Hawaii women’s volleyball: Saturday T25, BWC results; AQs
NCAA tournament awards 32 automatic qualifier bids
Nine go to regular-season champion, no tournament
Clinched
ACC: Pitt
Big West: Hawaii
Ivy: Princeton
Mountain West: Colorado State
SEC: x-Kentucky 14-2, Florida 13-2 Gators’ last match Sunday but they lost twice to Kentucky so AQ to Wildcats
Not yet
Big 12: Texas 13-1, Baylor 12-1, last matches Nov. 30
Big Ten: Wisconsin 16-1, Penn State 15-2, Nebraska 14-2, Minnesota 14-2, last matches Nov. 30
Pac-12 Stanford 15-2, Washington 13-4, last matches on Nov. 29. UW defeated Stanford 3-1 in the only match in the unbalanced Pac-12 schedule. UW only plays Cal once as well.
WCC: San Diego 16-1, BYU 15-2 Final matches Nov. 26 USD beat BYU twice so if a tie, AQ to Toreros
20 decided at tournaments this weekend
Satuday
America East: Albany
Atlantic Sun: Kennesaw State
NEC: Robert Morris
OVC: Southeast Missouri
WAC: New Mexico State
Sunday: AAC, A10, Big South, Colonial, C-USA, Horizon, MAAC, MEAC, MAC, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Summit, Sunbelt, SWAC
3 decided at tournaments next week, final on Nov 30
Big East, Big Sky, Missouri Valley
+++++++
Someone asked about the RPI Friday night
As of Sunday 12:16 AM EST unofficial Figstats has Hawaii still at 12 through Saturday matches
Top 16
Baylor 1, Texas 2, Stanford 3, Pitt 4, Wisconsin 5, Kentucky 6, Nebraska 7, Washington 8, Florida 9, Minnesota 10, Marquette 11, Hawaii 12, Creighton 13. Rice 14, Texas A&M 15, Penn State 16
Coming into the week, NCAA RPI Top 16
Baylor, Texas, Wisconsin, Stanford, Pitt, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kentucky, Florida, Washington, Marquette, Hawaii, Penn State, Rice, Texas A&M, Utah
IMHO I could see the top 4 seeds being Baylor, Texas, Stanford Pitt
geographic factor would put Hawaii in Stanford’s region but Hawaii in Texas region would be a rematch of the spring game and in Baylor region a rematch of both last year’s NCAA first round and Hawaii’s first loss. Of course that is if the Wahine were to advance that far
++++++
Top 25
No. 1 Texas (H) def. Kansas, 22-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-18
No. 3 Baylor (A) def. Kansas State, 25-19, 25-17, 25-18
No. 7 Minnesota (H) def. Iowa, 25-14, 25-19, 25-22
No. 11 Colorado State (A) def. Nevada, 25-20, 25-16, 25-16
No. 13 BYU (H) def. Gonzaga, 21-25, 25-9, 25-20, 25-16
No. 17 Purdue (H) def. No. 23 Michigan, 25-17, 25-22, 29-27
No. 19 Western Kentucky (N) def. Florida Atlantic, 25-20, 25-20, 25-18
No. 20 San Diego (H) def. Portland, 25-11, 25-18, 25-11
No. 21 Rice (H) def. UTSA, 12-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-12
Big West finales
Cal Poly def. Cal State Fullerton, 19-25, 25-20, 25-11, 25-17
UC Santa Barbara def. UC Irvine, 25-12, 25-23, 25-23
UC Davis def. UC Riverside, 25-23, 25-15, 25-19
It will be interesting to see what happens next year re setter. But remember this Brooke has extensive experience as a setter prior to college. I would hate to lose her hitting but she could play the flexible role that Iosia played this year.
1. had considered that as well, that for one season they might look to again run the modified 6-2. but, as you say, you hat to lose her as a hitter.
Cindy, on the video with Coach Robyn, she had crossed her fingers and was mentioning about the culture and hopefully Iosia has helped to convince, guessing one of the freshman to return. Did I interpret that correctly and if so who is this freshman(s) who was/were considering not returning?
