|
Post by Cubicle No More ... on Nov 25, 2014 13:32:57 GMT -5
Passi departs Wahine
By Cindy Luis, Honolulu Star-AdvertiserPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 25, 2014 DARRYL OUMI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER Hawaii outside hitter Keani Passi (3) and Tayler Higgins (7) celebrate after scoring a point with their teammates.Junior outside hitter Keani Passi, the 2012 junior college national player of the year at Southern Idaho, is no longer with the Hawaii volleyball program. The Pearl City High graduate played sparingly in 19 matches this season, with three starts and 30 sets played. Passi, who redshirted in 2013, did not make the past road trip for undisclosed personal reasons. "We want to thank Keani for her contributions to the team and wish her well," Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said in a statement on Monday. He did not want to elaborate on the reasons for her departure other than to say it was for personal reasons. Passi has one year of eligibility remaining should she decide to continue her career at a non-Division I school.
|
|
|
Post by Cubicle No More ... on Nov 25, 2014 13:34:05 GMT -5
Rainbow Wahine back in poll, earn league honorsBy Cindy Luis, Honolulu Star-AdvertiserPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 25, 2014 DARRELL MIHO / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER Hawaii’s Nikki Taylor, left, and Kalei Adolpho teamed up for a block against Cal Poly’s Raeann Greisen. Taylor recorded the program’s first triple-double in the rally-scoring era Saturday against Cal Poly, with 10 kills, 10 digs and a career-high 11 blocks in the four-set victory. She was named the Defender of the Week.The week has started off very well. Hawaii can only hope that it ends the same way. The Rainbow Wahine were back in the AVCA Coaches Top 25 volleyball poll, had two players honored by the Big West and remained at 30 in the Ratings Percentage Index on Monday. All Hawaii can hope for now is that closing out the regular season with two more wins will be enough for the selection committee to give the Wahine an at-large berth into the NCAA tournament during Sunday's bracket announcement. Both the RPI and the coaches poll are part of the postseason selection criteria. Hawaii (19-6, 13-3 Big West) has had a 30 RPI for five straight weeks, and the Wahine returned to the coaches poll after a six-week absence, coming in at No. 25. with 76 points. Last week, Hawaii had 44 points, which put it at 28th. The only other time the Wahine were unranked since the poll began in 1981 was for the final four weeks of 1992, when the injury-plagued team finished 15-12. The 1992 season is the only time Hawaii has not made the playoffs. The Wahine have been ranked in 465 of the 476 polls, third-most all-time. Only Stanford and Nebraska are above the Wahine, having been ranked all 476 weeks. This week, Stanford (28-0) remained the unanimous No. 1, receiving all 60 votes. Long Beach State, which clinched the Big West title last weekend, moved up two spots to No. 16. Hawaii doubled up on conference honors Monday. Sophomore Nikki Taylor was named the Defender of the Week and hitter Kalei Greeley the Freshman of the Week in helping the Rainbow Wahine to two road wins at UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly. Taylor recorded the program's first triple-double in the rally-scoring era Saturday against Cal Poly, with 10 kills, 10 digs and a career-high 11 blocks in the four-set victory. On Friday, the Kaiser High product had 16 kills and a career-high 21 digs in the five-set win over UC Santa Barbara. Taylor also was nominated for Player of the Week. The honor went to Long Beach State senior Chisom Okpala, who helped the 49ers clinch the Big West title. Greeley earned her third weekly honor with two double-doubles on the road trip, hitting .347 overall. She hit .432 with 19 kills and 13 digs against the Gauchos on Friday and 11 kills and 10 digs against the Mustangs on Saturday. Hawaii, currently second in the Big West, finishes out the regular season with Big West matches against UC Riverside on Friday and UC Davis on Saturday, both at 8 p.m. following Wahine basketball games.
|
|
|
Post by Wolfgang on Nov 25, 2014 20:24:00 GMT -5
Honestly, I think if anyone transfers into the Hawaii program in the next 2-3 years, they have to be prepared to ride the bench until they graduate. The only transfers I see Shoji and co. taking are:
(1) those who are CLEARLY better than the incoming recruits (Granato, Mitchem, Castillo) and the current starters (Taylor, Greeley, Magill, Higgins), OR (2) those who understand that they are practice players and are OK with that role.
