Scrimmage recap
Didn’t get any stats and the coaches haven’t seen the data.
Can tell you that both Shoji and Wong were pleased (didn’t speak to Ah Mow)
Shoji said he was very happy about how all of training camp went. Liked their passing today, agreed the middles looked good.
When I mentioned Uiato’s side winning all three, he said, Yes, and that’s her side should have.
Did ask if he had considered selling tickets to the public for this. He said he had heard Nebraska did and that they sold out. He also agreed with what I mentioned earlier. That Nebraska is making a big push with the new arena so …. He said it might be something to consider next year
Asked about the Think Pink (Dig Pink?) they are looking at getting special jerseys to that is in the works.
They have turned off the lights in the arena. Kind of cool that the only thing you can see is the Net because the light from the tunnel has come through the back risers.
guess the Goodmans’ brownies were a huge hit. Shoji said he got the last ‘tiny’ piece.
Team taking Sunday off. School starts Monday. They will have 1 morning practice M-T. He wasn’t sure if they’d go morning or afternoon Tuesday.
Hopefully don’t trip on my out.
will check in later.
Thanks Cindy!
As always you do your best to keep us informed. Sounds like the team is coming along just fine. The idea of opening scrimmage games to the public I think is a great idea. It could help to generate a little extra revenue before the season starts. I know a lot of fans would be up for it. I think what NU did was great. Hopefully Shoji will do it next season. I hope he`ll still be around for another few years. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Mahalo Cindy!
Cindy if one team had two of the three middles, who was the second middle on the other team?
Didn’t trip on the way out. Dropped by the booster club to say hi to some of the parents.
Shoji was impressed by the number when I told him about Nebraska.
But we both laughed that “what else is there to do in Nebraska if there’s no football.’
That is great that the Huskers have finally moved into a bigger arena. The demand was so much greater than the 4,000 they limited it to for decades for most of their matches.
One thing that I was unaware of
The scrimmage was first initiated and organized by the Booster Club
When Shoji said it was something that might be considered next year, I asked if that meant he was staying another year. He laughed and said for me to not try to get him to say that.
But I know he is already working on next year’s schedule. If he can pull off what he is thinking of, he could have one of the best tournaments … if not the best … in the country. Stay tuned.
Cindy, setaone, has a good question, for once. If one team had 2 of the 3 middles, who played the 2nd middle on the other team? Did the middle, on the team that had only one, not rotate around, but just stayed at middle thru all rotations?
(sorry setaone have edited to delete the name calling. apologize for not seeing it sooner. Cindy)
Hey dedicated fan Don’t need to be … just because I called you out on the BS you put on here. You are the only one who seems to ask a billion questions but the root of it is really the same five questions.
Get a life because all you do is make this blog almost unreadable for those who are looking for real insight.
Cindy don’t delete my comment. Dedicatedfan has made you blog a mess more often than not. Others are thinking it too.
Actually. It’s your blog. You can delete or edit my previous comment.
Cindy, setaone, has a good question, for once. If one team had 2 of the 3 middles, who played the 2nd middle on the other team? Did the middle, on the team that had only one, not rotate around, but just stayed at middle thru all rotations?
If Shoji is working on next year’s tournaments, it definitely looks like he will be staying at least one more year.
This scrimmage was really worth the price of admission. Oh thats right, it was free for boosters. Too bad LC, they were very impressive and fun to watch. Emily is even better than last year. She is a “terminator”. By the end of the year Nicky Taylor will be a major factor. She is really good. The middles also have stepped it up. Mita also looked very good. All three middles had good games so I can’t say who I would start. L2 is still open as far as I could tell. I would go with Kastl but I know I might be in the minority on that one. Over all they are way ahead of where they were at the end of last season.
Hey Dedicatedfan…no need ask the same thing twice (comment numbers 4 and 7). “Cindy, setaone, has a good question, for once. If one team had 2 of the 3 middles, who played the 2nd middle on the other team? Did the middle, on the team that had only one, not rotate around, but just stayed at middle thru all rotations?”
Chill. Cindy will get to the answer when she has time. Or maybe Ron will fill us in.
At Ron,
Thanks for the assessment. Sounds like you were happy with what you saw. Good to hear everyone has stepped up their game.
Go Bows!
