No. 25 ASU 3 No. 17 Hawaii 0
Hawaii starting its same lineup as Friday. But expect to see Greeley get more playing time.
ASU will start reserve setter Shannan McCready (Punahou) just so she can get introduced. But they will sub her out before the first whistle.
She’s got a shoulder injury and won’t play.
Nice for the coach to do that. It will cost him a sub for the first set.
COMMENTS
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Wahine need to start much faster each set, cant get behind early and cant let Gardner take over.
Hope to see passi do good tonight. Let’s hope ginger doesn’t take too many swings and manu has a good night too. Go bows! I know you girls can do it. I have faith
Long will have a very tall order, tonight, she will be going up against a 6’4 OH for ASU.
Long doesnt hit against an oh she hits against the setter or opp!! Ugh
Higgins’s sets to Magill need to be spot on tonight, for the Wahine to have a chance. Not to mention the Wahine receiving and passing.
Starting lineup had Kahakai in to start.
5. In other words, the Wahine have to play well.
Bailey on a 5-0 serving run. very tough serves, last one an ace to Mendoza. ASU up 10-5. TO UH
The Wahine receiving and passing breaking down. Mendoza with 2 shanks already on serve/receive. Higgins running all over the court trying to chase down passes.
Let’s go ladies. Get it together
Would not surprise me if Kahakai switches over to Libero in Set 2. Mendoza already got aced 3 times.
11. It would surprise me.
Score update? Sorry live stars not working for me and I’m at work
15-10 ASU
13. You can stream via big west tv for free
On cellphone? That’s all I have right now
don’t know about cellphone
18-14 ASU
Come on ladies. Fight back. Don’t give up
18-17 ASU TO ASU
Tai Manu-Olevao looks like she is on Top of her Game, right now.
I’m so happy tai is improved. Her athleticism is amazing. Go tai and go bows!
Right now ASU’s height advantage is taking control of this Set.
UH has closed to 21-20. TO ASU
Is Greeley in? We need someone tall against asu
21-20 ASU TO ASU
No, Greeley not in yet.
C’mon na wahine you guys look sloppy out there. The setter has to make better decisions. Ginger needs to get out of her head and play… Or sit down. Passing is to tight to the net.
Kendra in for Higgins.
ASU wins 25-21 on a solo block of Gardner on Adolpho.
we’ll see what adjustments they make for Set 2
ASU wins Set 1, 25-21. The Wahine need a Terminator, also need more height. The Wahine lack of height right now hurting them.
Higgins sets have been all over the place. Passing hasn’t helped her either.
Shoji is showing his age. Setting Adolpho on the slide was so predictable. And agains’t Gardner? Not that smart. I would have in the opposite direction or the pipe. Higgins has to be more offensive and dump more often. Awful set.
Greeley starting Set 2, for Long.
Come on girls. Let’s make this a four set victory for hawaii. Hope Greeley comes in
As much as Long has improved, shes no terminator. Wahine needs to take risk and hit hard.
Agreed Higgins is ver predictable and even slow at times.
Greeley in. front row is Greeley, Magill, Pasis.
36 I like this line up, hope it works
Cannot wait till Nikki gets back into the Lineup. Get well quickly Nikki.
Need to set Tai more often, she can do no wrong right now.
Passi with the kill. UH up 15-12 at the TTO
Some really ugly play from both teams.
Passi, hitting a little better, tonight.
15-12 Wahine TV TO
Wahine is a bit more organized on this set, they should take advantage.
Set Greeley…and keep serves in and were good…
ASU 2 consecutive miscues when trying to set a combo on the left. UH up 18-14. TO ASU
18-14 Wahine ASU TO
ASU looks off this set…we need to take advantage of this… Good blocking so far…
What a difference kalei Greeley makes. Nothing against long at all because I’ve been a fan, but Greeley deserves to be starting
if not for a net violations on Greeley, UH would have been up 19-14. instead. ASU got the point and has scored another. it’s 18-16. TO UH
46 she needs more balls her way.
Im not that impressed with ASU tonight if the wahine just clean up the passing which has been a problem , they should win this.
three back to back bonehead plays for wahine to let ASU tie this up, ugh just ugh
What do they do in practice? How do you coach this level of awful?
Greeley is making some errors out there but she has the potential to help more in the long run.
Did Chris say that Kahakai is on an academic scholarship?
51, I don’t know but this is just awful, ASU isn’t even that great. or playing that great.
Passi is a disappointment.
ASU wins 25-23, outscores UH 8-2 down the stretch
Young, inexperienced team. There will be growing pains this year.
I blame the COACH.
They aint that young. Starters. Adolpho, Mendoza, Long and Olevao have been with the team for more than 3 seasons.