|
|
|
Post by wahinez4eva on Nov 25, 2014 21:41:54 GMT -5
Honestly, I think if anyone transfers into the Hawaii program in the next 2-3 years, they have to be prepared to ride the bench until they graduate. The only transfers I see Shoji and co. taking are: (1) those who are CLEARLY better than the incoming recruits (Granato, Mitchem, Castillo) and the current starters (Taylor, Greeley, Magill, Higgins), OR (2) those who understand that they are practice players and are OK with that role. I totally agree...
|
|
|
Post by Cubicle No More ... on Nov 26, 2014 18:37:32 GMT -5
Wahine focus on next 2By Cindy Luis, Honolulu Star-AdvertiserPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 26, 2014 BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM Hawaii’s Olivia Magill leads the Big West in blocks (1.39) and hitting percentage (.414).There is comfort in routine. Knowing what to expect, being on auto pilot where it's more about the doing than the thinking. It's been that way for the Hawaii volleyball team nearly every Tuesday since Aug. 26. Early alarms, early taping and early setup in Gym I for a 6 a.m. practice. This Tuesday, however, was different, and not just because the Rainbow Wahine walked in with a national ranking for the first time in six weeks or were without junior hitter Keani Passi, whose departure from the program was announced Monday. It was the final Tuesday of the regular season, with Hawaii preparing for its last Big West matches in the Stan Sheriff Center this year. Thoughts of Saturday's senior night festivities for Kalei Adolpho and Sarah Mendoza, and Sunday's NCAA tournament selection show are on the back burner with the heat turned off. "We are only thinking about two matches this week," Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said. "We are not assuming anything." That could be in regards to two victories as well as being awarded an at-large bid in the NCAA tournament. On paper, No. 25 Hawaii's chances are good for both: UC Riverside (2-25, 0-15) has struggled, while UC Davis (15-13, 10-5) has been dangerous but somewhat inconsistent. As for the postseason possibility, the Wahine held at 30 in the Ratings Percentage Index for a fifth week with the return to the coaches poll — also part of the selection criteria — very encouraging. But nothing is guaranteed until Hawaii sees its name on one of the 64 lines in the bracket. But that is four days away. Tuesday, as usual, was all about skills and drills, working on what what went right and what went wrong in the two road victories at UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly. "Those two wins were really big for us," junior middle Olivia Magill said. "The season has gone by really fast. Everyone is excited about this week and to finish the conference strong." Magill continues to lead the Big West in blocks (1.39) and hitting percentage (.414). Against UC Davis in the Big West opener, she had 10 kills and hit .615. NoteBoth matches this week are scheduled for 8 p.m. starts and will follow Waikiki Beach Marriott Rainbow Wahine Shootout basketball games. For the first time this volleyball season, Hawaii will play at home on the hardwood and not its normal Teraflex surface.
|
|
|
Post by Cubicle No More ... on Nov 27, 2014 13:30:08 GMT -5
Rainbow Wahine's Long won't be back next seasonBy Cindy Luis, Honolulu Star-AdvertiserPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 27, 2014 LAST UPDATED: 01:51 a.m. HST, Nov 27, 2014 CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM UH Rainbow Wahine Ginger Long said she was focusing on finishing her degree work in interdisciplinary studies in order to graduate in May and then pursue a Master's program.Hawaii junior outside hitter Ginger Long has decided not to return next volleyball season to play for the Rainbow Wahine. Long, who redshirted in 2011, had one year of eligibility remaining. The Kamehameha-Maui graduate said she was focusing on finishing her degree work in interdisciplinary studies in order to graduate in May and then pursue a Master's program. The two-time Maui Interscholastic Player of the Year also said she will not play sand volleyball in the spring. She was 32-10 with Ali Longo as the SandBows finished third nationally last year. "I've enjoyed being part of this legacy," Long said Wednesday. "The dynamics of this program are amazing." Although not officially a senior, she has been in the program for four years, and it is expected that she will be recognized Saturday along with senior middle Kalei Adolpho and senior libero Sarah Mendoza after the regular-season finale against UC Davis at the Stan Sheriff Center.