8. Ron, I do not think you would be in the minority, if Shoji goes with Olevao, on the RS. Then Kastl would be the natural choice for LS2. Do not think Shoji would start Kaela Goodman, on the RS. He is to comfortable using her as a blocking sub.
Mahalo Cindy.
I’d like to ‘see’ them (as I’m NOT in Honolulu, anyway..), but
UH vs. an All World(s) Tourney:
A Professional Japanese Team
The Canadian National Team
A Top Four, rated, USAV PVL Team
2014 UH Na Wahine
That might be worth the flight home. 😉
Just sayin’…
3. Cindy, here are my wish teams for that tournament: Penn St., Florida, and Stanford. Only selected Florida, cause I do not believe Texas would come out here 2 years in a row. If not Penn St. then I would mind seeing Nebraska, instead. I do not believe there would be another tournament around that could top this tournament.
LOL worth the price of admission someone tell that fool there was no admission because UH is just plain stupid unlike Nebraska who made over $ 80,000 today
I agree with Ron on all the points that he made. From the end of last Fall to tonight I saw an improvement in every major player. I see Kastl at LOH2 and Tai at RS for starting against Texas. Nikki Taylor showed flashes and at this seasons end will step in as a leading contender for the terminator on the left with Tai.
Now Emily Hartong, as good as she was last season, she surprised me with her hitting and serving. More velocity in all hits, and now I’m a believer when Shoji said her arm swing is the quickest he’s seen. Someone mentioned that the Beach MBs are going to shut her down, I don’t see that happening, she’s too quick and will find the pukas fast. Hard to believe that she’s improved since last Fall. She will be Olympic material when 2016 rolls around.
Another player that stuck out was Kayla Kawamura. Her backrow play was impressive, digging hard hits and passing accurately was as good as any small player playing for UH in recent memory.
Cindy, funny you mentioned that, but I was at the dessert table next to Shoji and asked him, while looking around at the table, where were the left over Goodman brownies.
VBM Preseason Poll:
(dated aug.21, 2013)
http://www.volleyballmag.com/articles/43124-vbm-top-20-preseason-poll
—
First upon the docket–
Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational (Aug. 30-Sept. 1)
TEXAS
AVCA POIGNANT(‘D) 1490 pts, VBM NO.1 “Contender”
U. OF SAN DIEGO
AVCA POIGNANT(‘D) 101 pts, VBM NO.21
UTEP
HAWAI’I WAHINE
AVCA POIGNANT(‘D) 825 pts, VBM NO.11 “Noisemaker”
15, roofer68, I think you missed typed that last sentence, in your first paragraph. Did you mean right, instead of left. The only reason Tai would be playing the LS2, would be if Kastl cannot perform there. If Tai ends up playing the LS2 position, then I see Taylor playing the RS position. I feel Kastl is not a good enough blocker to play the RS.
I’ve been a booster many years and have attended all the pre-season previews (as I like to call them). This is probably the best over all team performance that I have seen (in the pre-season). Team looked liked they were in mid-season form. Not saying that they don’t need to improve, just that they are starting at a better point. The coaches demeanor throughout seemed as they were not teaching, but fine tuning. Afterwards, they expressed real comfort with where the team was at. I saw athleticism, very skilled play, hard hittiing and digging (great comebacks on several balls) and the off-balls were being handled nicely. A lot to look forward to.
I forgot to mention Libero/DS play. Longo was everywhere and Kawamura as R68 said would not let the ball hit the floor. This group of young ladies are vocal and very enthusiastic and supportive of each other.
Ron, or R68, does Kawamura remind either of you of Ashley Watanabe, from a few years back?
16. Read my post carefully again, Kastl at LOH2 and Tai at RS starting against Texas. Nikki Taylor at seasons end will contend for leading terminator along with Tai for next Fall 2014.
I think UH seriously needs to consider a 6-2 offense against Texas, Webster and Eckerman will go up and over Uiato.
Forgot to post, talked to Ann Miller after, says she will have an article on tonights scrimmage in the Sunday sports.
Thanks for the insight everyone!
Glad to hear such positive comments from the match. Is Kawamura going to be put in the DS role or mostly at libero?
Thank you for clear facts and insight into team. Looks like Coach Dave has the players to give their all to improving themselves and the team again. As long as they can play Wahine ball, control first touch, run in system offense and make broken plays, too I like our chances even against Texas. Now I’m really ready to get out early to SSC to watch warm up hitting, setting, passing and servers. Certainly sounds like Emily is going to go all out for her senior season and that only means good things for Wahine. Gonna be sleepless nights until opening night for sure. Go Wahine!