Why didn’t Shoji call a timeout?
If the Wahine want to go anywhere this season they need Nikki back, very desperately. With Taylor, Manu-Olevao, and Greeley, they will be just fine. Right now Long, and Passi, hurt the Wahine against tall, good teams.
How come my comments are now “awaiting moderation”?
If this is the result of the training…then he should be blamed. basic volleyball skills are sorely lacking tonight.
Hope Nikki Taylor gets better soon…Lot of fixable mistakes in this match…come on bows…Let’s do this…
Shoji had one more t/o left when it tied at 21.
IDK why it wasnt used. It could have helped calm some nerves. Greeley is obviously very nervous.
It’s like all of the momentum from last night, went out the door. Higgins is not a good setter right now. Mita had a sense of calm Higgins not so much. She looked scared at times. Na wahine need to snap out of it.
Even though Huff is not ready, Shoji should use her, she cannot do any worse then Passi, right now. Either that, or maybe use Long on the Right Side. To bad Shoji is to stubborn to try Kendra on the RS.
Sloppy, sloppy, missed opportunity, missed opportunity…
Adolpho is not being a leader…more like shrinking. Coach better start coaching…. Plan B, Plan C.
Going be a short night for the Wahine. Hurts with Taylor out.
Kahakai the libero
Hope not, ASU isn’t even playing that great, I mean Besides Gardner they have nothing, yet UH is playing even worse.
I am thinking, when Shoji mentioned he would be happy with a 8, or 9, win pre-conference record, I am thinking he was counting ASU and Oregon as loses, with the UCLA match as a touch up.
I would like to see Huff on the right instead of Passi. She is not having a good night tonight. Also start Kolsch as a setter and see what she can do. Magill leads all hitters right now so passing needs to be better at set 3 so they can feed her as much as possible.
They all do look nervous out there…they need that one go-to person like Nikki Taylor to take all the pressure off them…once they play loose they will make less mistakes…but for now, everyone looks too tense…Still got a long season…Let’s Go Bows! Win it in 5…
Kahakai, the Libero in Set 3. Greeley also starting Set 3.
Beauston I agree, haven’t seen much growth from Higgins from last year, she looks about the same, lets see what Koelsch can do, She might be better.
All those Passi and Long supporters who have been bashing Tai just got a quick reality check. It’s easy to overestimate their potential when they aren’t starting. Hawaii is a much better team if they play their game. Aztecs rely far too much on Gardner and play lousy defense.
Megan Huff also starting on the RS, in Set 3.
Huff is in.
Kalei A is not playing well tonight, big bummer.
These service errors are just ridiculous. These aren’t that difficult serves , it’s not like Hartong jump serves.
These service errors will cost them this match…among others
Dave has finally gone with the big lineup. Let’s see how it works.
don’t they practice serving? about 5 in a row..what’s up with that?
these local refs are poop as usual.
Hawaii might as well give the point to ASU during the serves..LoL!! OMG!!
Would love to see Maglio come in for Adolpho. Let the Freshmen play, they cannot do any worse then the veterans.
It must be full moon tonight coz everything is just aint right.
Greeley finally warming up to UH volleyball…potential starter when she gets in rythm…SERVICE ERRORS! is what killed us in the first two sets…Converted to points mand we should have won 3-0…lol
No one can put a ball down.
This Higgins/Magill connection is just disheartening because it should be UH’s biggest weapon. Try Koelsch.
Heck Higgins aint connecting with Adolpho tonight either.
What the heck?
Wahine is done. Surprised Shoji finally called a llllllllooooong overdue t/o.
Goodnight everyone!
Shoji, needs to play all his Freshmen now, cause they are the ones that are going to win him a BWC Championship this year.
6-2 please.
Cindy how come none of my comments get posted? Haven’t said anything problematic.
Not ready for prime time
Need Kendra setting, Higgins becoming a liability at the net.
Keep Kendra in.
Verified my email account. Still nothing. This has happened several times in the past as well.
Just two points come on wahine.
Kendra is fantastic. That dump was amazing
Im noticing to many sets going behind the setter where the hitter has to reach back. Higgins needs to fix that
behind the hitter**
ASU wins 25-23
Lots of problems with Higgins setting tonight,major disappointing loss, this was a very winnable match, extremely winnable ASU did not play well , UH just played worse.
One thing people need to understand, Higgins set in Hawaii where the players are smaller, shorter, do not need to set the ball high. Kendra setting on the Mainland where the players are taller, use to setting the ball higher.
and that blown call by the bonehead ref comes back to bite the wahine in the end.
No one could finish. So many chances, and the Wahine just couldn’t convert. This team desperately needs a terminator and at the moment it doesn’t have one.