|
|
|
Post by geddyleeridesagain on Nov 27, 2014 13:43:02 GMT -5
Honestly, I think if anyone transfers into the Hawaii program in the next 2-3 years, they have to be prepared to ride the bench until they graduate. The only transfers I see Shoji and co. taking are: (1) those who are CLEARLY better than the incoming recruits (Granato, Mitchem, Castillo) and the current starters (Taylor, Greeley, Magill, Higgins), OR (2) those who understand that they are practice players and are OK with that role. Mitchem is a transfer. She'll have two seasons of eligibility at Hawai'i.
|
|
|
Post by Wolfgang on Nov 27, 2014 13:57:57 GMT -5
Honestly, I think if anyone transfers into the Hawaii program in the next 2-3 years, they have to be prepared to ride the bench until they graduate. The only transfers I see Shoji and co. taking are: (1) those who are CLEARLY better than the incoming recruits (Granato, Mitchem, Castillo) and the current starters (Taylor, Greeley, Magill, Higgins), OR (2) those who understand that they are practice players and are OK with that role. Mitchem is a transfer. She'll have two seasons of eligibility at Hawai'i. Oops. Yep, you're right. I still stand by my post though re. transfers AFTER Mitchem.
|
|
|
Post by Wolfgang on Nov 27, 2014 13:58:55 GMT -5
What is Long studying? What the heck is interdisciplinary studies? What will she be studying in grad school?
|
|
|
Post by Cubicle No More ... on Nov 27, 2014 14:34:39 GMT -5
Mitchem is a transfer. She'll have two seasons of eligibility at Hawai'i. Oops. Yep, you're right. I still stand by my post though re. transfers AFTER Mitchem. also magill is a junior, and so, has one more year next year. after a year, her spot will be up for grabs.
|
|
|
Post by Cubicle No More ... on Nov 28, 2014 14:01:19 GMT -5
Marvel of Molokai Ho‘olehua's Kalei Adolpho has matured into a brilliant volleyball player and a leader her teammates respectBy Cindy Luis, Honolulu Star-AdvertiserPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 28, 2014 LAST UPDATED: 03:10 a.m. HST, Nov 28, 2014 STAR-ADVERTISER The 6-foot-1 Kalei Adolpho has used her talents to become a two-sport college athlete.Saturday's ohana T-shirt will say it all. "Moloka'i Slide." It's what Kalei Adolpho's family and friends will wear to honor the Hawaii middle blocker on Senior Night at the Stan Sheriff Center. It reflects not only Adolpho's signature step-out move — known as a slide — but her roots, growing up in Ho‘olehua with "the tropical moon and the lazy palm trees," as Ted Suckling penned in his 1988 song. No one would argue that the pace of life across the Ka‘iwi Channel from Oahu is slower. It is. Definitely. There is little to do … but play. Adolpho took advantage of every opportunity to be outside and be involved in whatever sport was in season. Paddling, basketball, volleyball, track, whatevah. "I'm open to anything," said Adolpho, who played both volleyball and basketball for the Rainbow Wahine until this season. "When I was younger, I did everything. I would have wrestled if I could have." Instead, the 6-foot-1 Adolpho has used her talents to become a two-sport college athlete. She has taken a year off from basketball to focus on volleyball and finish her psychology degree. The plan is to return to the basketball team in 2015-16 as a grad student pursuing a Master's, perhaps in public administration. That single-sport focus has resulted in Adolpho's best season statistically and personally. She is second in the Big West in blocks (1.132 bps) behind only teammate Olivia Magill (1.39), and was named the Big West Defender of the Week on Nov. 10 after finishing with a combined 19 blocks and 16 kills when Hawaii split its matches against Long Beach State and Cal State Northridge. The biggest growth might have come after being named team captain at the start of the year. "It's been nice to see her develop as a leader," associate coach Scott Wong said. "She's embraced (being captain). She's always played a positive role on the team but now she is a strong force on the court. Her blocking has been really reliable. "The last few years she