I see Kayla Kawamura in Emily Maeda’s role, she and Longo from tonight’s play seemed to be a touch quicker than the other DS’s. Shoji has his usual system to sub in the RS and two MBs, can’t recall what player the DS subs for or when he does his double with the MB subbing and Longo coming in for the MB that subbed.
At dedicatedfan regarding Shoji too comfortable with Kaela as a blocking sub to start her: He had no problem starting her last year. It was only when she was unable to put down balls that he started playing Kastl on the right and Goodman coming in for Uiato.
IMHO Kawamura will be No. 1 DS, first off the bench to serve.
nice to meet you yesterday Roofer. ann’s story in today’s paper. will repost later.
As I have mentioned, they will use a 6-2 when needed. but not every time it can be used.
DF, UH has a number of options. including Manu-Olevao at L2 and either Goodman or Taylor at RS. Personally I like Manu-Olevao at LS. Kastl also has good potential out there. But as has been pointed out ad naseam, both LSs hit from the left twice, right once; the RS hits right twice, left once. They all have to be versatile and, in a perfect world, effective at hitting from both sides.
Yes they did make that amount of money. Again there was a huge push for the new arena. they charged for the first time.
and AGAIN, this wasn’t a UH athletic department event.
As I said, stay tuned about the tourney. interesting concept P&G but not what is being discussed.
sorry, so many questions I may have missed what setaone asked.
the middle who was the only middle returned to the front row for a second rotation. it was as close to a match as they’ve had, although in Set 3 Hartong didn’t play front row, and wasn’t always in the service rotation.
no second middle since they only have 3
and no it doesn’t mean he’s staying one more year. He’s preparing a schedule like any good coach would do ahead of time. regardless if he stays or not.
perhaps really dumb question. Given that Hartong is also excellent at the right and a great blocker and we have people who are also capable playing well on left and that most championship teams have people who can terminate kill in their designated position, then why don’t they use Hartong at right and Long/Kastl/Tai/Taylor at left so we have 3 hitters that can put away the ball at all positions?
In international play from what I recall seeing at least on the men’s side, the opposite is normally the dominant player anyway.
Monica Stauber sets UCLA middle Mariana Aquino….six packs the alumni defender
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTvsVlXV1EM
Answer to DF re: Watanabe vs. Kitamura. She is not there yet but very quick and she keeps the ball in play.
There are 17 pics of yesterday’s scrimmage in the photo gallery section of the S/A.
Now what fool believes Dave Shoji is telling Miller the truth about a starting lineup ?
Of course he is going to tell her he doesn’t have a starting line up. What coach with any kind of smarts and about to play the #1 team is going to give them any info ?
But guess what,there is a starting line up.
Ron, hopefully, by NCAA Tournament time she will be. What amazed me about Watanabe was, teams could not dink over the block, cause she was always there to bump the ball up to the setter. Watanabe was that quick with really good instincts of when the opposing hitter was going to dink the ball over the block.
LC, the only question in Dave’s mind is, who will be the other MB, will it be Vorster, or Tuaniga. That is the only question, Dave is pondering about. I do not see him starting Nikki Taylor, only because she does not have any game experience, and the other Outside Hitters do.
Today’s article by Ann seemed to put things in question, but this is not a bad problem rather a good problem. A wealth of riches can really make for multiple options for strategic lineups and subbing. I’m confident that Coach Dave like all good managers will get the most out his team and continue his run of successful and fan supported teams. I’d be more concerned if he was to say he was leaving, but that day is more and more inevitable and I’m sure he will be gracious and exit with the program as solid as he can assure it for his successor, so even that isn’t going to hurt as much. Like the teams he puts out on the court, there are no quitters and everyone is a player. Go Wahine! Counting down the days now to lift off!
i’m loving the competition in the gym. especially among the middles. i’d be happy with any of the middles starting. i’d just like to see consistency and more offense from those positions.
it sounds like taylor may find her way onto the court. her size and athleticism, even if coupled with inexperience right now, might be too good to not play.
glad to hear that the passing is strong. now can it hold up when the lights go on? kawamura and mendoza may be asked to take on a larger passing role, but my concern is that they got very little or no playing time last year. are they going to step up or be shell-shocked by it? we hope for the former.
i don’t doubt that shoji has a lineup penciled in in his mind. this is the only time really where a coach can really keep the “lineup cards” close to his vest.
even elliot at texas, it seems, was playing with a lot of lineup combinations during their scrimmage yesterday.
besides texas this opening weekend, there is san diego. there’s been little talk about them, but they will be a dangerous team. like hawaii, they too will be heavily senior-laden. their strength looks to be with their middles hoekmann and ferrari.
