last night’s performances, the setters are obviously good with how they are being used, the team is obviously good with the results, and the majority of the fans are loving it. The rest of the conference is obviously unhappy they’ve been getting their clocks cleaned by how Shoji is managing games against them. So, who are the sour grapes crowd aligned with here?
instead of sour grapes, kind of like saying “winning the national championship would have been just a big hassle anyway”?
Splish-splash here with the rain and ponding, looks like the team made the most of sunnier beach weather today. Sending them best wishes for tomorrow.
14. don’t know if Koelsch is planning to play beach or not. I know that she surprised Hall when she decided not to the first day of scheduled practice last spring, saying she wanted to concentrate on indoor.
I don’ know how many of the indoor players actually will make the Top 5 teams that will compete. UH has been moving towards separate teams with little cross over. Hall said Manu-Olevao may come out. Have mentioned before that they expect Taylor, Guinasso, Anderson, Maglio, Castillo to vie for top-5 teams. don’t know if Kahakai, who was quite the junior beach player, will give it a shot now that her knee is better.
20. hardly hearsay when I was told first hand by Koelsch. not sure what ‘most of your color’ is supposed to mean. I’m not making up quotes. so it isn’t hearsay because I heard it. if you choose to take the quotes at face value then you are supporting hearsay.
If you read the feature I did on her earlier in the season, those were HER words. not subjective. Spent a lot of time with all the players while in Europe, particularly Koelsch because she was injured and we’d talk when on the sidelines of matches.
23. Not sure how many times I have to post this but
Annie will be re-evaluated on Monday. When I last spoke with her SHE said the timetable hadn’t changed, that it was supposed to be the week of the NCAA tourney fist round.
24. you wrote heresy, perhaps auto correct.
so are you saying that all the quotes used in every story ever written in the paper or on the internet is hearsay? Do I have to start posting the audio tapes of my interview before you’ll believe it was said? wow.
early top 20 (or 30 ’cause that’s what Rich Kern sends)
2) Washington def. Oregon 19-25, 25-21, 29-27, 25-21
14) Florida def. LSU 25-22, 25-20, 25-13
17) Louisville def. Clemson 25-20, 25-14, 25-19
20) Florida State def. Wake Forest 25-12, 25-19, 22-25, 25-16
21) Western Kentucky def. Marshall 25-22, 24-26, 25-14, 25-13
27) SMU def. UConn 25-15, 25-21, 25-19
28) Arkansas State def. Georgia Southern 25-20, 25-22, 26-24
anyway added 2 more photos from beach workout at Goleta, last two courtesy of trainer Renae.
24. one last thing then I really have to get to wahine basketball
Your rude, crude acronym was deleted, as others have been.
Direct quote from me, you have been warned.
34. Some people don’t like being corrected. Readers/bloggers need to realize that there is a difference between fact and opinion.
39. also a lot of trust involved. Trust that the reporters who quote coaches and athletes are truthful and accurate when doing so. Which is why I tape my interviews.
We the fans can have our opinion and comments. The HC has the final say. Humans are creature of habits and very difficult to break habits the longer you live. One’s perspective is a habit are formed from our experiences and we tend to continue that outlook due to our human brains. It is a fact that the older one gets the harder it is to break a habit or that perspective that we view through our eyes.
Shoji has certain tendencies as a coach and has the ability to create a winning team. His habits has created his team to usually win their conference and usually over the years get ousted in the 2nd or 3rd game of the NCAA tournament.
The biggest change in his perspective or habit has been to recruit taller front line players. It took many years for him to change that perspective. With that change it might just make for a different outcome like winning a national championship once again.
Cindy, thank you for the added information about the Wahine outlook for beach. It would be cool if some of the possibles you mention also vie for spots this spring. I’ve really enjoyed our seniors and am glad maybe there’s not a final goodbye yet for one of them. (I respect Magill’s desire to graduate, and 19 credits is a serious workload next semester, so wish her all the best with that.
Anyway, I’m curious how the pairings are determined, is it the coach(es)? And/or do players get input?
