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Post by 5100 on Dec 28, 2013 2:32:57 GMT -5
They need middles who can hit AND block especially since Hartong is no longer there to score the majority of points. Mendoza should get a scholarship. She's the best of the back row people. What's gonna happen to Ginger Long?
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Post by karrietfan on Dec 28, 2013 2:54:46 GMT -5
My guess also is that the Volunteer Assistant coach needs to go. It probably ONLY causes "stir" on the team; it more than likely is into gossip/cattiness for pilikia among the females. I'd replace him with Tanya Fu'umatu-Anderson (outta Punahou). Who's the volunteer assistant and how is he causing "stir" on the team? I thought Tsuji was off the team? This poster is referring to Kaleo Baxter. On another blog under another name, probably the same person said the same thing about Baxter. I personally haven't heard any talk, gossip to this from the girls I spoke to. If it's true and a problem I'm sure Shoji, Wong and Robyn are aware and on top of this. I'm taking this as a grain of salt. Have you heard the rumour on Nikki transferring to UCLA, same poster.
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Post by WahineFan44 on Dec 28, 2013 3:00:59 GMT -5
Who's the volunteer assistant and how is he causing "stir" on the team? I thought Tsuji was off the team? This poster is referring to Kaleo Baxter. On another blog under another name, probably the same person said the same thing about Baxter. I personally haven't heard any talk, gossip to this from the girls I spoke to. If it's true and a problem I'm sure Shoji, Wong and Robyn are aware and on top of this. I'm taking this as a grain of salt. Have you heard the rumour on Nikki transferring to UCLA, same poster. Nikki loves hawaii haha. I don't take anything that poster says seriously.
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Post by bucky415 on Dec 28, 2013 3:45:03 GMT -5
I think it will be a year where the Wahine have more questions coming in than in quite a long time. The biggest is the lack of a proven superstar. I know Taylor had a pretty good freshman season, but there is a big difference between being a right side who hits on the left at times and a go to L1. You have to deal with a lot more double blocks and a lot more out of system plays. Those aren't easy things to overcome; see the hitting percentages of a lot of those players, even among All Americans. Hawaii has been blessed with some great ones over the years, but I don't know if they have anyone with that skill set now, and they are clearly more iffy at L2 than they have been in a lot of years. I think the answers are to try to work to get back to the level of back row play that has been a hallmark of the program over the years, although that won't be easy with a libero and all around left side leaving. The other thing is that I think the new setter needs to be much more aggressive in setting the middles when the ball control is there to take pressure off the outsides. I know that isn't what Shoji's teams have done a lot, but I think it would help a lot. Yeah, sometimes it will miss, but won't the efficiency overall be better than outside attacks? I am thinking yes. I do think that Hawaii's players will be hungry. Unlike their first year in their new league, they had the experience of getting bloodied in league play, and I am guessing the end of their season won't sit well.
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Post by HadassahJoy2010 on Dec 28, 2013 4:20:02 GMT -5
If nothing else, Long will be one to piddle around in the sand this Spring 2014..it'll make her the best OH2 passer on the team. The beach will also strengthen her muscles, all the way around...all positives. 5100 is correct. Mendoza does deserve a scholarship. Kawamura (w/o) deserves to start moving from Libero2 to Libero1. *Mendoza should sub for OH1; OPP1 should do nothing but hit (Tai is pretty one-dimensional that way) The middles will be fine once they get their passing going. It may take the team a while to establish themselves (as in Dave being steadfast to allow for growth..patiently...this team will progress steadily toward the 2014 Tourney with some great resolve, I'm sure of it). ASU, UCLA, Missouri will likely be the headliners for the three preseason tourneys and thus, although not too big a crowd-draw, they'll (UH) have a bit of wiggle room to focus; to draw upon experience, as long as Dave is resolute; and they'll move "forward". LBSU: By the last AVCA Poll this Early December, 2013. 6.3 Bre Mackie. Four year starter. #25 Oregon recruit. 5.10 Erin Juley. Three year starter. #2 Penn State recruit. 6.2 Chisom Okpala. Three year starter. MB1 (hands down) 6.2 Joy Miley. MB2; LBSU lacks Middles. All-High School Everything 5.11 Alex Reid. Two year starter. #4 Missouri recruit. 6.2 Emilie Wilmes. OH2; LBSU lacks Outsides. #11 Hawai'i recruit. 5.8 Tyler Jackson. Four year starter. #1 Texas recruit. ^ These will be their biggest hiccup (perhaps) as a hindrance for national recognition. Out!!!