Shoji needs to recruit more Afro-American players. The last 3 times he won the national title he had Tee Williams and before that Deitre Collins. The last time he made the finals he had Kim Willoughby. Texas will run roughshod over Hawaii because of their better athletes.
Da premonition is that just like 2013-14, 6.5 SR VBM-Fab50 SCOTT HARTLEY is about to have a monster final year at UH,
Da premonition is that 2013-14, 6.1 SR VBM-Fab50 KRISTIANA TUANIGA is about to have a monster final year at UH.
—
‘geddylee’ is such a bacon/ham/kalua filled knish.
We’ll see what happens with Tuaniga. much will depend on staying healthy. and if she can beat out one of the other 2 middles for more playing time.
VBM Preseason Poll:
(dated aug.21, 2013)
1. Texas
2. Penn State
3. Stanford
4. USC
5. Minnesota
6. Washington
7. Michigan
8. Nebraska
9. Oregon
10. Florida
11. HAWAI’I WAHINE
12. UCLA
13. Michigan State
14. BYU
15. Iowa State
16. Purdue
17. Kentucky
18. Louisville
19. Florida State
20. Kansas
21. San Diego
22. Wichita State
23. Ohio State
24. Western Kentucky
25. Long Beach State
Others receiving votes: Oklahoma, North Carolina, San Diego State
45-46. have said that Shoji would be working with the starting unit beginning Monday. He had said he was close to making a decision. the comments from him from Ann Miller’s story today:
“I’d like to have a clear-cut first team, second team right now,” Shoji said. “But we don’t.”
By Tuesday, he feels like he has to make some starting calls. No one made it easier Saturday, for the right reasons.
“Everyone is playing well, so it’s difficult to make any decisions now,” Shoji shrugged. “Everybody had good days.”
And I have mentioned Shoji’s concern over USD, especially since Manu-Olevao will miss the match. He’s well aware of how good they are.
41. Shoji has told us (Ann and I) over the years when he has decided on a starting lineup and when he doesn’t. I have known him for over 30 years and I believe him when he tells me something.
Why do you continue to question in such a negative manor him and those who have covered the team?
We trust him to tell us the truth, he trusts us that we will be honest in our reporting and write with honesty what has been said. We don’t make up quotes.
No one is a fool for believing the truth, nor should they be called one when they do.
There will be a starting lineup. And I believe it will more evident Monday.
This is not a new situation. It’s happened many times over the years where he hasn’t decided exactly what he will do until the opening week.
As he has said, he can only play 6 at a time. someone will sit.
51. thanks we had the poll days ago. someone questioned where I had voted UH. It was No. 9.
38. glad Stauber is settling in. Sealy was happy she was able to get out of the commitment to Santa Clara to transfer.
Cindy, I would rather be in Shoji’s position when it comes to not really having a clear cut 1st team, in certain positions. That means, the players in those positions are really close, and that, there would not be a real drop off in talent, between the two players. Whereas, if you had a clear cut 1st team, it only means, the talent on the 2nd team is not quite were the 1st team is, so there would be a slight drop off in talent if you need them.
48. As for the borderline racist suggestion as to who Shoji ‘needs’ to recruit. He has had plenty of A-A players on the roster and they didn’t even make the final four. You cannot compare how nationally now with how the sport is being run now as opposed to the 1980s when UH last won 3 titles.
Are you dismissing the greatness of Kim Willoughby? They made two final fours with her. Danielson is half A-A, they made one final four.
And that has been despite how UH has been seeded and treated by the selection committed. It isn’t that the Wahine teams haven’t been good enough to win a national title, it’s just tough to get there out of a mid-major conference when the odds are stacked in the favor (with numbers) of the BCS ones. The ridiculous regional in Honolulu with UH, USC (Nebraska was upset in the elite eight or would have been out here) is a prime example.
Steve’s logic is not sound.
