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Post by internationalball on Aug 11, 2014 2:16:35 GMT -5
That article was all over the place. Looking forward to tomorrow on an article about the first day of practice!
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Post by madonna on Aug 11, 2014 7:34:35 GMT -5
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Post by WahineFan44 on Aug 11, 2014 14:34:45 GMT -5
Dave addresses practice saying that he's really impressed with kalei Greeley and savannah kahakai and Kendra is a very good setter. I could see her competing for that starting spot
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Post by vballfreak808 on Aug 11, 2014 15:23:25 GMT -5
Enthusiastic Rainbow Wahine Conduct First Practicehawaiiathletics.com/news/2014/8/10/WVB_0810142037.aspx?path=wvball8/10/2014 3:11:00 PM HONOLULU – Head Coach Dave Shoji's 40th season officially got underway as the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine volleyball team held a spirited first team practice on Sunday at the Stan Sheriff Center. The practice was the first of 28 heading into the week of UH's season opener on Aug. 28 against Ohio in the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational. "We have no expectations of the team right now other than winning the Big West and getting to the NCAA Tournament," said Shoji. "Some years there are lofty expectations going into the season but that's not the case with this team. We are going to have to see how we progress in the next few weeks." UH's returning starting unit is comprised of sophomore outside hitter and 2013 First-Team All-Big West selection Nikki Taylor, junior outside hitter Tai Manu-Olevao and senior middle Kalei Adolpho. Taylor burst onto the scene last year fresh out of a stellar prep career, finishing the season second on the team in kills (284) and third in blocks (83). Manu-Olevao was third on the team with 229 kills playing alongside Emily Hartong on the left side. Adopho, a three-year starter, finished second on the squad in blocks (98) last year behind all-conference selection Jade Vorster. The other Rainbow Wahine returnees are senior defensive specialist Sarah Mendoza who will compete for the libero spot, junior outside hitters Ginger Long and Keani Passi, sophomore setter Taylor Higgins and sophomore defensive specialist Katiana Ponce. Shoji also commented on the bitter end to the 2013 season. "I think about the loss (to BYU) a lot but we have eight new players who didn't watch that and aren't bogged down by it. Others remember it which may be a source of motivation for them, but the way the season ended isn't a theme coming into camp." The 'Bows, 25-5 and 13-3 last season in Big West Conference play, were picked this week to defend the share of the league title they won a year ago. The team will be also be eyeing a 20th straight league title and 33rd NCAA Tournament appearance.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 11, 2014 15:25:41 GMT -5
Ailing elbow sidelines Rainbow Wahine's TaylorBy Cindy Luis, STAR-ADVERTISERPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 11, 2014 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM Nikki Taylor did some light conditioning during the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team’s first practice. JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM Newcomer Olivia Magill hit a ball during Sunday’s first UH practice.The only thing constant is change. It is particularly true in sports, where every new season brings new changes, from personnel to personalities, from roles to role models. With eight freshmen, a junior transfer and a redshirt junior on the 16-player roster, few would have been surprised if Hawaii had rolled out name tags along with the volleyballs during Sunday's first official practices at the Stan Sheriff Center. The much-anticipated start of two-a-days also meant dealing with the unanticipated. Sophomore hitter Nikki Taylor, second on the team in kills to All-American Emily Hartong last year, is out indefinitely with a hyper-extended elbow on her right hitting arm. The 6-foot-3 All-Big West selection and sand volleyball All-American, is cleared to practice in all things not involving the injured arm with the timeline of her full return estimated at two or three weeks. "Personally, I want to be ready for the first match (Aug. 29 against Ohio)," Taylor said. "I've seen all four of our (UH team) doctors and we're still formulating a timeline. "I need to take it how it comes, control what I can control. As of now, I'm cleared to rehab." Taylor had been expected to become the offensive focal point of coach Dave Shoji's 40th team. But this shanked pass of a situation has the all-time winningest coach in Division I women's volleyball looking at diversifying the offense even more than initially