looked like a basketball player playing volleyball and she had moments of brilliance (in volleyball). Now she looks like a volleyball player." And a leader, according to her teammates. "I think she's definitely stepped up into the leadership role," junior hitter Tai Manu-Olevao, a co-captain, said. "When she was called to be the captain, she didn't waste any time in taking on the role, making sure things were happening the right way. "I've seen a whole different side of her. She took her leadership role to heart." Junior hitter Ginger Long came into the program with Adolpho and will leave with her. Long, who redshirted in 2011, also will play her final home match Saturday, deciding to graduate in May. "Leaving with Kalei is awesome," Long said. "We've recently been reflecting on our years here, it's only the two of us left. It's nice to have had someone who knows everything you've gone through." It took commitment and sacrifice for Adolpho to get to UH. She commuted to Oahu to play club volleyball and "it was a sacrifice and financial commitment my family was willing to make," Adolpho said. "I understand the sacrifices they made and it has been extra motivation for me to get better and to be more appreciative of what they've done for me." Adolpho said she wasn't thinking about college until Hawaii began recruiting her. She orally committed as a sophomore — to the basketball team. The NCAA considers basketball as the "major sport" with a player's scholarship being carried by that program; someone playing a second sport does not count against scholarship numbers in that sport. Basically, Adolpho was a gift to volleyball the past three years. This season, she is on volleyball scholarship and will return to basketball scholarship next fall. It's been a bonus for four years, Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said. "She has a better command of her game now. "She had flashes of brilliance before but it wasn't always what we wanted, not always steady. "This year ishe is way more focused. She is the kind of kid you love to have, from an outer island, no ego, humble, works hard, becomes a leader. If we had to do it all over, we'd do it again." Having the title of "Rainbow Wahine" is an honor, Adolpho said. "I'm going to miss the program, my teammates, my coaches, the competitiveness of volleyball every day," she said. "And I'll miss playing in front of all the fans. Saying thank yous would never be enough. "I hope that I'll be remembered as someone who was a good teammate, a hard worker, being a good friend and a good player. More importantly, I want to be remembered as a good person." Always mo' bettah da kine. WAHINE VOLLEYBALLAt Stan Sheriff Center
Friday UC Riverside (2-25, 0-15 Big West) vs. No. 25 Hawaii (19-6, 11-3), 8 p.m.
Saturday UC Davis (15-13, 10-5) vs. Hawaii, 8 p.m.
TV: OC Sports, Ch. 16 Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM
|
|
|
Post by jake on Nov 28, 2014 23:25:01 GMT -5
Marvel of Molokai Ho‘olehua's Kalei Adolpho has matured into a brilliant volleyball player and a leader her teammates respectBy Cindy Luis, Honolulu Star-AdvertiserPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 28, 2014 LAST UPDATED: 03:10 a.m. HST, Nov 28, 2014 STAR-ADVERTISER The 6-foot-1 Kalei Adolpho has used her talents to become a two-sport college athlete.Saturday's ohana T-shirt will say it all. "Moloka'i Slide." It's what Kalei Adolpho's family and friends will wear to honor the Hawaii middle blocker on Senior Night at the Stan Sheriff Center. It reflects not only Adolpho's signature step-out move — known as a slide — but her roots, growing up in Ho‘olehua with "the tropical moon and the lazy palm trees," as Ted Suckling penned in his 1988 song. No one would argue that the pace of life across the Ka‘iwi Channel from Oahu is slower. It is. Definitely. There is little to do … but play. Adolpho took advantage of every opportunity to be outside and be involved in whatever sport was in season. Paddling, basketball, volleyball, track, whatevah. "I'm open to anything," said Adolpho, who played both volleyball and basketball for the