Freshmen may have a hard time as they enter from the top of the game, have to learn teamwork with a new team and you may end up at the bottom of the pecking order. Hanna, Amber, and other have proven that if you can play, Coach Rob will play you. It’s a hard transition.
BVS covers the other hitters very effectively and is a defensive mainstay; however, the passing plays a bigger part in her hitting success.
Unlike JR who has beaten double blocks out of trap sets (i.e. vs Washington), BVS may not be as successful. Her height (5’7″) makes it more difficult. (Same goes for MR.)
MR’s success has coincided with the improved passing (by virtue of the switch from 6-2 to 5-1.) This explains her sudden improvement in the latter games (vs her earlier games.)
Wow, Cal Poly Mustangs lost the first set at home all season. Fullerton Titans thinking upset. Mustangs were sloppy.
#3 – just a guess, the freshman could be either wagoner or Westerberg. these two played during the first part of the season but the last third, they have rarely played. many players leave because they do no see a future with the team. can’t blame them, they need to do what they feel is best for themselves.
Cal Poly woke up somewhat and won the second set, but still needs to clean up sometimes sloppy play. Don’t take match win for granted.
3. What video are we talking about?
In the third set Cal Poly really woke up while Fullerton disintegrated. Cal Poly won the third set on back to back aces by Maia Dvoracek, her first two aces of the afternoon. Cal Poly needs to win the match to have any chance at making the playoffs. However, I don’t see the Mustangs making out of the first round unless they get a weak opponent. More likely they’ll get a strong opponent.
3. If it’s the video I’m thinking about, Ah Mow was talking about Iosia returning after her freshman year since the coaching culture had changed.
Cal Poly finally won the match, the first time they won at home this year after having lost the first set, extending the home match win streak to 32. Out of five seniors, only three played this year, but all five were honored at the beginning of the match. Torrey van Winden was one of the two seniors who did not play this year. Evidently, she chose to graduate and not take a medical redshirt. So finally, both van Winden sisters are finished with Cal Poly. Maia Dvoracek had 22 kills tonight, 16 last night. She might make Big West Player of the Week and possibly the Year as well. The announcer was not sure if Mustangs would make the playoffs despite tonight’s win, but thinks they might have a chance.
3-7 Half way through the season i have had this feeling that a Freshmen would transfer out. I have this person in mind, but i won’t mention her name. ( I can see why if she does ) I hate to see anyone leave,especially from this group.
12. think it’s between Ruddins, Dvoracek and Iosia for POY
Cal Poly and UCSB both have RPIs under 40 so both have at-large chances
13. Ah Mow is talking about Iosia potentially leaving after her freshman year.
Please do not spread false rumor.
VolleyTalk already has me talking to the recruit who was with Lang Friday night when all I wrote was I spoke to Lang and didn’t know who the other young woman was.
Again, Ah Mow is speaking about Iosia. I have the interview on my phone about the “Chicken Skin” and just listened to it.
Ah Mow did say she asked Iosia to go talk to the younger players if they were having problems because of what she had gone through when adjusting to coaching style
BUT this is the comment Ah Mow made about Iosia.
“I didn’t know if she was going to stay or not. … She stuck it out.”
https://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=52123
the video is on the above link
It also is available on Twitter Hawaii Warrior World
14. Since UH won the Big West Title outright, if Robyn Ah-Mow did indeed nominate Norene Iosia, I think that she will win Big West Player of the Year. She also had great stats with all those service aces and double-doubles. It would be only fair if she won that award.
I have one final question. Now that I am watching the uploaded replay of senior night’s match, I heard Lisa Strand-Ma’a commenting in the background. What surprises me is that tonight I just saw her with her twin sister at Cal Poly honoring her niece, Torrey van Winden on senior night. She must have taken a red-eye flight or a very early morning pair of flights to San Luis Obispo. I wonder how she made it at all. Wow, that’s quite a feat there!