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Post by ACE on Dec 28, 2013 6:38:41 GMT -5
I hope Hawaii gets a transfer.... I really hope they do to and a good transfer. I would like to see a MB transfer. I'm just not sold on Adolpho anymore. I was really hoping she would really breakout this year but she really didn't. There were times she was just amazing but I was looking for consistency with her. She seem really slow this year compared to last season. I do hope she can prove me wrong next season. I liked Vorster when the set was in her range, I think she really didn't click too much this season with Uiato but I'm liking the athleticism of Higgins and I know she'll get much better come pre-season. Tai on the other hand, I see her as a backup next season. I'll leave Taylor on the RS for a big block and put Passi on the leftside opposite from Kreely. Agreed with this statement. Yes, there were games where she was unstoppable, but consistency was key and to me, she's very, very slow. I expected more out of her (quickness and jump) because she was an all-state track star. Who knows, 2014 might mirror a team a decade ago.
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Post by LoveTheDig on Dec 28, 2013 10:19:56 GMT -5
Tai is most likely going on her Mission and will miss the 2014 season.
Mendoza played through the pain of a broken left foot all season and had surgery over Christmas break to remove the bone fragments and should be real focused next year.
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Post by Mix Breed-TEXAS,HI,LBSU on Dec 28, 2013 11:47:06 GMT -5
Tai is most likely going on her Mission and will miss the 2014 season. Mendoza played through the pain of a broken left foot all season and had surgery over Christmas break to remove the bone fragments and should be real focused next year. Tai had this season to really prove herself and she really didn't. The BYU game was disappointing to see, she knew the block was big and in front of her and she kept hitting right into the block. I don't see her in the lineup next season but only if she can really pick it up in the off season and make a turn around. The same can be said for Adolpho cause I'm not sold on her as a starting middle next season, she's too slow.
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Post by WahineFan44 on Dec 28, 2013 15:30:47 GMT -5
Tai is most likely going on her Mission and will miss the 2014 season. Mendoza played through the pain of a broken left foot all season and had surgery over Christmas break to remove the bone fragments and should be real focused next year. Tai had this season to really prove herself and she really didn't. The BYU game was disappointing to see, she knew the block was big and in front of her and she kept hitting right into the block. I don't see her in the lineup next season but only if she can really pick it up in the off season and make a turn around. The same can be said for Adolpho cause I'm not sold on her as a starting middle next season, she's too slow. I'm not sold on any of our middles really. Compared to the 2003-2011 seasons, they really underperform. 2003 we had duggins and gustin. 2004-2005 we had prince (one of the best middles uh has seen, not the best but one of them) she was also robbed of 1st team AA. 2006-2007 we has sanders. 2008-2009 we have Kaufman. 2009 we also had Hewitt and then hartong comes along. UH usually has pretty dominant middles, but with vorster and kalei, we don't
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Post by ACE on Dec 28, 2013 16:27:38 GMT -5
Tai had this season to really prove herself and she really didn't. The BYU game was disappointing to see, she knew the block was big and in front of her and she kept hitting right into the block. I don't see her in the lineup next season but only if she can really pick it up in the off season and make a turn around. The same can be said for Adolpho cause I'm not sold on her as a starting middle next season, she's too slow. I'm not sold on any of our middles really. Compared to the 2003-2011 seasons, they really underperform. 2003 we had duggins and gustin. 2004-2005 we had prince (one of the best middles uh has seen, not the best but one of them) she was also robbed of 1st team AA. 2006-2007 we has sanders. 2008-2009 we have Kaufman. 2009 we also had Hewitt and then hartong comes along. UH usually has pretty dominant middles, but with vorster and kalei, we don't The thing for Hawaii is, we've never had a great "all-around team". The one area that has been truly lacking in Hawaii is a true OPP player who can shut down opposing teams OH's. We either have a Willoughby/Kahumoku, but Jen Carey/Vakasausau was at best a bit below-avg setters We have a Kamana'o, but a bit below-avg OH's in Boogard/Arnott Then when you have below-avg everything you have a 1997/2007 season. There's never been a season with good (doesn't need to be great) players at each position. To me, the closest was the 1995 team. Next year, Taylor seems to be above average, Higgins, to me, is still unproven, the middles are average (they're better than below average).