planned. "Nothing changes right now. We weren't working on a starting lineup. This week is all about working on skills," said Shoji, who brings a 1,128-189-1 record into this season. "Once Nikki gets back, she'll get up to speed as quickly as possible. "Obviously this means other players will get more (repetitions) and that will be good for them. For now, we'll go with the players we have." Enthusiasm matched the talent — tested and untested — Sunday. Junior right-side hitter Keani Passi, who sat out 2013 after transferring from the College of Southern Idaho, couldn't wait to officially get back on the court. "It was hard last year to be on the sidelines watching and not contributing during the games," said the 2012 junior college player of the year. "I'm really excited and my family is really excited to see me play. "We're young with a lot of new people. Right now we're getting comfortable with each other, still bonding, seeing who we are as a team. Expectations? I think we'll be pretty good." The expectations are very personal for 6-1 junior blocker Olivia Magill, who led Arizona in blocks (119) last season. She got a taste of Wahine fandom last September when she was named to the Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Challenge all-tournament team as the Wildcats finished second to host Hawaii. "The change for me is in understanding the tradition and culture of volleyball here," Magill said. "Hawaii is such a big deal in the volleyball world. "Even though I'm new, I am a little older and think I have things to add. I know the fans will have expectations, but I think I'll expect more than they do. I want darn near perfect and really want to improve as a player." Magill is not just penciled in as one of the starting middles; she's etched in with black felt pen along with senior Kalei Adolpho, a three-year starter. "It's going to be ‘feed the middles' this year, something that we tried to do more last year and hopefully do it this year," associate coach Scott Wong said. "Olivia is probably as athletic as Amber (former All-American Kaufman), laterally very quick and vertically (touches 10-foot-5) is up there with anyone in the country. "As for Nikki, it does hurt, she's a big part of the team. We expected we'd have some growing pains, but we also have some really good pieces out there. This will be a chance to build some depth." Hawaii has depth at all positions, most of it young. That is evident at setter, where 5-9 sophomore Tayler Higgins, who played in all 30 matches last season as Mita Uiato's backup, has experience over 6-1 freshman Kendra Koelsch. "With so many new people, it changes the dynamic," Higgins said. "Agree that there wasn't a lot of pressure on me last year — it was about gaining experience, learning a lot. This year will be different. "Right now, it's about getting everyone on the same page, integrating everyone into the team. We all have expectations. We expect ourselves to compete every day, every time we are in the gym, and we're really excited to start."
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 11, 2014 15:35:29 GMT -5
It's much too early to worry, but Wahine face challenge
By Dave Reardon, STAR-ADVERTISER
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 11, 2014
We always know the University of Hawaii women's volleyball team is going to be good.
The question year after year is how good, and the standards are higher than they are for any other team on campus, except perhaps the sailing squad.
But volleyball is high profile, a lot of people care very deeply about this team. And season-ticket sales are up.
So, when the Rainbow Wahine opened camp Sunday without the services of the next big up-and-coming star, sophomore outside hitter Nikki Taylor, it's a cause for concern — especially when we're told her ailing elbow will likely keep her out of the season-opening match and more.
Taylor wasn't going to fill the big hole left by the departure of Emily Hartong by herself, but as coach Dave Shoji says, "We had built the offense around Nikki and her skills. We don't have anybody who will duplicate that, so we may be in a different system now."
Shoji says this very calmly. He knows it's not the end of the world, it's just the start of camp. It's not a good development, but he's dealt with much worse in 40 years as the Wahine head coach.
At least in this case other players get a chance to show what they can do. Assuming Taylor heals quickly, the situation should improve Hawaii's depth, as well as the confidence level of some young players.
It is, of course, less than ideal that a new starting setter, sophomore Tayler Higgins, takes over the reins minus an All-Big West performer and with just two other returning starters, middle Kalei Adolpho and outside hitter Tai Manu-Olevao. Actually, UH was even without Manu-Olevao on Sunday for religious reasons.