Rainbow Wahine until this season. "When I was younger, I did everything. I would have wrestled if I could have." Instead, the 6-foot-1 Adolpho has used her talents to become a two-sport college athlete. She has taken a year off from basketball to focus on volleyball and finish her psychology degree. The plan is to return to the basketball team in 2015-16 as a grad student pursuing a Master's, perhaps in public administration. That single-sport focus has resulted in Adolpho's best season statistically and personally. She is second in the Big West in blocks (1.132 bps) behind only teammate Olivia Magill (1.39), and was named the Big West Defender of the Week on Nov. 10 after finishing with a combined 19 blocks and 16 kills when Hawaii split its matches against Long Beach State and Cal State Northridge. The biggest growth might have come after being named team captain at the start of the year. "It's been nice to see her develop as a leader," associate coach Scott Wong said. "She's embraced (being captain). She's always played a positive role on the team but now she is a strong force on the court. Her blocking has been really reliable. "The last few years she looked like a basketball player playing volleyball and she had moments of brilliance (in volleyball). Now she looks like a volleyball player." And a leader, according to her teammates. "I think she's definitely stepped up into the leadership role," junior hitter Tai Manu-Olevao, a co-captain, said. "When she was called to be the captain, she didn't waste any time in taking on the role, making sure things were happening the right way. "I've seen a whole different side of her. She took her leadership role to heart." Junior hitter Ginger Long came into the program with Adolpho and will leave with her. Long, who redshirted in 2011, also will play her final home match Saturday, deciding to graduate in May. "Leaving with Kalei is awesome," Long said. "We've recently been reflecting on our years here, it's only the two of us left. It's nice to have had someone who knows everything you've gone through." It took commitment and sacrifice for Adolpho to get to UH. She commuted to Oahu to play club volleyball and "it was a sacrifice and financial commitment my family was willing to make," Adolpho said. "I understand the sacrifices they made and it has been extra motivation for me to get better and to be more appreciative of what they've done for me." Adolpho said she wasn't thinking about college until Hawaii began recruiting her. She orally committed as a sophomore — to the basketball team. The NCAA considers basketball as the "major sport" with a player's scholarship being carried by that program; someone playing a second sport does not count against scholarship numbers in that sport. Basically, Adolpho was a gift to volleyball the past three years. This season, she is on volleyball scholarship and will return to basketball scholarship next fall. It's been a bonus for four years, Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said. "She has a better command of her game now. "She had flashes of brilliance before but it wasn't always what we wanted, not always steady. "This year ishe is way more focused. She is the kind of kid you love to have, from an outer island, no ego, humble, works hard, becomes a leader. If we had to do it all over, we'd do it again." Having the title of "Rainbow Wahine" is an honor, Adolpho said. "I'm going to miss the program, my teammates, my coaches, the competitiveness of volleyball every day," she said. "And I'll miss playing in front of all the fans. Saying thank yous would never be enough. "I hope that I'll be remembered as someone who was a good teammate, a hard worker, being a good friend and a good player. More importantly, I want to be remembered as a good person." Always mo' bettah da kine. WAHINE VOLLEYBALLAt Stan Sheriff Center
Friday UC Riverside (2-25, 0-15 Big West) vs. No. 25 Hawaii (19-6, 11-3), 8 p.m.
Saturday UC Davis (15-13, 10-5) vs. Hawaii, 8 p.m.
TV: OC Sports, Ch. 16 Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM Good Luck tonite,...Wahines' U.