Higgins needs a lot of work. Very inconsistent hand and feet work. Setters need to better the ball and she isn’t doing that right now. Setting choices not good either.
She needs to watch some Kanoe Kamanao tapes.
Higgins didn’t play HORRIBLE, but she didn’t play good. But it’s only the second match and I still have high hopes for her. Hope the see Kendra start tomorrow though.
.97
that makes no sense, Higgins is just struggling with her location, to the middles especially. I would start Kendra tomorrow, she just makes things happen when she’s in and she has a lot of upside.
100. No one said she played HORRIBLE. Just that she has things to fix.
I know Greeley starts tomorrow but I say start Kahakai, Koelsch, Huff and hell even Maglio. Id rather have growing pains with freshman’s that are the future than veterans who cant get it done.
After the first two matches I’d start Tai, Greeley, Magill, Adolpho, Kahakai, and Koelsch… Higgins seems too tense and not connecting real well with the middles…Koelsch seems more calm under pressure and seems like she has that excitement that can pump up her team…plus shes taller and can block or put the ball down if need to…Greeley made a lot of errors but I see more up side then Long and Passi…
Shoji NOT happy with the way the veterans played. People could see quite a few Freshmen starting tomorrow against SDSU.
To me, the only veteran that has lived up to all the practice hype is Olevao. Long is a disappointment, so is Passi, and Higgins is just so, so. Time to go with the Freshmen. Remember the Freshmen beat the veterans in one of the last scrimmages. That should not happen.
Steve you put the bachi on the Wahine. This loss is on you not the players or coaches. As soon as I saw your post on the football blog I knew the Wahine were in trouble. To taunt the football team then to say it’s time to watch the Hawaii team that knows how to win the close ones was the kiss of death for the girls.
Scrooge I never said anything said that, was just saying what I thought about the match
I have not seen Kendra practice the last 2 weeks, so hard to say how consistent she is, BUUUUUT she was phenomenal in the moments she was in. I say give this girl a chance. Plus, from what I a hear her blocking could be used. I like Taylor, but Kendra needs to show what she can do. I am a fan of hers. Plus, I like Huff and Greeley as well. This freshman class is outstanding. Greeley, Huff, Kendra and Kahakai. Looking forward to seeing them grow over the next couple years. And Nikki is just a sophomore herself. Good times ahead everyone!
115, agree, then the excuses about being a young team will actually be true. But Koelsch, Greeley and Huff actually looked pretty good and will only get better especially by the time big west seasons comes along.
Long should just be a serving sub and back row attacker, Passi on the bench, she hasn’t shown anything.
*anyone not anything
117. UhFan, I agree with you. Start all the Freshmen, along with Magill. But this match proves how badly this team needs Nikki Taylor. Without Nikki Taylor, it will be a real battle to win the BWC, especially if Shoji keeps being stubborn wanting to play his veterans, instead of the Freshmen.
The Bachi is on the Football Team, once they lost, I got really worried about the Wahine Match.
I love how honest the players are, Tai last night and Olivia tonight. Yes serving was a disaster.
The football team, needs to go away, be gone with, so their bad karma does not rub off on all the other UH Sports Programs.
.129. Just shut up and you go away
The football team played good tonight. Again, stop being a downer.
Serving killed us tonight. We could of EASILY won the last two sets but we crumbled. This is a learning lesson. The wahine will be fine, especially with Taylor
That’s okay Bows…When Nikki gets back, we still have a bright future…we’ll be better at the end of the season when we need to…the NCAA tournament…I see a few freshman starting in the near future…I do think our middles is outstanding, they just wasn’t connecting with the setter…and the service errors are a huge momentum killer…Nikki, Magill, Adolpho, Tai, Greeley, Kahakai, Koelsch… the future final four team right here…very optimistic!
131. Brandon, if Taylor does come back this year. I am starting to really think her injury is more then a strain, feeling it could be more of a rotator cuff injury, and people know what that means.
132 I like your optimism .
I hope this season is the exact opposite of last season. Last season they started amazing and then were a mess at the end. This season they are a mess at the start and hopefully will be amazing at the end.
Steve, you didn’t say you were worried. You said “Now on to watch the Hawaii Team that knows how win the close ones. THE WAHINE VOLLEYBALL TEAM.”
That post followed several other taunts you posted. I n my book you bachied the Wahine.
Growing pains. As is with all teams with new faces. I wan’t to focus on the positives rather than the negatives because I believe there is potential with this group even without Taylor. The freshmen – they’re the future and the future looks bright… Manu Olevao – great improvement from last year and it’s really shocking to say she will be the go-to-hitter until Taylor comes back, and with her play so far, I’m okay with that.