16. don’t know. I’ll have to ask Lisa next time I see her. Could have taken the red eye to LA then drove up to Cal Poly. Or San Jose/SFO and drove down. or taken commuter flight instead of driving.
As for POY, doesn’t always go to the league winner. Could see it being a Co-POY.
Personally I have felt Iosia should have been nominated for more weekly honors than she was. She only got one defensive POW. No one else has done what she has done. and to be up in the Top 10 of so many of UH’s career stats says a lot. Hopefully the other coaches will agree.
17. Thanks for your interest about how Lisa made it so quickly to SLO. I don’t think she could have driven 200 miles to Cal Poly after a red-eye flight. I could never do so. I know from experience that United has a connecting flight to San Luis Obispo from Los Angeles but strangely enough one can’t schedule the connecting flight in the morning without breaking up the ticket to multi-city. (Last time I flew with United was three years ago.) I hated that and never flew with them again. I don’t know how the team makes the trip to San Luis Obispo when they play there. I prefer Hawaiian Air to San Jose and a train trip to San Luis Obispo. Cheaper than renting a car. . I wonder if you’ll let me know if you find out someday. I’m really curious. You can delete this message after reading if you deem it irrelevant to the above topics of discussion.
18. I’ll ask her. I don’t see a problem with driving 200 miles after flying in. Personally have done it a several times (not to SLO but other places). San Francisco to Fresno for WAC men’s basketball tournament comes to mind
Uh Ryan Kalei Tsuji in Game On said that this was Shoji’s last class, which if course is wrong. Skylar (Rika, Shaney, Soohia, Janelle) was his last. Duh!
20. I wrote that it was Shoji’s last class to have played for him. which is true and what Ryan is alluding to.
you’re referring to the last recruiting class.
The football broadcast focused a bit on the wahine volleyball team, who all seemed to be there. And in the middle of the shot, sitting next to Riley Wagoner, was setter signee Kate Lang. She looked like she fit in naturally with the other girls.
I think that Wahines are going to surprise a lot of teams in the playoffs for the staff has been babing a certain player! Don’t know how many of you saw that Jolie wasn’t wearing the boot&walking normally! From standing position she hit about 6 or 7 balls as the Wahines were warming up!! This staff wasn’t going to rush her back as Dave did with Grealey(opps spelling)who literally played her last year with just one arm!! Whether or Jolie plays this year I don’t care for this team is one year ahead of schedule! Thought that next year would be the year for I thought with 9 new players it would take this year to build chemistry but the team exceded my exspectations! The Frosh havent even hit the tip of the iceberg in terms of potential! Cant wait for next year! Go Wahines!
15. Wow, I see how rumors get started soooo fast! I understood what Coach Robyn was saying but how easily it can get misconstrued and passed around. I’m glad you finally, hopefully, cleared that up with everyone.
In a previous post, someone asked what the aunties meant with their sign for Rossy that says, “Pumpkin Crunch Rossy”. I’m also confused by what they mean by “Shawty you a 10” for Norene Iosia. Is it a play on “Shorty”?
May be old news (filmed 2 days ago) but I thoroughly enjoyed the ESPN Youtube video: Rainbow Wahine Volleyball: Senior Reflections:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2RAyMkKts4
yes, I agree that Norene should be player of the year, if not the conference but for the team. she did so many things that helped the team win. I am really impressed with amber, she looks like she could be a 6 rotation player next year, she can serve, dig and even set. she really has come a long way and can still improve like continue to perfect her swing. hanna is looking good and I like her playing only 3 rotations (front), she still can serve but rotate out and replaced with a defensive specialist.
It is sad to think that POY will probably be determined again by stats. Those of you who have followed the Wahine this year know that the intangibles are not part of the criteria of POY. How many players can you say have rallied their team through leadership and example? How many teams have come from behind as the Wahine have because of the will of a single person? How many teams has a player that can be so focused that she will literally rip off ace after ace during dire moments of the match? IMHO, that is never part of the parameters of determining who should be POY. If nothing else, Norene Iosia should be crowned leader/team captain of the year!!! GO BOWS!!!