You mention that UH has been moving toward more separation between indoor and beach. Are contributing factors the students’ credit loads and impact of travel on their time for academics and class/lab? Or is it more the physical wear and tear, or some other general factor, like the players’ own preference for one or the other?
Thanks.
40 No issue with fans’ options. Draw the line when vulgarity is involved.
IMHO the lost in some of the early rounds because they got jobbed in the bracket. Several times the second round match should have been played in the third or fourth round.
And as documented on a previous thread, several times they had match point and ended up losing in five.
Shoji has gone after taller players. the difference is they’ve decided to play for Hawaii lately.
No doubt Kendra is very important to the success of the wahine.
41. as for beach pairings, coaches determine the pairings. but the UH teams you’ll see in next week’s PacRim won’t necessarily be ones you’ll see in spring only because players like Taylor will be back.
all of the reason you mention play a part in why they’re looking to field two separate teams. it’s asking a lot for athletes to play two sports, lots of wear and team, Plus there is a move to have a fall preseason for beach volleyball which eliminates the indoor players from participating.
#40. Not quite a change in Coachʻs “perspective.” He has tried to recruit taller players before, but they chose to go elsewhere, e.g. to Oregon, Nebraska, etc. And, local recruits tend to be shorter, although there are some ecxeptions.
More recently, there seem to be more taller recruits in recruiting classes. Next year, LBS will likely be taller than us.
Updating with more scores, some a repeat
1) USC def. Arizona 25-14, 25-22, 22-25, 25-20
2) Washington def. Oregon 19-25, 25-21, 29-27, 25-21
7) Stanford def. Utah 25-19, 25-15, 25-18
14) Florida def. LSU 25-22, 25-20, 25-13
17) Louisville def. Clemson 25-20, 25-14, 25-19
20) Florida State def. Wake Forest 25-12, 25-19, 22-25, 25-16
21) Western Kentucky def. Marshall 25-22, 24-26, 25-14, 25-13
23) Arizona lost to USC 14-25, 22-25, 25-22, 20-25
27) SMU def. UConn 25-15, 25-21, 25-19
28) Arkansas State def. Georgia Southern 25-20, 25-22, 26-24
32) Creighton def. Georgetown 23-25, 26-28, 30-28, 26-24, 15-7
Big West
Long Beach State def. CSU Fullerton 25-1t, 25-19, 25-19
UC Riverside at CSUN, Highlanders up 2-1 but looking like Matadors will take Set 4 and push it to 5
be back much later. have to do Wahine basketball
HOW UH’s NONCONFERENCE OPPONENTS FARED AS THE REGULAR SEASON IS ALMOST READY TO CALL IT A WRAP (all scores / standings are prior to this Saturday’s and Sunday’s matches)
UH played 10 nonconf. opponents, and 5 of these are from confs. with a conf. tournament and 5 of these are from confs. without a conf. tournament.
Of the 5 from confs. with a tournament, 4 of UH’s opponents were seeded either #1 or #2 (Seed No. 1 American, Seed No. 2 CSU Bakersfield, Seed No. 2 Idaho, and Seed No. 1 or No. 2 Wichita State).
Of the 5 from confs. without tournaments. 2 (Florida and UCLA) are ending the regular-conf. season in the Top 3 or Top 4 of their Power5 league standings and thus will be awarded an at-large bid and possible Top 16 seed. Unfortunately, the other 3 (Oregon St, Iowa, and San Diego St) are in contention to be listed in their league’s 2015 “bottom feeders” or “bottom half-ers.”
(Part 1)
American … Seed No. 1 American (26-6, 17-0) vs. Seed No. 4 Colgate in Semifinals #1, Seed No. 2 Army West Point vs. Seed No. 3 Lehigh in Semifinals #2 on 11/21 with Patriot League Championship for NCAA automatic qualifier on 11/22.
CSU Bakersfield … Seed No. 2 Bakersfield (13-14, 10-4) advanced to the WAC Finals for the 3rd year a row and will take on Seed No. 1 New Mexico State (26-5, 14-0) on 11/21 for the automatic invite (CSUB’s only chance) to the Big Dance.
Eastern Washington … Seed No. 6 E. Washington (14-14) won the first two sets then collapsed to end its season to Seed No. 3 Idaho St on 11/19 in a Big Sky Tournament Quarterfinal match. See Idaho below.