Still, we've learned over the years not to worry too much about such predicaments. Some of Shoji's best teams have come out of seemingly nowhere.
The best example that comes to mind is 2004, when the Wahine won their first 30 matches and lost only one, to end the season in the NCAAs. UH had lost two of the program's all-time most-talented players, Lily Kahumoku and Kim Willoughby, and four other players considered starters.
Of course, that team 10 years ago had Kanoe Kamana‘o, a composed leader and consistently excellent force at setter.
No one is comparing Higgins to Kamana‘o, but Shoji sees potential.
"Tayler, she's a young setter, but she's very gritty. She's a very cerebral player. She understands the offense," the coach said. "She just needs time to be the general out there. She's very capable, but until you actually get out there and do it there's nothing proven about her, but we have confidence in her."
Higgins will have to project leadership and adaptability, especially with Taylor out and then again when she returns.
"This year there are more expectations. I'm a little bit more prepared," Higgins said. "More comfortable around people, the coaching staff and the girls."
Eight newcomers were not here to feel what Higgins called the "sting-y" feeling of being swept at home by BYU in the second round of the NCAA tournament last year.
Adolpho said the bitter finish to a 25-5 season did serve as motivation to prep for this one.
"Losing's never fun at any point in time. And definitely the way it happened here, the senior class we had, the position we were in. Those things all just added to how bad we felt after the loss," she said.
The loss of a key player to injury headed into a new season isn't good either, but by no means is all lost before it even begins for this edition of UH volleyball — one which (again) could be Shoji's final go-round before retirement. He wasn't saying Sunday, as he entered his 40th year of coaching the Wahine … keep an eye on his Twitter account at the end of the season — that's where he announced he'd be back for this one.
Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. Read his blog at staradvertiser.com/quickreads.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 11, 2014 23:28:13 GMT -5
Alan Kang, first Rainbow Wahine volleyball coach, diesInaugural Hawaii team went 9-1, second nationallyBy Cindy Luis, STAR-ADVERTISERPOSTED: 04:24 p.m. HST, Aug 11, 2014 LAST UPDATED: 06:15 p.m. HST, Aug 11, 2014 STAR-ADVERTISER / NOV. 1999 Alan KangAlan Kang, coach of the first University of Hawaii women's volleyball team, died Aug. 4 in Detroit. He was 70. Kang had been suffering from health problems and had moved to Michigan several months ago to live with his son, Dr. Barry Kang, a 2006 'Iolani graduate. The Rainbow Wahine went 9-1 in 1974, finishing second to UCLA at the AIAW national tournament. Dave Shoji took over the program the following year and is entering his 40th season. Kang also is survived by daughter Marci ('Iolani '06), a doctoral candidate in chemistry at Rice. His wife Ann, a former Wahine volleyball player, died in 2003. Services are set for 1 p.m. Aug. 24 at 'Iolani's St. Alban's Chapel.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 12, 2014 13:53:39 GMT -5
'Unsung hero' helped create Wahine volleyballBy Cindy Luis, STAR-ADVERTISERPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 12, 2014 STAR-ADVERTISER / NOV. 1999 Alan Kang: Recruited players from intramurals to help form the inaugural varsity teamBefore the Hawaii women's volleyball program became one of the imposing towers on the sport's intercollegiate skyline, it needed to have a solid foundation. That cornerstone was laid by Alan Kang, who took a fledgling varsity program birthed in the same year as Title IX and established a tradition that flourishes today. It was Kang, working in the intramural program at UH, who recruited players for the inaugural varsity team during the late spring of 1972. That the "Wahines," as they were called back then, won the 1973 A Division Championship, then the Open Division the next spring hinted at the greatness to come. Kang, who led Hawaii to a 9-1 mark and a second-place finish at the 1974 AIAW national championship, died Aug. 4 in Detroit, where he was living with his son, Barry, for the past two months. He was 70. The man who replaced Kang in 1975 was Dave Shoji, who learned of Kang's passing after Monday morning's practice. Now in his 40th season, Shoji remembered Kang as a friend, a former