|
|
|
Post by Cubicle No More ... on Nov 29, 2014 12:55:19 GMT -5
Wahine slide past RiversideBy Cindy Luis, Honolulu Star-AdvertiserPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 29, 2014 LAST UPDATED: 05:21 a.m. HST, Nov 29, 2014 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM Olivia Magill tried to put a shot between UC Riverside’s Meg Graham, left, and Alex Gresham. What was the motivation? The opponent was winless in conference play. It was 0-for-November in sets won, having dropped 18 straight while being swept in six matches, 21 counting that 3-2 loss at Cal Poly back on Oct. 30 after leading the Mustangs 2-0. For No. 25 Hawaii, it was all about its side of the volleyball court, playing up and not down, against UC Riverside on Friday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. It took a while for the Rainbow Wahine to get that message, overcoming a very sluggish start to turn back the Highlanders, 19-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-14. Sophomore Nikki Taylor put down 15 kills and a holiday crowd of 4,318 saw Hawaii (20-6, 12-3) survive to win its fourth straight. Freshman Kalei Greeley added 12 kills and junior Tai Manu-Olevao 11 for the Rainbow Wahine. Sophomore hitter Bri Holmes finished with a match-high 18 kills and junior hitter Ashley Cox 11 for the Highlanders (2-26, 0-16). UCR outdug Hawaii 64-59 and outblocked the top-blocking team in the conference for most of the 1 hour and 55 minutes; the Wahine's 4-1 edge in stuffs in Set 4 had the teams both finish with eight. "I think they were more disciplined than we were tonight," said Hawaii sophomore setter Tayler Higgins, who finished with 41 assists and half of the team's six aces. "They dug a lot of balls and I think it frustrated our hitters, who worked hard to put heat on the ball and it got dug. "In the second set, we got into a better rhythm, be more prepared. We need to focus on the game, then we can focus on our seniors." Saturday's 8 p.m. match against UC Davis has been designated as a "white-out night." The Wahine also will honor seniors Kalei Adolpho and Sarah Mendoza, as well as redshirt junior Ginger Long, who is graduating in May after four years in the program. Hawaii coach Dave Shoji emphasized that they focus on the Aggies, who could put a dent in the Wahine's postseason hopes with an upset. "If we get behind against a team like Davis, it will be hard to come back," Shoji said. "We need to control the match from the start. I don't want to think about what happens if we lose. We need to close it out with a win, especially for the seniors." The young Highlanders, playing for pride, made a statement in Set 1, outblocking Hawaii 3-1, outserving the Wahine four aces to none, and outdigging UH 20-11. Hawaii had difficulty with the smaller UCR hitters, who tooled the block effectively, particularly the 5-foot-10 Holmes, who had seven kills in the first 30 minutes. The Wahine began putting things together midway through Set 2 when they finally started connecting with junior middle Olivia Magill. Magill had four kills and Hawaii used a 10-2 run to pull away for good. Hawaii continued to have problems with the shorter UCR hitters, including Cox, listed at 5-6, but finally wore down the Highlanders with size. "We couldn't block efficiently, our technique wasn't good, they were hitting under our arms and not at our block," Shoji said. "They served tough, played really good defense. They got us in trouble for about a game and a half." UCR couldn't sustain it and finished winless in the conference. The Highlanders' last win came Sept. 6 against Savannah (Ga.) State when they finished 2-1 in the Southern Utah Invitational. "I was very proud of my team," UCR coach Michelle Patton said. "We've been working on the things we need to do to be successful. We served tough, got Hawaii out of system. We still made too many errors. "We have a lot of sophomores and freshmen and you never know what will happen in this environment. Winning that first game was very important to us." Hawaii controlled Set 3, with Magill — the top blocker in the conference, getting her first stuff to help the Wahine to a 22-14. Freshman defensive specialist Clare-Marie Anderson served for the final five points to give Hawaii a 2-1 lead. The Wahine simply pulled away in Set 4 with a balanced attack. Greeley and Taylor had four kills apiece and Magill three as Hawaii led by as many as 10 — 21-11 and 24-14. Freshman Megan Huff and Adolpho teamed to block Cox to end it. Full photo gallery here by JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM.