Florida … SEC Standings (13-team SEC does not have a conf. tournament):
1. Texas A&M (20-6, 13-2) vs Florida on 11/22, Missouri on 11/25, Arkansas on 11/28
2. Missouri (24-4, 12-3) vs. Ole Miss on 11/22, Texas A&M on 11/25, South Carolina on 11/27
3. Florida (21-5, 13-4) vs. Texas A&M on 11/22, LIU-Brooklyn (nonconference match) on 11/27
Idaho … Seed No. 2 Idaho (14-16) lost to Seed No. 3 Idaho St in one of the Semifinals and with that lost saw its 2015 campaign come to an end. … Seed No. 1 Northern Arizona (27-4), winner of the other Semifinals, will be meeting Seed No. 3 Idaho St (23-9) on 11/21 for the Big Sky Championship crown and the automatic bid to the Big Show.
(Part 2)
Iowa (12-17, 2-14 Big Ten) … With its 1-3 LOST to Ohio St on 11/18, Iowa’s 2015 season ended but can still play for respect (if they have any left) … Last Stand: 11/21 Northwestern, 11/25 Maryland, 11/28 Michigan St … Big Ten Standings (14-team Big Ten does not have a conf. tournament):
1. Minnesota (24-3, 16-1) vs Purdue on 11/21, Ohio St on 11/25, Indiana on 11/28
2. Nebraska (23-4, 14-3) vs Michigan on 11/21, Illinois on 11/25, Penn St on 11/28
3. Penn St (24-4, 13-4) vs Maryland on 11/21, Northwestern on 11/25, Nebraska on 11/28
3. Wisconsin (21-6, 13-4) vs Ohio St on 11/22, Rutgers on 11/25, Purdue on 11/28
5. Purdue (21-7, 12-5) vs Minnesota on 11/21, Michigan St on 11/25, Wisconsin on 11/28
6. Ohio St (22-7, 11-6) vs Wisconsin on 11/22, Minnesota on 11/25, Rutgers on 11/28
7. Illinois (18-10, 9-8) vs Indiana on 11/21, Nebraska on 11/25, Michigan on 11/27
8. Michigan (18-10, 8-9) vs Nebraska on 11/21, Indiana on 11/25, Illinois on 11/27
(Minnesota needs just 1 more win to clinch a share of the league title; it is probable that at least 7 of the remaining 13 Big Ten teams will be awarded an at-large bid to the NCAA Championship.)
Oregon St (5-23, 3-15 Pac-12) … With just a couple of teams remaining in their 2015 schedule, Oregon State’s STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE IS THE 6TH TOUGHEST IN THE NATION, according to the NCAA; never mind their RPI of 143 and never mind if their chance of postseason inclusion is 0% (and this has been the case for weeks now) because the coaches and players and fans can boast that the Beavers played a schedule truly worthy of one of the nation’s top S0S teams of 2015 … Last Stand: 11/25 Arizona, 11/27 (“Civil War” match) Oregon.
San Diego St (10-19, 7-9 MWC) … Last Stand: 11/21 San Jose St, 11/24 Nevada … Standings: San Diego St currently stands 6th in the 11-team Mountain West Conference, which does not have a conf. tournament … Colorado St (23-3, 16-0) has earned the MW automatic bid to the NCAA tournament (CSU’s 21st consecutive trip to the postseason).