assistant and someone who was passionate about the sport. "He was here before I was, and came back to help me, volunteering his time," Shoji said of Kang, the assistant on Shoji's first national championship team in 1979. "It's sad to hear." UH associate athletic director Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano was recruited by Kang prior to her 1972 graduation from Kaimuki High. The Bulldogs had won the OIA championship and several players became the core of the first program that summer. "He probably got paid peanuts," said Moniz-Kaho‘ohanohano, UH's first female four-year varsity letter-winner. "He was very dedicated and disciplined, cared a lot about his players. That first team had the best players in Hawaii at the time. "I truly appreciate all he did. We were treading new ground back then, traveling for the (USVBA) nationals. We never felt there was nothing we couldn't do. That's where it all started." The legacy continues beyond the Rainbow Wahine program. Kang's late wife, Ann, played for Hawaii and went on to become the girls volleyball coach at ‘Iolani, winning the school's first title in that sport in 2001. "Iolani's nationally recognized preseason tournament has been renamed the Ann Kang Invitational. Twins Barry and Marci, 2006 ‘Iolani graduates, knew what their parents had done but "that wasn't what was important to them," said Barry, doctor of emergency medicine at Detroit Receiving Hospital. "They both wanted us to pursue our dreams." Ann Goldenson Kang died in 2003 after a long battle with Lou Gehrig's Disease. Marci Kang, a former all-region soccer player at Occidental, is finishing her doctorate in chemistry at Rice. "I worked very closely with Alan in the beginning of the Rainbow Wahine volleyball (program)," said Chris McLachlin, retired Punahou volleyball and basketball coach and current sportscaster for UH volleyball. "We trained the girls for the USVBA season and then he coached that first team. "He had great volleyball knowledge. He wanted to be the best coach he could be. Clearly he is an unsung hero and hasn't been given enough credit for the birth of the program. His dream was to make it bigger and better every year. And that's what it has become." Alan Hong Ik Kang was born in Honolulu on March 23, 1944. He graduated from Mid-Pacific Institute and attended Oregon State before finishing his degree at Hawaii. He worked in several fields, including as an insurance salesman. Kang is survived by brother, Felix; sister, Becky; and niece, Leila. A memorial service will be held at ‘Iolani's St. Alban's Chapel on Aug. 24 at 1 p.m. Other arrangements are pending.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 12, 2014 13:56:14 GMT -5
Alan and his wife Ann have done so much for the foundation and tradition of volleyball in Hawaii ... thank you both.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 12, 2014 13:58:04 GMT -5
Wahine ranked 17th in first pollBy News Services, STAR-ADVERTISERPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 12, 2014 Hawaii was ranked No. 17 in Monday's AVCA Coaches Top 25 preseason volleyball poll, one place higher than the Rainbow Wahine's ranking at the end of last season. It came as no surprise to coach Dave Shoji, who lost eight players — including four starters — from last season's 25-5 squad. "I honestly don't know if we're a top-10 team or if we even belong in the Top 25," Shoji said. "Time will tell. We have a tough first weekend and we'll know more about our team after that." The Rainbow Wahine open the season Aug. 29 with Ohio in the Chevron Invitational. Hawaii, with 481 points, was the only Big West team in the Top 25, but three other conference teams received votes. UC Santa Barbara was 34th with 26 points, Cal State Northridge 37th with 19 points and Long Beach State 38th with 11 points Defending national champion Penn State was selected No. 1, garnering 32 of 60 first-place votes. Texas, the 2012 champion, was No. 2 with 11 first-place votes, followed by Stanford (7), Washington and USC (2). Rounding out the top 10 were national runner-up Wisconsin (8), Nebraska, Purdue, BYU and Florida.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 12, 2014 14:02:02 GMT -5
