Adolpho making strides in return to basketball

Asked about players who have taken leadership for the Rainbow Wahine basketball team over the first two weeks of practice, head coach Laura Beeman rattled off a list of familiar names.

“Destiny King is doing a great job stepping up,” Beeman said. “Bri Harris is having great moments of stepping up. Ashleigh Karatiiana, doing a good job.”

Along with the returnees from last year’s 23-9 team, Beeman also noted the progress of center Kalei Adolpho in her comeback from a season away from basketball.

“Kalei has really made great strides and we’re just excited to have her back and have a full year for her,” Beeman said.

Adolpho got off to late starts her first three years at UH, joining the basketball team after completing the season with the Wahine volleyball team. Last year, she devoted her focus to her senior year with the volleyball team with the intention of finishing her basketball career this season.

So for the first time, Adolpho will have a full run-up to basketball season and her play in the post has caught Beeman’s eye in the team’s early practices.

“It’s made a difference for her to have a preseason. She looks different,” Beeman said. “Having someone for a full preseason and getting the chemistry instead of waiting for December is a big difference.”

Adolpho will suit up with the Green team on Friday when the Rainbow Wahine will make their on-court debut in their Green-and-White scrimmage at the Stan Sheriff Center. The scrimmage is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

The scrimmage will be preceded by an ice cream social and a question-and-answer session for season-ticket holders.

Beeman plans to spend the scrimmage roaming the arena thanking fans for their support while associate coach Mary Wooley and assistant coach Alex Delanian coach the teams.

The scrimmage will give the Wahine a chance for the Wahine to adjust to playing 10-minute quarters under game-like conditions with officials on the floor.

The scrimmage and UH’s exhibition against UH Hilo next Wednesday also provide opportunities for the Wahine newcomers to acclimate to the game night routines.

“They need to be under the lights, they need to be on the court, they need to feel how the game flows,” Beeman said. “They need to practice being in a game day situation.”

And given the steamy conditions in UH’s practice gyms, just the chance to work in the Sheriff Center is a welcome respite for the team.

“It’s been miserable in Gym I and Gym II,” Beeman said. “It’s so hot. It’s slippery. So when we come in here we’ve got really good energy and we’ve gotten better that days we’ve been on the Stan Sheriff Center Floor.

“It’s nice to come into an air conditioned building and not slip around. We’ve had some really good practices, we’ve had some flat practices as well, but overall pretty pleased with where we are.”

UPDATE: Beeman said sophomore forward Dalayna Sampton is back home taking care of a personal matter and will be back next week. Sophomore guard Jasmine Redmond is no longer on the roster and has decided to pursue other opportunities. She will finish off the semester at UH.

Here are the rosters for Friday’s scrimmage:

GREEN
4 Briana Harris (PG, 5-7, Jr.)
10 Sarah Toeaina (G, 5-11, So.)
22 Ashleigh Karaitiana (G, 6-0, Sr.)
21 Lahni Salanoa (F, 5-11, Fr.)
32 Kalei Adolpho (C, 6-1, Sr.)
12 Leah Salanoa (F, 5-10, Fr.)
00 Briana Kennedy (C, 6-3, Jr.)
Assistant coach Alex Delanian

WHITE
20 Olivia Crawford (G, 5-5, Fr.)
3 Marissa Wimbley (G, 5-5, Sr.)
34 Destiny King (G/F, 5-9, Sr.)
31 Megan Huff (C, 6-3, So.)
33 Connie Morris (C, 6-4, Sr.)
2 Andie Easley (G, 5-9, Fr.)
Associate coach Mary Wooley