|
|
|
Post by Cubicle No More ... on Nov 30, 2014 12:50:45 GMT -5
Senior sendoffHawaii says goodbye to its seniors with a sweep; now the Wahine await their NCAA tournament fateBy Cindy Luis, Honolulu Star-AdvertiserPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 30, 2014 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM Hawaii senior Sarah Mendoza ran through a tunnel formed by her teammates during senior night festivities following the Wahine’s sweep of UC Davis on Saturday.JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM Seniors Kalei Adolpho and Sarah Mendoza, and departing player Ginger Long were buried in lei during the senior night ceremony after UH’s sweep.JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM UH middle hitter Kalei Adolpho slammed a kill between UC Davis middle blocker Aima Eichie, left, and outside hitter Kendall Walbrecht in the first set.Whether it's one senior or seven, Hawaii sure knows how to celebrate the final home volleyball match. Lei for the victors, lei for the losers and a graduation-style pile of lei for the honorees. Even two-time World Series champion Shane Victorino got into the spirit, wearing an optic yellow long-sleeve shirt as part of the 80-plus Adolpho ohana. The 25th-ranked Rainbow Wahine sent off their three honorees by winning a set for each — Kalei Adolpho, Sarah Mendoza and Ginger Long — against UC Davis at the Stan Sheriff Center. The 25-19, 25-16, 25-15 sweep extended Hawaii's winning streak to five and solidified a second-place Big West finish. The only complaint from the 6,339? It didn't last long enough … at least not the match where the Rainbow Wahine (21-6, 13-3) used a balanced attack that saw all five starting attackers notch six or more kills. Hawaii dispatched UC Davis (15-14, 10-6) in 83 minutes, nearly as long as the post-match celebration lasted. It included a team dance, senior videos up on the JumboTron and the Aggies' five seniors getting an appreciative sendoff in their final career match. "This is awesome, it's so cool," Aggies first-year coach Dan Conners said. "It's how volleyball could be everywhere." While junior hitter Tai Manu-Olevao and sophomore hitter Nikki Taylor had a team-high nine kills for Hawaii, it was Hawaii's three seniors who were in the spotlight. Adolpho had eight kills with no errors, hitting .667; Mendoza had a match-high 16 digs; and Long put down aloha ball with her third kill, appropriately the Wahine's third swing at ending it. "This is so awesome," said Long, a redshirt junior who made her decision to retire from the program known earlier in the week. "It was so nice that they included me tonight. "It was really special to have that last kill. I knew that Kendra (reserve setter Koelsch) was going to try to get me the ball. It was awesome to be out on the court with the (reserve) players that I've practiced with most of the season." Rainbow Wahine coach Dave Shoji got in all 15 of his players, with four freshmen, Long and Mendoza in for the final few points. Had it not been for the five service errors in Set 1, Hawaii's dominance would have been even more pronounced. "I think this was one of our better matches," Shoji said. "And it's always nice to be able to get everyone in. It was a great crowd. I think half of Molokai (Adolpho's home island) was here. "Adolpho played like we know she's capable of. Ginger has been a trooper with a great heart and soul. And Mendoza has been so solid, keeps making plays. "But we're not done yet." Hawaii, winning its seventh straight senior night in straight sets, will learn its postseason fate during Sunday's NCAA selection show on ESPNU at 3:30 p.m. The only time the Wahine have failed to advance to postseason play was in 1992. Sophomore hitter Allie Wegener led UCD with nine kills. Junior middle Kaylin Squyres, who came in as the conference kill leader with 4.12 kps and a .441 hitting percentage, finished with four kills and hit negative .095. Junior middle Olivia Magill was in on five of the team's 9.5 blocks. The Wahine are now 19-2 in their regular-season home finale matches since the arena opened in 1994. 3 HAWAII 0 UC DAVIS
KEY: The Wahine hit .330, while the Aggies hit .090. NEXT: Selection Show on Sunday will announce UH's NCAA tournament fate.Full photo gallery here, by JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM. Rainbow Wahine volleyball 2014 regular-season finaleStar-Advertiser Published on Nov 30, 2014 Hawaii closes out UC Davis at the Stan Sheriff Center with the final point of the regular season.
|
|
|
Post by Cubicle No More ... on Nov 30, 2014 23:41:59 GMT -5
Hawaii volleyball team to face Duke in Seattle
By Cindy Luis, Honolulu Star-Advertiser
POSTED: 04:17 p.m. HST, Nov 30, 2014 LAST UPDATED: 04:25 p.m. HST, Nov 30, 2014
For the third time in five years, the Hawaii volleyball team will be playing in Seattle in the NCAA tournament.
The Rainbow Wahine (21-6) will face Duke (22-7) in the opening round on Friday. The winner of that match faces the winner of host and third-seed Washington (29-2) against New Hampshire (20-11).
The second round is scheduled for Saturday.
The Huskies, the only team to defeat top-seeded Stanford, has a 32-match home winning streak.
In 2010, Hawaii lost to host Washington in straight sets in the second round. In 2012, the Wahine fell to the Huskies in five, also in the second round.
|
|