Very disappointed in this new blog so far. None of my comments posted until the match was long over. This has happened in the past as well. Site needs work.
I disagree with Liz and Tsuji , that this team doesn’t have terminators. Kalei A and Olivia ARE terminators, the passing and setting just aren’t there for them.
134…thanx and I agree…I rather be great at the end of the season than at the beginning…
“Bachi” lol! I hadn’t heard that word in a while. I lived in Hawaii from 1986-1991. I live on the mainland in Illinois now. Illinois has a good volleyball team.
Shout-out to Hawaii from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. University of Illinois!
.138 granted Kalei A was a complete disaster tonight, hope she bounces back and is a monster against San Diego State.
Steve you’re known to have used a lot of different names when posting. In your #129 I think you came up with another name you should use – bad karma. I think that names fit you. But no matter what name you post under you will always be steve to me.
I want to see Koelsch set and Higgins serve and play defense a la Dani Mafua and Stephanie Brandt. And I still believe in Passi, just think the setting had a part in her bad showing.
One of the most frustrating things is for the Bows to serve mostly lollipops, especially Tai manu-Olevao, and then serve in the net or out. Except for Higgins Hawaii is not blessed with great servers. In a way I am glad that Tai Manu-Olevao is not playing on Sundays. It will give Long and Passi opportunities to show that they can do the job. We’ll NEED them in the long run. I’m wondering about Huff; she did not show very much power. It could be that the sets were off; we’ll see. Arizona State has a great terminator on the outside; Macey Gardner is one impressive hitter. We’ll see if Nikki Taylor can assume that role when she returns.
I am hoping Dave goes with this starting lineup, Greeley and Long, on the Outside. Long only because he has no alternative, since Tai Manu-Olevao is out. Huff as the RS player. Middles being Magill and Maglio. Setter to be Kendra Koelsch. Samantha Kahakai as the Libero and Sarah Mendoza as the DS. These Freshmen cannot do any worse then the veterans. What Cindy saw in Long, I am really starting to wonder about her knowledge of volleyball, and especially the players.
Tai has shut down all those who wrote her off by showing what she can do on the court. Long and Passi haven’t shown much on the court and they are both juniors so you have to wonder when they live up to their hype. They are both undersized hitters without smarts and finesse. Also the Wahine need more fire and competitiveness out there especially when they get behind. They get meek and erratic. Need to work on that.
146. I hope Cindy bans your a$$ for that lame cheap shot directed at her!!!!
Even though Magill can touch 10’6 or 10’7, it does not mean anything if Higgins cannot set her that high. As low as Higgins is setting Magill, it just makes Magill jump look average, which is not good. Kendra Koelsch will her height can set Magill high to make use of her jumping ability.
145. Kahakai has a pretty good serve, so does Mendoza. Kahakai had an awesome jump serve in high school not sure why she’s not jump serving now. Passi had a great jump serve in junior college too, but we are not seeing it either.
Anyway, this was a frustrating loss and still not over it. If they continue to struggle with outside hitting, it’s time to think outside the box and put Olivia on the outside, she can hit those high balls ala Hooker , although it might take her a while to get it down, Put Maglio in the middle in her place.
Higgins is overhyped. She ain’t that great. I found it so annoying last year when people kept calling on Uiato to be bench and Higgins get the setting job. She’s noisy on the court and some may take that as “taking charge” or “leadership qualities,” but she needs to back it up with location, foot work, set selection and blocking. I say give Koelsch a chance. Long: she’s just not starter material for this kind of team. And Passi is a disappointment two matches in a row. What’s up with Mendoza struggling with reception? I thought she was the “best pure passer” according to Shoji.
I agree with comments that favor starting frosh Kendra, Greely, Huff and Kahakai.
Maglio should see more action too. It just makes sense to play the young talent. Especially Kendra who obviously has game and adds needed height to the front block… Im not dishing the returnees. Just saying what most fans recognize–we have a talented bunch of frosh. Let those with the most potential play.
There is no hype but unfortunately she has not shown much improvement. The thing is just like football the backup QB is always the most popular on struggling teams and Uiato struggled last year too( in conference and post season) so it’s no surprise people wanted the backup in her place.
However I do see flashes of Brilliance from Koelsch, she puts up nice sets to the outside and just does good things whenever she is on the floor.
145. What will pay off more in the long run is for the freshmen to get more experience. Passi has yet to prove she deserves to start and Long just doesn’t terminate enough.
152. Hot, I agree with you. I would be real curious to hear who Robyn Ah-Mow Santos believes should be starting at the setter position. Mendoza does not look comfortable being the Libero, she is more of a DS player. Kahakai looks more comfortable playing Libero. Long will be the weak link, if and when Nikki Taylor returns.