UCLA … UCLA is 15-1 in matches away from Westwood, with the only loss coming at Washington on 11/01 … Standings (Pac-12 does not have a conf. tournament):
1. USC (28-1, 16-1) vs. Arizona St on11/22, UCLA on 11/25, California on 11/27
2. Washington (26-2, 16-2) vs Utah on 11/25, Washington St on 11/28
3. Stanford (20-6, 14-4) vs California on 11/25, UCLA on 11/27
4. UCLA (22-5, 13-4) vs Arizona on 11/22, USC on 11/25, Stanford on 11/27
5. Arizona St (19-9, 8-9) vs USC on 11/22, Oregon on 11/25, Arizona on 11/27
5. Colorado (16-13, 8-9) vs California on 11/21, Washington St on 11/25, Utah on 11/27
7. Oregon (14-13, 8-10) vs. Arizona St on 11/25, Oregon St on 11/27
8. Arizona (17-12, 7-10) vs UCLA on 11/22, Oregon St on 11/25, Arizona St on 11/27
Wichita St … Wichita St (23-8, 14-3) was shocked by SIU: Southern Illinois University (23-7, 14-3) on 11/20 … Last Stand: Wichita St plays Evansville and SIU takes on Missouri St on 11/21 prior to the start of the MVC tournament … Seed No. 1 or No. 2 SIU (first-round bye) in Semifinals #1 and Seed No. 1 or No. 2 Wichita St (first-round bye) in Semifinals #2 on 11/27 … Finals of Missouri Valley Championship on 11/28 to determine which school receives the league’s automatic berth into the NCAA Championship.
Wow everyone got great points. That is what I call hard core fans! # 40 love your accessment of how finally we have been able to recruit the taller athletes that always would elude us for the major conferences. It is always such an asset to have depth like this 25-1 team. We can never control that taller athlete that decides to transfer for her final 2 or 3 years to start elsewhere. It would be just sad to see that athlete that transferred be the key to that team she transferred to become a National Championship! (Just talking story)
The photo taken of our 2015 BIG West Champions
after the UC Irvine match minus Annie painted a million words of joy!
40. I honestly don’t believe he changed his perspective about recruiting taller players. Finally a bunch of them signed.
He saw that first hand when Michigan State wore down the then undefeated Wahine in 95 with size. That and they used the then Big Ten format that Hawaii was unfamiliar with. which was Technical Timeouts at 5 and 10. If I remember correctly, UH was ahead at all of those TTOs and it hurt their momentum. Also first time they did the 10 minute break after Set 2. Shoji still doesn’t like that.
Not that anyone cares but CSUN beat UCR in 5.
need to put things into perspective, Hawaii is the only college not from a power conference in the top 10 polls, imagine if that were true in the other sports, football, basketball, etc, no way, right? back when Hawaii won their national titles, woman’s volleyball was a far different landscape as it is today, less teams (dominated by the west teams) athletes were not bigger, stronger, faster, as todays players. now got over 300 teams thru out the US competing for the national championship but Hawaii, year in year out is still relevant in the polls.
Its just that it is much harder now to get to the top of the mountain as before. We in Hawaii, really love our volleyball because the early success sort of spoiled us to how top level volleyball should be played, and kudos to coach shoji, who sort of brought that upon himself and the program. I wish we had this problem in the other sports also, being contenders every year. anyway, keep complaining, but keep supporting the team, cause as least you care. go bows!
Cindy if he knew that from 1995, height is a key factor, it has been 20 years now that he has a team with height, never assembled with the numbers he has this year.
#45 stated he tried and they went elsewhere. It is hard to believe that with the reputation of himself and the program it took this long for him to have the majority of the upfront players being 6’2″ and taller.
It is hard to believe he wanted a taller team and never could bring in those players with the needed height of 6’2″ or taller and only able to have a sprinkling of them.
#54 it not the coach or the program it’s the school facilities. Why would a top recruit choose Hawaii over UCLA, USC , Washington etc. Notice most of our recruits have some ties to the island.
I stand corrected. Number of players 6’2″ or taller.
2000 – 4
2001 – 2
2002 – 5
2003 – 7
2004 – 6
2005 – 6
2006 – 5
2007 – 5
2008 – 2
2009 – 4
2010 – 5
2011 – 3
2012 – 3
2013 – 3
2014 -4
2015 -5
He had years with a good number of players with that height. The years that he had 5 or more players with that height not more than 50% were starters. Many of the starters were 6′ or less. This year the majority of these taller players, 3 starters and 1 key sub are the majority. 6’1″ and 6″ starters are the minority.
He did recruit height couldn’t get the better athletes. The majority 6’2″ or taller were not the starters and being the starters in many years were 6′ or less couldn’t help to think he wanted a smaller and quicker team.
Wahine made the final four with the following with respect to height in the starting positions.