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Post by WahineFan44 on Dec 28, 2013 16:31:21 GMT -5
I'm not sold on any of our middles really. Compared to the 2003-2011 seasons, they really underperform. 2003 we had duggins and gustin. 2004-2005 we had prince (one of the best middles uh has seen, not the best but one of them) she was also robbed of 1st team AA. 2006-2007 we has sanders. 2008-2009 we have Kaufman. 2009 we also had Hewitt and then hartong comes along. UH usually has pretty dominant middles, but with vorster and kalei, we don't The thing for Hawaii is, we've never had a great "all-around team". The one area that has been truly lacking in Hawaii is a true OPP player who can shut down opposing teams OH's. We either have a Willoughby/Kahumoku, but Jen Carey/Vakasausau was at best a bit below-avg setters We have a Kamana'o, but a bit below-avg OH's in Boogard/Arnott Then when you have below-avg everything you have a 1997/2007 season. There's never been a season with good (doesn't need to be great) players at each position. To me, the closest was the 1995 team. Next year, Taylor seems to be above average, Higgins, to me, is still unproven, the middles are average (they're better than below average). I actually like higgins. they said she nearly beat uiato out for a starting spot. I like her sets and her energy and if the passing is on, I think we will be good. 2003 we had tano who was amazing and one of my favorite players ever IMO. 2004 was a shocking season. Never expected us to do that good with the class we lost. Passi looks solid, but we will have to wait and see
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Post by volleyballfan99 on Dec 28, 2013 16:42:09 GMT -5
I know most people won't care about this thread, but this is for my fellow wahine fans. What are you thoughts about next season? I'm actually looking forward to next season. I picture the starting lineup to be OH1: Nikki Taylor OH2: kalei Greeley OPP: keani passi MB: kalei Adolpho and jade vorster S: tayler higgins L: savannah kahakai They will have a younger roster, but I think this group will mesh will together, and Nikki Taylor and tayler higgins will take on the leadership role well. This could be the starting lineup for the 1st match, except for the Libero position where I think Mendoza will be the starter at there until Kahakai proves herself. I see Kahakai being the DS at the beginning. I also think you could see one of the Freshmen Middles replacing Jade Vorster sometime during the season, once they prove they are D1 ready. I do not see Tai anywhere in the mix for an outside position, just not impressed with her, at all.
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Post by WahineFan44 on Dec 28, 2013 16:46:14 GMT -5
I know most people won't care about this thread, but this is for my fellow wahine fans. What are you thoughts about next season? I'm actually looking forward to next season. I picture the starting lineup to be OH1: Nikki Taylor OH2: kalei Greeley OPP: keani passi MB: kalei Adolpho and jade vorster S: tayler higgins L: savannah kahakai They will have a younger roster, but I think this group will mesh will together, and Nikki Taylor and tayler higgins will take on the leadership role well. This could be the starting lineup for the 1st match, except for the Libero position where I think Mendoza will be the starter at there until Kahakai proves herself. I see Kahakai being the DS at the beginning. I also think you could see one of the Freshmen Middles replacing Jade Vorster sometime during the season, once they prove they are D1 ready. I do not see Tai anywhere in the mix for an outside position, just not impressed with her, at all. I actually like vorster over kalei. I think she will connect better with higgins. And I agree about one of the freshman middles. I think it will be maglio. I've heard VERY good things about her. It will be a battle between Mendoza and kahakai though
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Post by volleyballfan99 on Dec 28, 2013 16:55:27 GMT -5
This could be the starting lineup for the 1st match, except for the Libero position where I think Mendoza will be the starter at there until Kahakai proves herself. I see Kahakai being the DS at the beginning. I also think you could see one of the Freshmen Middles replacing Jade Vorster sometime during the season, once they prove they are D1 ready. I do not see Tai anywhere in the mix for an outside position, just not impressed with her, at all. I actually like vorster over kalei. I think she will connect better with higgins. And I agree about one of the freshman middles. I think it will be maglio. I've heard VERY good things about her. It will be a battle between Mendoza and kahakai though I agree, Mendoza and Kahakai, will have a battle between them. One will be the Libero, the other will be the DS. Not a bad passing combination to have. Being how Shoji normally favors Senior players, it will be hard for Maglio to replace Adolpho. Maglio would have to be really, really good to do that. By really, really good, I mean by running the slide. Vorster does not run the slide at all, so the other Middle would have to do it really well. Vorster is the blocking middle, the Adolpho, or whoever is the other Middle will be the offensive Middle. That is the way, Dave uses his middles.
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Post by WahineFan44 on Dec 28, 2013 17:07:10 GMT -5
I actually like vorster over kalei. I think she will connect better with higgins. And I agree about one of the freshman middles. I think it will be maglio. I've heard VERY good things about her. It will be a battle between Mendoza and kahakai though I agree, Mendoza and Kahakai, will have a battle between them. One will be the Libero, the other will be the DS. Not a bad passing combination to have. Being how Shoji normally favors Senior players, it will be hard for Maglio to replace Adolpho. Maglio would have to be really, really good to do that. By really, really good, I mean by running the slide. Vorster does not run the slide at all, so the other Middle would have to do it really well. Vorster is the blocking middle, the Adolpho, or whoever is the other Middle will be the offensive Middle. That is the way, Dave uses his middles. There are two reasons I love jade. Her blocking and her attitude. She's always bringing the team up and when she's scored a point, she's HAPPY. She always bubbly and never sad on the court. And her blocking is superb. I don't see maglio beating Adolpho out, but we never know. I really like 'maglio and if Annie comes in 2015, we will have solid middles
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