News + Observations

 

Croson Released

Head Coach Dave Shoji has granted Jane Croson a release so she will be able to play during the 2013 season. Shoji is good friends with Arizona coach David Rubio and knows that with Croson being able to play, it will help his team greatly.

Someone else pointed it out that if Croson does get the Wildcat team more wins, it will help their teams RPI which also helps ours. Match versus Arizona on September 14th should be a great match.

Hawaii at No. 11

The VBM Preseason Poll was recently released and the Wahine are ranked at No. 11. Opponents Texas (1) and UCLA (12) made the Top 20 while Wichita State, San Diego, and Long Beach State received points.

Observations

Sometimes I think about putting my thoughts on the team but obviously everyone is entitled to their own opinion so people may not agree with me. I guess it can't hurt to put some down so here you go.

Based on what Cindy Luis has been updating us with practice and the articles that Ann Miller has been writing, I think this team has a lot of depth. Last season players were new to the program and haven't developed as much. But this season the players seem to really be competing for a starting position that it is very hard to predict a starting line up now.

If I were to predict a line up though I would choose this.

Outside 1: Emily Hartong-Sr.

Outside 2: Ashley Kastl-Sr.

Opposite: Tai Manu-Olevau-So.

Middle 1: Kalei Adolpho-Jr.

Middle 2: Jade Vorster-So.

Setter: Mita Uiato-Sr.

Libero: Ali Longo-Sr.

Hartong and Longo are the only players that will start for sure. But whatever line up that is playing on night one is not going to stay that way because they can have many different combinations and Shoji will probably use the double sub a lot throughout the season.

Headshots

The player headshots have been posted and they are all very nice. Different from other seasons but sometimes different is better. (Roster)

Green vs. White Match

Tonight (8/24) is the Green vs. White match which is for Booster Club members only. But Cindy Luis might be giving us some updates throughout the match. There will most likely be an article tomorrow about it and the Booster Club will post photos later. (Volley Shots) (Booster Club)

Catching Up

It has been a while since I posted something so here is some things Hawaii volleyball fans have learned over the past few months!

Wahine Volleyball

• 2013 Schedule was officially released (May 15, 2013)
• Dave Shoji officially announces that Jane Croson will not return to the team
• Three new 2014-15 recruits
• Savannah Kahakai (5'8" Libero from Honolulu, HI)-Farrington HS
• Gianna Guinasso (5'9" Libero from Huntington Beach, CA)
• Emily Maglio (6'2" Middle from Coquitlam, Canada)

Warrior Volleyball

• JP Marks will not return to the team since he signed a pro contract
• Vote Sinisa "Siki" Zarkovic for Off the Block Fan Player of the Year!
• Vote Brook Sedore for Off the Block Fan Player of the Year!
• 2013-14 recruit Jennings Franciskovic named AVCA First Team Boy's High School Senior All-American
• Three new 2014-15 recruits
• Larry "Tui" Tuileta (6'3" Outside from Honolulu, HI)-Punahou HS
• Luke Owens (6'7" Middle from Kailua, HI)-Kalaheo HS
• Kama Paio (UNK Libero from Kamuela, HI)-Hawaii Prep

Sand Volleyball

• Failed to make AVCA Nationals
• Four new 2013-14 recruits
• London Chow (5'6" from Palm Springs, CA)
• Kelsi Delgado (5'10" from Carlsbad, CA)
• Mikayla Tucker (5'9" from Placerville, CA) Transfer from Fresno Pacific
• Karissa Cook (5'11" from Santa Cruz, CA) Transfer from Stanford
• Two new 2014-15 recruits
• Kendra Koelsch (6'1 from Huntington Beach, CA)
• Gianna Guinasso (5'9" from Huntington Beach, CA)
• Will play both indoors and sand