Right now, the only time Long should start on the Outside is on Sunday, when Olevao does not play. Otherwise, it should be Olevao, Greeley, and Huff. If Shoji is not going to use Maglio, why waste a year, redshirt her. If he does not want to redshirt her, then use her in place of Adolpho.
The passing was off tonight handicapping Higgins but the connection between her and Magill just isn’t there and it doesn’t help that she keeps trying to force the middle. Would have liked to see more of what Huff can do but I believe she was only set twice (once on the right and once on the left). If you’re going to play her then set her instead of just forcing the middles.
With the supposed signing of Castillo, Mitchem, and Granato, for next year, the underclassmen this year are playing for starting spots next year. I do know Castillo, and especially, Mitchem will be in the starting lineup next year. Nikki Taylor is guaranteed a starting spot, so the other Outside position, and Right Side position comes down to 3 players, Greeley, Olevao, and Castillo. I am hoping Shoji gives Kendra a true shot at the starting setter position next year, and not just go with Higgins cause she is the veteran.
Here is my prediction for starting lineup by midseason….
OH1 – Nikki Taylor 6’3″
OH2 – Kalei Greeley 6’2″
M1 Kalei Adolpho 6’1″
M2 Olivia Magill 6’1″
Rightside Megan Huff 6’3″
Setter Kendra Koelsch 6’1″
Libero Kahakai
My gut tells me this is a national championship contender this year. Replace Adolpho with Annie Mitchem next year….pretty scary if you ask me. When was the last time Hawaii had all 6 footers in the front line for every rotation?
Taylor Higgins could be a backrow setter, like a 6-2 lineup, but Kendra should be upfront with her height and blocking abilities and her setting does not take a dip from Taylor either.
152 I agree with your comments. I was at the game and very disappointed that Shoji did not let Koelsch set at least one game and see what happened. The Wahine should have won the 2nd and the 3rd game but there were too many errors – hitting, setting, passing etc. But I still love my Wahine – they will be a very good team at the end of the season. GO BOWS!
148. thanks for trying. to defend me but let’s be civil.
137. Casper, don’t know what to tell you. the writers don’t have control over things. Been told that Tsai has lost a whole year or more from the archives.
what what it’s worth, felt the match was win-able. Hawaii made a strong comeback in Set 1 and couldn’t hold the leads in Set 2 and 3. To be expected with a young team that hasn’t had much game time together.
They will get better and when Taylor comes back, they will be.
but for now, there will be growing pains.
It would be nice if people would remember that they are young college athletes and to cut them some slack.
Frustrating night for me as well. tight deadline and computer problems.
don’t have much more to add
Good night.
I my opinion there are 4 players right now who are way over hyped, they are, Long, Passi, Adolpho and Higgins. For a senior Adolpho’s game has never grown, still plays like a freshmen. You would think being a Senior, she would be playing steady but she is far from that.
162. Cindy, are you sure Nikki Taylor will be back this year. The longer she stays out the slimmer her chances of playing this year become. Right now, the earliest she can return to the starting lineup is the beginning of BWC play, not sooner.
160 haleiwacrossfitter, I like your predictions and it is very possible. The team really need Nikki to come back soon. I hope they will play better tomorrow against SDSU.
I agree totally with haleiwa crossfitter.
Also put Emily Maglio in that mix. It is about time to see our lineup be big up front. When the big girls rotate in the back other than Greely who can play all 6 rotations. Subbing in our scrappy, hard playing, but undersized in the back row for Adolpho, Magill, Huff, and Maglio will give them playing time. When we play some Big West teams that are
not so imposing than we can rotate our local girls to the front to hit…And maybe even start them… This is not rocket science thinking…just a little obvious…Surely don’t want to lose any of these freshmen deciding to transfer where they will start. With the right adjustments our team will be good when it really counts…During league play and hopefully postseason.
163: And you would think that after all these years you would actually grow up and learn how to be civil
Next year, Shoji could have his tallest and most athletic team he ever had with a starting lineup of:
OH1 – Nikki Taylor 6’3
OH2 – Kalei Greeley 6’2
RS – Casey Castillo 6’3
MB – Olivia Magill 6’1
MH – Annie Mitchem 6’2
S – Kendra Koelsch 6’1
With the only one below 6 feet being Libero, Samantha Kahakai. Tai Manu-Olevao will have to really up her game to beat out either Greeley, or Castillo, next year. People think Greeley is something, wait to you see Castillo play. Castillo could just be more of a Terminator then Nikki Taylor is.