2000 – 3 starters
2002 – 3 to 4 starters
2003 – 4 to 5 starters
2009 – 1 – 2 starters
Reflecting back on history it does appear the Wahine has a very good chance of getting to the final four. Hope it all works out and maybe they will win it all. Go get-um Wahine.
Doug is exactly right, if The U. of Hawaii had the prestige and the facilities, not to mention the athletic budgets of Stanford, USC, UCLA, Penn. State, and etc., Dave would have been able to recruit against anyone. That is why that what he has been able to accomplish is so phenomenal. Things have come together so far this year but that is because the best volleyball coach on the planet and his staff have worked their tails off.
58. Shoji and staff have been working their tails off for 41 years. It’s in his character, and that rubs off on his staff and players. My feeling is this year is a bit different, NaWahine seems to be peaking as of late and at the right time. After losing the first set to Davis they seemed to have turned the corner and really have come on strong. The demolishing of Cal Poly at their house, is the lastest exclamation point of their quality of high level play. Hope they keep peaking against the dink queens and into the NCAAs.
You know what is interesting is that when Nikki plays beach, her body does not look like it is taking a beating like it does indoor. I know its sand and it’s softer, but still. She seems like she is in less pain when she plays on the beach. Hopefully that is still the case this year and that she continues to take it to another level for next year!!
I also do believe that if Norene can make a difference for us next year, she should play. But if it is basically just a back up role with some play in the 20’s or so, I would hope she would redshirt. Would love to have her set for a solid 4 years, ala Kamana’o. Because I think she will be a Kamana’o/Carlini type setter where she will take this team to another level just because of her skills alone.
47, 48… Not sure how you had time to do this but MAHALO it sure gives us a perspective value on key out of conference matches hawaii took early on. I thought Iowa gave us some trouble but they are currently ranked 13 of 14 teams in the BTN thats a WoW for me. Florida is #3 in the SEC, and UCLA who beat us is 4th or the last team in the upper third of the PAC 12. Everyone says we’ve gotten so much better since UCLA but our primary measuring stick is the current Big West sweep (so far). IMO the Big West is still really the Big West. I’m hoping we go far …. well at least past the sweet 16 which we’ve been having problems in doing lately or the horn blowers will be about tooting loud on how we’re playing our bench correctly. How well we do this year will be the great “silencer”. So, we shall see. (fingers crossed).
#59 Totally agree. Was a little concerned at beginning of the season when the players looked super fit, and feared that they may peak too early. However, watching them recently, they physically, emotionally, and mentally looked just right. Based on players comments, there appear to be the right level of maturity in the leadership of this team that is helping pace the team. Hoping we get a fair draw in the tournament and of course a little luck.
The Gauchos are one of my favorite teams but they have been slammed this season with the loss of libero Ali Spindt, and early season ending injuries to top gun Hoffman and super frosh Ruddins, and on-going issues with their go to player Ali Barbeau. Hated to see this very scrappy defensive oriented team that plays like the wahines team of old, end their season this way.
54.Guess I could suggest that you look it up because they’ve had height before (but you already did). But just because they went after height doesn’t mean that height wanted to play for UH.
Bottom line height does not always equal talent.
56. thanks for taking the trouble to do that. Think people are making a bigger deal that it is the tallest team Hawaii has ever had than it need to be. They’ve had height before. No one seemed to focus on it before.
But agree with a number of comments. The facilities outside of the Sheriff Center, weight room and some of the other sports venues, are sub-par. As one coach said to me, he has a specific route when he takes a recruit around upper campus, knows what buildings and areas to avoid. The outsides of some of the buildings have been repainted but the insides … linoleum from the 50s. Coach said walking into a building was like walking into a hospital.
In UH’s defense, when they have to beg the legislature for money every year, there is no way to plan for maintenance costs because you don’t know if you’ll have the money for them. Then add all the red tape they have to go through to award contracts, no wonder upper campus looks like it does.
As for as academics, UH has several degree programs that are nationally and internationally respected. But still the overall perception is it’s not a ‘name’ school and no prestige to have a degree from the institution.
New thread up for Saturday
http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=34428&action=edit&message=1