Coaches aren’t giving UH free passes for Shoji’s 40thBy Ferd Lewis, STAR-ADVERTISERPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 12, 2014 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM Coach Dave Shoji’s Rainbow Wahine team enters the season with its lowest ranking in the AVCA poll.It seems that Dave Shoji's volleyball national coaching brethren have two messages for his coming milestone 40th season. One for the celebratory cake and one for the court: On one hand, "Congratulations!" And, on the other, "Show us what you've got, oldtimer." The latter came through loud and clear Monday with the release of the American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 preseason poll, where the accumulated wisdom of 60 coaches' ballots (Shoji did not have one) had UH a very un-Rainbow-Wahine-like 17th. In the 33 years the AVCA has been polling coaches, including four years when UH was deemed No. 1, it is the lowest the Rainbow Wahine have been picked in the preseason. And this was before the announcement Sunday that outside hitter Nikki Taylor would be out indefinitely with a hyper-extended right elbow. While, maybe, 314 of the 334 schools that play Division I women's volleyball would take a No. 17 ranking, run it up the flag pole and immediately call for an awards banquet, that isn't the way it has been in Manoa, where four national championship banners flutter in the rafters of the Stan Sheriff Center. "I can't recall being ranked that badly or poorly ... or lowly," Shoji said. "But I guess people saw what we lost -- and we did lose quite a few players -- so it is probably pretty accurate right now, as far as anybody would know. Nobody knows anything about anybody at this point, until we play." What is known is that UH lost All-American Emily Hartong and setter Mita Uiato, among other mainstays, from a 25-5 team that finished 18th. Meanwhile, it welcomed eight freshmen, half the roster, giving it a big unknown quotient when practice opened Sunday. "The only thing that would have surprised me is if we had been picked in the top 10," Shoji said. The previous low for UH in the preseason poll was 16 in 1993, when UH was coming off Shoji's worst season, a 15-12 finish that marked the only time the Rainbow Wahine failed to go to the postseason. So his fellow coaches aren't giving him any votes for old time's sake. Even a record 1,228 victories and pioneering status don't buy you that these days. It comes on the heels of an eye-opening Big West Conference coaches poll last week. The Rainbow Wahine were picked to win it, again, but for the first time in a while were hardly the usual runaway choice. UH got five of the nine first-place votes, the fewest of any conference they have been in since the 2004 Western Athletic Conference season. That was taken as a sign that the Big West, where UH had to rally to claim a tri-championship in 2013, believes the Rainbow Wahine are even more vulnerable. Never mind that none of the other Big West schools cracked the AVCA Top 25. "You have to earn your spot and we haven't done that, yet," Shoji said. "No one is going to give you any style points right now." Even if you are the sport's winningest all-time coach and this is your 40th season. Not that you imagine the uber-competitive Shoji would have it any other way. Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 13, 2014 13:12:01 GMT -5
Adolpho will keep her eye on volleyballBy Cindy Luis, STAR-ADVERTISERPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 13, 2014 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM Kalei Adolpho was a three-sport standout at Molokai High.In the fall of 2010, a wide-eyed Kalei Adolpho, then a high school senior, told a small group of media members covering Hawaii volleyball that she had committed to play for the Rainbow Wahine … in basketball. But, she said, she had been told she would be able to walk on for volleyball while on a basketball scholarship. "I'd like to do track, too," said Adolpho, an All-State selection in volleyball and basketball at Molokai. The bar of that lofty goal — Adolpho was a high-jumper after all — has been lowered to just two sports the past three years. This year, it's down to one … maybe. "I'm just doing volleyball this year," the 6-foot-1 senior middle said. "The past few seasons, basketball was always in the back of my mind and I felt basketball was getting the short end of my time. "I always felt like I was behind (when joining the team in late December). I'm excited to work out fully for just volleyball, focus on that specific workout." As for the "maybe," Adolpho cannot work out with the basketball team after the volleyball season is done. So she said she is looking for something else to do. Sand volleyball? "Been thinking about that," she said. "I will do anything to help