Long and Passi, may be able to play against decent and average teams, but when it comes time to play against Top 25 teams, they do not belong on the floor. Greeley can play against Top 25 teams, so can Tai, this year. But the other 2 are not good enough. Huff from what little I have seen, is capable of playing against Top 25 teams, so is Kendra Koelsch. Question still out on Higgins. I do know Kahakai can hold her own, as a Libero. What people have to start looking at is, who can actually play and hold their own against Top 25 teams, cause that is who the Wahine will have to beat in the Tournament.
Next BIG test for the Wahine will be next Friday, against Oregon. People say, teams make the biggest improvement between the 1st and 2nd week of a season, we will all see, how much improvement the Wahine have made when they face Oregon.
I tell you talk about arm chair quarterbacks that think they know it all but volleyballfan takes the ultimate title. Your #129 comment was not necessary and reflects your insensitive, selfish attitude. You’re not at practice with these young ladies. You don’t know their personality makeup. I seriously doubt that you know better than the coaches. I do give you this. I enjoy reading your irritating comments.
No matter what sport the home team loses in, it’s all doom and gloom from the so-called experts on this blog. C’mon guys, this is only their first loss, and we know there will be more down the road, so deal with it. But I do agree with giving some of the other freshmen more playing time to prepare them for the all important conference play. To make the play-offs, the Wahine need to finish first in the Big West. As for Coach Shoji, give him some slack. He’s only the winningest coach in women’s volleyball.
The protectors like to kum bai ya everything. As if the comments should only be about praise and glory. Lol. Face facts. If you let smalls play against giants, unless your smalls are flying ninjas, the giants will win. You recruit the big girls, you train them, don’t you trust them and you training? The proof is in the result. No protecting needed. If the coach decides his plan then live with the choice. If you are befuddled with the results then you better ask for help from two capable assistant coaches. The entire arena was questioning the line up from the start thinking we had ninjas, nope we had little girls. PLAY the big girls they have skills.
174. Steve, you seem to have forgotten your meds again. There is no need to attack Cindy. She was merely reporting her observations. Your repeated negative comments on Ginger Long are tiring and unnecessary. I do think Long just isn’t cut out to be a starting OH on this team. Perhaps she could be best utilized as a back row substitute for one of the left sides and can help with passing and take the occasional swing.
Sadly, I think Kalei Adolpho falls on the same boat. She’s been starting since she was a freshman, and on her senior year, she’s still very up and down. If UH had a choice, I don’t think Adolpho would be starting. I don’t think Magill is getting used properly on offense. And yeah, Kahakai’s good and Mendoza has some issues with receiving, but I think the libero spot should be open. I see Shoji is giving the other three defensive specialists a chance at some real playing time. It was Anderson against Ohio, Ponce vs. ASU, perhaps Guinasso against SDSU?
wow this blog post is a mess — fluctuating back and forth between perfectly reasonable criticism to just the silly/stupid.
one thing i’d like to see tried is — and this hasn’t been brought up in a while — is the 6-2. they’re having so much trouble generating offense. why not try it? that way at least they have 3 offensive outlets up front at all times, plus whatever pipe option in the back row. the OHs that are in there right now aren’t the type of hitters than can overpower well-formed 2 person block on a consistent basis. they need help! having an offense that is spread from pin to pin at all times will help. now is the time to try it, while their terminator is sidelined.
Sometimes it takes awhile to fall in love and I’m not in love with this starting line up yet.
Last night tai is the only bright spot. I think Higgins should have set her more than forcing to set kalei which obviously had an off night from the start. With that of night dave should have tried the freshman MB. I remember how mita feed a hot Taylor last year, she will not force to set emily if somebody is hot. I agree that kendra deserves more playing time especially after her nice dump shot last night. as we still waiting for taylor to recover these available outside hitters need to step up there game big time if they want to stay on the top 25
174. Hey VBF, what a player does in practice doesn’t always come to the front in game play. Part of that is nerves and Long trying to find her comfort zone with the money on the line, that is up to the coaches to help her find that, it is early in the season and if they find it, the dividends will paid out down the road.
177. LC, vollyeball is a team game, there is a ton of change and this team has to find the chemistry working as a unit. I am pretty sure that the starting lineup this weekend isn’t going to be the same as when the season ends. Then you can fall in love all over again.
Olevao is playing well, hitting at a good percentage. Glad to see Greeley and Huff getting a chance to play. Huff looked happy to be able to get into the game.
please get real protectors. Nikki is not going to do it all. She is going to be way behind in her conditioning and cannot do it all.
olevao is okay at hitting. Her back row needs work. Take the rose colored glasses off. Bad call to start Long and Passi. Passi looks angry but her hitting is inconsistent and blocking is lacking. For reals.