Iosia hasn’t always been fully appreciated by all of the Hawai’i fans. You know who you are. But finally now that we all contemplate a future without her, it’s finally sinking in with everyone how important she is to this team. If you could only have a UH team from this season with one player and her clones, for me it would be Iosia. Every serve would be from Iosia, every set, every attack, every dig and pass. It would be a little iffy in the middle, but on the backrow and pins she’d make up for it. And boy would Iosia and her clones ever scare the heck out of the opposing team! I don’t know if all the fans took notice, but the opposition timeouts kept coming earlier and earlier in sets with Iosia serving, hoping to chill her before she could put the set out of reach before they could even get to their second rotation.
23, 28 Iosia, with her departure, takes a way1/3 of skills and sunshine out of wahine that saved from few defeats (through ace-spells or smart hitting, or leadership, etc.). This is the year, 2019, to earn the National championship again while Iosia is on duty, and that is the only award Iosia & co. should target on, not anything less…Depending on the bracket, the current team is capable to move on to quarter finals, and from thereafter, hopefully, recovered, star Jolie would add the missing go-to player element, and battle all the way to National Championship. IMO, wahine keeps refining exponentially recently, to match up top-10, and even be ready to topple top-4 if come across in third round!
If either Westy and/or Wags transfers, would be a HUGE loss. Westy played good in reserve role when the middles were not having a good game. Also played well when filling in for OH/OPP. Wags stabilized the receive/passing when you know who was being targeted. RAM had them on short leash but gave you know who plenty of leeway.
Will jolie rassmussen be playing in the ncaa tournament???
High School All State Team in this morning’s Star-Advertiser. It is unfortunate that none will play for UH. It is also unfortunate that a good number of them will be asked to play libero, after being told they are not big enough to play front court.
Yes, everyone wants big OHs, but “bigs” are slow and not as versatile in defense. It is true that passing and setting play a lesser role with bigs, primarily because even in trap sets they can hit over the block. And blocking is a no-brainer. Still it is a rare big that can go over the top consistently.
In truth I want UH to have bigger OHs but I’ve come to realize that there is a place in volleyball for non-bigs who are versatile, quick twitch, adaptable, and have a killer serve.
20. Rika was in the same freshman class as Norene, Kirsten and McKenna (2016).
23. Kalei Greeley was cleared to play so she played. Not Shoji’s call to clear her medically. Ah Mow was coaching in 2017 when Greeley was a senior. Rasmussen isn’t playing because she isn’t cleared to, not because the coaching staff aren’t “rushing” her.
I don’t see any of the freshman leaving. If body language counts they have bought in. I think they know they need to expand their skills to stay on the court. If someone leaves I think it’s Gong. She was kinda the forgotten player this year especially not being on scholarship.
I don’t know why you think some of the girls will bail after only one season. If they are smart and like Hawaii, they would continue to work and their time will come. But if they are homesick, then I guess that is something UH coaches really cannot do help. This team is already good, chemistry seems to be good, and they are part of a championship team. Everything seems to be going great for the team.
Kids who are impatient and does not understand that not everything is about them will forever be unhappy if things don’t go their way.
You learn more about yourself when you fight thru adversity then you do if you always want things to go your way.
There is just soooo much example on this team for those on the bench to learn from. Rika was a walk on, paid her own way, put in long hours and is now a very important part of this team. Ditto with McKenna Ross. Jolie Rasmussen was a top 20 high school prospect out of HS and have gone thru numerous injuries, yet she is still engaged and helping this team. Even the story of Norene being close to leaving when Shoji retired. She stuck it out and is now a potential conference POY and her team is in the top 20 and poise to host.
Learning hard life lesson is part of growing up. I hope the girls who are on the bench understand that and I know they are smart enough to understand that.