me stay in shape. I don't know about track, but sand volleyball is a possibility. There's not too many years that you'll have this opportunity to do these things." Adolpho, who also qualified for the state high school meet in the 800-meter event, ran cross country for the Farmers for a season, capping a 13-letter career. This year, she is one of three seniors on the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team. Adolpho was second in blocks (0.93 bps) with a team-high 15 solo, and fourth in kills (2.0 kps). She played in all 30 matches and all but three sets of the 25-5 campaign. "It's going well so far," Adolpho said after Tuesday's practice. "It's a different team, a different dynamic, different personalities. It's not good or bad or anything, it's just different. "And it's different being one of the seniors. I really miss the seniors from last year, but that's how it goes. I'm trying to be that senior leader for the new players like the seniors were to me the past three years." Coach Dave Shoji said that Adolpho being able to concentrate on volleyball over the summer with sport-specific workouts will help her game and help the team. "There's not too many two-sport athletes in Division I," he said. "That she doesn't have basketball hanging over her head allows her mind to be free-er and clearer for volleyball. "Sand? It would be interesting to see her on the beach. Why not?" UH sand volleyball coach Scott Wong, the associate coach for the indoor team, is somewhat open to the idea. "We'll see when we get there," said Wong, whose team finished third nationally at the AVCA sand championships in May. "She is an athlete."
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Post by skeleton on Aug 15, 2014 12:27:49 GMT -5
WAHINE RECRUIT VISITS PRACTICE
By Cindy Luis
The first match of 2014 may be two weeks away, but for Hawaii volleyball, it's not too early to look ahead to 2015.
Casey Castillo, a 6-foot-3 outside hitter from Oceanside, Calif., affirmed her oral commitment to play for the Rainbow Wahine next season with a visit to the Stan Sheriff Center for practice. Castillo, a rising senior at Santa Fe Christian in Solana Beach, Calif., said she officially will sign during November's early National Letter of Intent period.
"We came out last year for an unofficial visit and I loved the atmosphere," said Castillo, who is vacationing with her family in Hawaii this week. "It's like nowhere else. It's just amazing how the community supports the team. Oh, my gosh, it's like going to an NFL game."
Castillo played in just one match for the Eagles last fall following surgery to repair her left ACL. She competed during the entire club season and was part of the Wave team that finished second last month in the 18 Open Division at the Girls Junior National Championships in Minneapolis.
Castillo, a PrepVolleyball.com Top 50 prospect, said her decision came down to Hawaii and nearby University of San Diego. A family connection helped things along.
Brother Alex played for Pepperdine during the time that UH associate head coach Scott Wong was assistant with the Waves.
She also liked the strong Wahine volleyball tradition and a chance to play for Dave Shoji.
"I like Coach Shoji's no-nonsense approach," she said. "I like how he pushes the team, demands a lot but in a positive way. I think I'll be a much better player after my four years here."
Shoji is not allowed to comment on oral commitments. The Wahine also are expected to sign Punahou's McKenna Granato, a 5-11 hitter, in fall.
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Post by karrietfan on Aug 15, 2014 16:01:55 GMT -5
Hoping that Shoji is still coaching for the 2015 season. With the addition of Castillo and Granato, UH will be talented enough to challenge the top BCS teams, with Magill, Higgins, Taylor, Olevao, Greeley, Maglio, Passi, Kahakai and others with a year under their belt.
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Post by mcman27 on Aug 15, 2014 16:33:33 GMT -5
Hoping that Shoji is still coaching for the 2015 season. With the addition of Castillo and Granato, UH will be talented enough to challenge the top BCS teams, with Magill, Higgins, Taylor, Olevao, Greeley, Maglio, Passi, Kahakai and others with a year under their belt. Was thinking the exact same thing last night. Next year looks exciting if most or all stay with UH. Personally looking forward to seeing Koelsch, Passi, Kahakai and eventually Castillo play.
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