Wop, tai played some of her best volleyball in her career as a wahine these past two nights. She hit above .300 in both matches and for an OH, that’s amazing. Tai has improved leaps and bounds. Stop being so negative. They lost to a very good, veteran asu team
183 that may be true, but she has been in the system for three years now. Emily at three years was doing it all. There will be bigger blockers coming soon. i don’t feel as if the outsides can carry the team when that time comes. Watching them last night, there was something missing… that even if we didn’t have a terminator, the team didn’t have consistent play all around from the passing to the setting to the blocking to the hitting. maybe it is preseason, but I don’t have that feeling that everything will be okay. This team is young, but there is experience on the court and that hasn’t amount to much from last nights results. If i was the opponent, I would burn the match and study UH’s flaws. Because it speaks volumes. The reason why Mendoza was not passing the 6’4″ jump serves, was that she was covering to much back row space. Next to Long, she had to cover Long as well. Its one thing to be new to playing together, but its another thing when your team mates are unpredictable. At this level, everyone should be able to hold their own in their positions. There were many instances when that didn’t happen. Especially floor coverage and net coverage. Mendoza and Kahakai tried to cover as much floor as they could, but some players in the back row were out of position and tried to take a dig that clearly belonged to the defensive players. And as for the blockers reaching back on a partial block, that is something you are thought in club ball. Let the back row get the ball. Adolpho did that a few time resulting in the ball dropping away from the DS. And the set locations were to predictable. The blockers were camping out on our hitters. Those examples indicate the team is not ready. A third or fourth year starter shouldn’t be making those mistakes. Adolpho got lost in her errors. And that is the biggest thing I see with this team. When they fail in one play, they get lost in their heads. Long, Adolpho, Higgins, Passi. They may try to block it out. It doesn’t help when the crowd is getting restless, but what did they expect? Sympathy? This is Division 1 ladies only the tough survives. when it comes to sports, people want to support winners. Its harsh but true. Opponents want to capitalize on a teams lack of confidence. Its reality.
175. Hot – I do agree with what you say concerning, Ginger Long. I also, agree with you about Kalei Adolpho. I believe her choosing to play 2 sports, volleyball and basketball, has really hurt her development in volleyball. It is showing now, in her Senior year. I too, would love to see Maglio get some floor time. I do not believe Maglio can do much worse then Adolpho, maybe, even better, especially when it comes to blocking with her height. Would also love to see Guinasso some in the SDSU match.
Hmmm I wonder what Cindy will think of post 174 !!!
Ban ban ban I say.
Told everyone it would only take the first loss for this pyscho to go off the deep end.
176. Cubicle – I would love to see the Wahine run a 6-2 also. But I believe the reason they do not run a 6-2 is because they do not have enough efficient Outside Hitters to run it. Once they get Nikki back, then quite possibly they can, with Nikki, Tai, Kalei, and Megan, playing the Outside positions. Next year will be a different story with the addition of Casey Castillo. I can see Shoji running a 6-2, cause he will have an over abundance of solid Outside Hitters. This year, at least, I would like to see Kendra be the setter when the setter rotates to the front row. Make use of her height and blocking ability. Which the Wahine are not doing right now. A wasted commodity.
183. ASU is alright, not that good! Wahine should have won it, even without Nikki.
The only returning player that I can see who has made drastic improvement in her play is Tai Manu-Olevao. She has really improved in every area of her game, including the mental portion. Very, very, pleased with the way she is playing right now. With that said, she will have to improve much more if she wants to see the floor next year, with the addition of Casey Castillo. Amongst the 5 Outside Hitters they will have next year, the only one that is guaranteed a starting spot is Nikki Taylor, the other 4, Kalei Greeley, Tai Manu-Olevao, Megan Huff, and Casey Castillo, with be vying for the other 2 spots.
Shoji keeps mentioning he wants to run a quicker, faster, offense. According to Tayler Higgin’s, in an interview with her, she mentioned that Kendra does set a quicker ball then she does due to Kendra’s height. From what little I have seen of Kendra, due to her playing time, I can see why Tayler said what she said. Kendra does set a quicker ball to her hitters. Be it to the Outside, or Middle. Kendra’s connection with Magill seems to be much better then Tayler’s connection with Magill, also.
Cindy, what is the real truth concerning Nikki Taylor’s elbow injury. I am really beginning to believe it is a lot more serious then we were led to believe. She got the injury 2 or 3 weeks before practice even started, so it has been going on for over a month now, and no real improvement in sight. Last night after the match with ASU she would not even use her right hand to shake hand with the ASU players, she used her left, kept her right arm out of the way, like she did not want anyone touching it. That was not a good thing to see. From what I saw last night, I would say there is a 80 – 90 percent chance we may not see Nikki Taylor this year.