Wahines need players from Midwest and BC to expand the volleyball culture of UH. Staying would be to their benefit. Scholarship players should at least stay for 2 years to acclimate and experience the island culture or anywhere else given their young age. Regret catches up as it did me for not staying longer while attending college on mainland. I hope rumors of possible transfers are false.
Would Amber Igiede be in contention for FOY? She is 3rd in hitting percentage (in conference) and 1st in BPS. Can Hawaii nominate more than 1 player or limited to 1 for conference awards?
Did Noreen Iosia Samoan Dance money tossing video raise concerns with coaching staff during Senior night given the NCAA strict guidelines? Probably OK since all participants probably relatives, however alarming. It was a nice video. Good thing only dollar bills.
Texas and Baylor host regionals? If NCAA committee allows the 2 to host, it would be 2x Texas teams in short distance of each other hosting 50% of the sweet 16. That’s unequal distribution geographically.
Gosh, no one is transferring. The poster who brought up the “thought” misinterpreted a comment Ah Mow said about Norene when interviewed about her senior class.. Ah Mow said she wasn’t sure if Norene was gonna come back after her freshman year.
Cindy already cleared that up. Everyone should discontinue this whole thing on the freshman leaving before it gets more out of hand.
What, who’s leaving? ………….Jus havin’ Fun.
Debbie Downer looks for any reason to say and repeat things that people make up. So jus having fun isn’t always fun
I wish some people would transfer from this blog to another so we don’t have to perpetuate unfounded rumors.
17 & 19 and Cal Poly results. I have a few more small comments to make.
First, I thought it was amazing you could drive 200 miles after a red-eye flight. I guess you’re able to sleep sitting down. I can’t. Perhaps your occupation makes you tough and resilient.
Second, you might be right. I can see a co-poy with Norene Iosia and Maia Dvoracek.
Third, it may sound trivial, but there was a typo. Cal Poly won 25-11 in the third set, not 25-22. The only reason I pointed it out is because in a previous comment (#10) I mentioned that Fullerton disintegrated in the third set. My comment would have been false if the score was 25-22. No big deal. We all make typos. Again, thank you for all your responses to my blogs.
Schools not in the power 5 conferences make do with leftovers. Therefore, recruiting foreign elite players makqmore sense. Players like Hanna Helvig, who play for their national team,
Continuation from earlier post: are 5 star athletes. Young and talented, but too poor to go to the top schools.
Asking all a stupid, ignorant question…can players be recruited if they’re already with another team? I know JR, BVS, KW & BC requested to transfer. But, can our coaches actually ask another player on another team if they want to consider transferring? Just wishful thinking about Tia Chavira of Beach. She’s almost Norene-ish; has set, good hitter, blocker, 6 rotation player. Also saw what looked like local family in the crowd (assuming local). Prolly not kosher and against NCAA rules, huh?
47. Yes, but to Hanna’s point, there are talented girls back in Sweden but like her, didn’t know about the scholarships available to help them in the United States. Or that there were colleges that offer volleyball programs in the United States.
Hey Cindy, what is Denver’s RPI? I noticed that they won their conference. Don’t know if it’ll help Hawaii or not.
https://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=52161
New thread up for Sunday
can we put the transfer thing to rest?
Thank you.
As for 48
once a player signs an NLI, it’s hands off for the other coaches. Although I know of a few instances where coaches have ‘poached” players during the offseason.
But the reason for the transfer portal is to make it legal for when players put their names in, having already told their current schools they are leaving and are available to go elsewhere.
A player can always reach out to another school. Just not the other way around.
40. maybe geographic inequity but why punish schools just because they’re close to each other? Also doesn’t mean that either will still be left to host the regional. Stranger things have happened in the second round. The highest seed remaining after the second round will host the regional.
38. don’t think Igiede is in contention. If it’s any Wahine it’s Hellvig
45. thanks on the typo.
As for against NCAA regs and the money dance, I think they’ll see it as a cultural thing and it being her family.
And as for the hight school all-stars, players are going to shoose the best fit for them. Doesn’t mean UH didn’t go after them.