All Hawaii national titles had a Hawaiian on the team (caucasians, and so forth). Kim Willoughby’s freshman year and senior year had Hawaiians, Caucasians, and Asians on them.
If the rationale is that “Afro-Americans” brought Hawaii to the national finals, what does that say about the other races and ethnicities that were a SIGNIFICANT part of those national final teams?
Skill, athleticism, team chemistry, heart, and at least an All American honoree are much needed ingredients. Race and ethnicity not relevant.
Wise Mary
Cindy, if I recall correctly, the last time Dave Shoji, and the Wahines, had these many seniors, was in 1987, the last time they won a National Championship. That team had one great leader, in Tita Ahuna, and a lot of good roll players, plus a really good freshman, in Tee Williams. This year’s team kind of reminds me of that team, in a lot of ways. If you go position by position, it is kind of spooky how close this year’s team is to that last National Championship team. The only thing in question, is the heart. That National Championship Team had a LOT OF HEART. Does this team have that kind of heart, it will be interesting to see, and find out, throughout this season.
59. Willoughby and Kahumoku’s senior year also had 7 seniors. They made it to the Final Four that year.
59: The 2003 team, like this year’s team, had seven seniors.
60-61. Thanks for getting to the answer first. 2003 had 7 seniors as well as 83. 2003. ended with an uninspired loss to Florida in Dallas, Kamana’o’s freshman year.
58. yes, the logic if you can call it that was a reach. Hawaii’s roster has long been one of diversity. and the bottom line is heart to go along with the talent.
63: and a little luck of the draw doesn’t hurt.
60,61, & 62, I come up with only 6 seniors for 2003: Lauren Duggins, Lily Kahumoku, Karin Lundquist, Nohea Tano, Melissa Villaroman, and Kim Willoughby. Who am I missing, just asking. Not trying to start anything.
By the way, I am wrong, the 1987 National Championship Team only had 4 seniors: Tita Ahuna, Suzanne Eagye, Mahina Eleneki, and Diana Jessie. But these 4 seniors all came in together and played 4 years together. They were also, undersized, with the exception of Eagye.
Like that 1987 team, this year’s team has 4 seniors who have been here through it all, Emily Hartong, Kristiana Tuaniga, Keala Goodman, and Mita Uiato.
That 2003 team had a lot of talent, but did not quite have the heart, as the uninspired loss to Florida showed. That 1987 team did NOT have all the talent in the world, with the exception of a couple of players, BUT that team had a whole lot of heart to make up for the talent.
Dave Shoji will find out real quickly how much HEART this year’s team has. Even if the Wahine lose to Texas, if they fight, and scrap, all the way to the bitter end. The sky is the limit for this team.
83 had 7 seniors.
65. you’re missing Maja Gustin
1987:
ALL-AMERICAN’S’
2x @ OH (Teee, Diana)
2x @ MB (Suzanne, Karrie)
@ OPP (Tita)
@ Setter (Martina)
The whole 1st team–I’d say–was the cream of the NATIONAL crop.
😛
Cindy a pleasure finally meeting you. Wanted to introduce myself a while back and yesterday the timing was right. You and Ann are doing a great job, dealing with a few human negatives and the odd and amount of hours you both put in. Personally from me, all of both of your works are very much appreciated.
FWIW Hawaii went to three final fours with Willoughby: 2000(Nebraska), 2002(Stanford) and 2003(Florida). Finishing each of those seasons in the national semifinals.
68. P&G not sure where you got your info But ….
Williams a 3x first team A-A 87-89, 2x national player of the year 87 & shared it in 89 with Tara Cross
Jessie second team A-A 87
Eagye 2x first team A-A 86, 87
Trieschman first team A-A 89, 90 wasn’t an all-American in 87 or 88
Ahuna (won’t call her a true OPP) Second team A-A in 85, 86, not in 87, although she was A-A at the USVBA tournament
Cincerova second team A-A, 88, not 87. very much a surprise at that one
DF & P&G
If you need to check anything, such as the years players played and All-America awards, the UH media guide is online on hawaiiathletics.com the wahine volleyball page on the right. Although it looks it is 2012 and not 2013 yet.
70. UH was the most successful team in terms of W-Ls between 2000-2004 nationally. 31-2, 29-6, 34-2, 26-2, 30-1, 3 final fours. the only thing eluding them was a title.