188. WF – You say, ASU is alright, not that good. So where does that put the Wahine since they lost to ASU in 3 sets, especially if they do not have Nikki Taylor for the season?
186. WF – Not going off the deep end, just telling it like it is. Sorry, if you do not like hearing the truth.
You guys are so critical on these young women! Keep in mind that they are student athletes. Its just the second game of the season. They will only get better.
@volleyballfan what are your credentials in volleyball? I feel like you are just bashing these young women. Get a life!! Keep in mind that these young women balance college as well and utmost and foremost school is their number one priority. I’m pretty sure they don’t need some stranger pointing out all of their little flaws. Get a life!!!
I hope Shoji goes with a predominantly Freshmen Lineup against SDSU. But I will not hold my breath, thinking he will still go with the same lineup, with the exception being Kalei Greeley for Tai Manu-Olevao, cause it is Sunday. Shoji is to stuck in his ways, to change.
VBfan = 49 of 196 posts. A bit much, don’t you think?
Making assumptions watching tv and being at the match watching Nikki are two completely different animals. I expect her to be cleared to practice the second week next month if not the third. She should have her game legs when they play their first BW home match against Fullerton.
shoji should deploy mostly his freshmen reserves from now on including in the next 2 hours to short stop any hurt and be bold, only if they have trouble should he bring in the ‘big girls’ the veterans. asu wasnt playing any better other than having gardner, the wahine just faltered worse. passing and serving was a bane for the wahines existence. mendoza played like how i saw her yesterday, granted she had numerous amount of digs, however the numerous service aces also happened under her watch, i knew she seemed more suitable as a ds than a libero so they suited kahakai as the libero who yesterday and this match appeared more mobile and a ready reserve. too bad she didnt simply set the ball inside the 3 meter in set 3 not like the official would notice right? look at the one who blamed greeley/reacted the way he did when the ball ricocheted from inside the court and onto his leg? speaking of greeley i was expecting something from her like ‘greeley is heroic’ from set 3 and rally the bows. hmm the official cheer for the wahine was missing until like middle of set 2 and even they are half missing. the crowd cheering lets go bows was effectless, more like distracted them and luckily did not benefit to asu like byu last year did which 1st set closed out with grimly the same score. higgins should of been more aggressive by trying dumping more instead of trying to set a bad pass close to the net. magill wasnt utilized well enough. tai manuolevao was the only rockstar, i think she should of gotten angry and that should rally her team after she knew such shoddy performance yesterday giving a team a c- and it being too nice. adolpho just wasnt physically placed enough in the court to command leadership and rally her team, granted that the effectiveness of her slide would be less because asu specifically braced for those worried knowingly that she would hurt them. finally for serving dont they bump serve anymore like the good old days or was that not or never legal? i mean bump serve meaning hold the ball in the opposite hand and pretty much upper cut it over the net. it is definitely not as powerful as a jump serve or floater and probably cannot target a specific receiver/area. but when done correctly (and it should be pretty simple) be very accurate at least you know the ball is going likely inside the opposing court rather than into the net or out of it so therefore despite easier for the opposing receiving at least forces them to receive it and better than SERVICE ERROR.
passing – the ball was dropped much including opponent service aces from today and yesterday under mendozas watch. she still appears to play more like a ds and hardly a libero dont let the number of digs from her yesterday fool anybody. and there was almost no support for her or with her to defend against serves or provide a good pass to the setter. i think manuolevao was the only decent this match including for passing.
serving – time to practice bump serves, they dont require much power, are pretty accurate and dont result in service error especially in the net, though the opposing receiver is virtually guaranteed to dig it provided they see to it. and in that case you just want to be ready to defend against it yourself and counterattack.
196. Says it all.
As for Taylor, have said all along she’d be out for at least the first 2 weeks of the season.
What’s the real deal with her? it’s a serious re-injury. She injured it in summer open gym, probably came back too soon. reinjured it. They are doing everything to get her back. And She’ll be back when she comes back.
There’s never been a mention that she’s out for the season.
Appreciate that some of you understand that these are young amateur athletes.
I understand the criticism but some of it is overly harsh.
This is a young team. They’ve played two matches together.
We”ll see what happens later today
Cindy, that excuse about this team being young as the reason why things are happening, does not really wash. The reason being, all you have to do is look at the 2004 team which went 30-1, beat some outstanding teams early. That 2004 team was a little younger then this team.
2004 also had Kamana’o setting
did anyone mention that magill looks taller than she appears? look at the postgame show. 6′ 1? more like at least 6′ 4 and there was mention by dave that shes taller than adolpho
this match also lacked any school support also it seemed. there was no band and no female cheer where were they when they were needed here? compared to today vs sdsu?