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Post by Cubicle No More ... on May 19, 2015 22:51:24 GMT -5
From the Star-Advertiser blog: Tuesday: Wahine lose 0-4 to Italyby CINDY LUIS on MAY 19, 2015 Excerpt: "Hawaii had its moments but lost 25-18, 25-17, 25-17, 25-20. They decided to play a minimum of four sets. When the Wahine could pass, they could run their offense. Think people will be pleased by Maglio’s development. There weren’t a lot of hitting errors on either side. . . ." Full post here: hawaiiwarriorworld.com/volleyshots/tuesday-wahine-lose-0-4-to-italy/
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Post by Victory At Hand on May 20, 2015 5:06:45 GMT -5
Dave Shoji needs to keep an eye on that 16 yr old, Paula Egonu. Try to get her over here to play for the Wahine come 2016, or 2017. She could just be the next Tee Williams, or Kanani Danoldson. Has a ton of international experience already. Will be on the Italian Olympic team come 2016. More like Kim Willoughby. Egonu has a fantastic serve!
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on May 20, 2015 14:25:21 GMT -5
Italian National Team fires 18 aces at the WahineBy Cindy Luis, Honolulu Star-AdvertiserPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, May 20, 2015 CINDY LUIS / CLUIS@STARADVERTISER.COM Castello Sforzesca.MILAN » The day began and ended with a lesson on defense and of its importance. Seeing how the Castello Sforzesco (Sforza Castle) defended the city of Milan beginning in the 14th century while on a morning sightseeing tour was like seeing how the Italian National Team defended the Pallazzetto, its home court at the Centro Pavesi training center. No touring American college team has won an "amichevole" — a friendly, in international competition terms — against the Italians. Nothing changed Tuesday. While official statistics were not kept, unofficially Italy had 18 aces in the 25-18, 25-17, 25-17, 25-20 win. (The coaches agreed to play at least four sets). Eight of those aces were by rising star Paola Egonu, a dynamic outside hitter born in Italy of Nigerian ancestry who is just 16 years old. Her jump serve — reminiscent of former Wahine Jane Croson's sky ball — often froze Hawaii's serve-receive with its speed and knuckleball-like movement. "The serves were coming in like bullets," incoming senior hitter Tai Manu-Olevao said. "We started comparing it to (former Wahine All-American Emily) Hartong's. Hartong has a mean serve, but this was something else. "What did I learn? I definitely need to hit the weight room harder." That likely will be what Manu-Olivao writes down after the players were asked by coach Dave Shoji to make journal entries of what each one can do to improve on and off the court. The Wahine can put words into action when they play the Slovenia National Team on Wednesday in northern Italy (6 a.m. Hawaii time). The Wahine again will be at a disadvantage. As with the Italians (with the exception of Egonu), the Slovenian roster is composed of professional players who are older and with international playing experience. The match also will use the FIVB Mikasa volleyball and the FIVB rules that limit substitutions. It all but eliminates the defensive specialist and has middle blockers who normally sub out now serving and passing in the back row. "I thought we competed hard, we just couldn't handle their jump serve," Shoji said. "So that put us in a hole every game. "When we did get a pass, we were able to score. I thought our players stepped up and didn't back down. We didn't have a lot of out balls (hit long or wide). This is what we came for." Veteran Italian coach Marco Bonitta was equally pleased with his players, many of whom were not on the roster when Italy finished fourth as the host of last fall's FIVB World Championship. "I'm happy because we scored a lot of points off our serve, something we practice so much," he said. "For me, that is a good situation. "Hawaii is younger than us, but they have a good future in front of them. Congratulations to them, they played a good game." It was a game that, incoming sophomore libero Savannah Kahakai said, had distinct differences. "It definitely was a different level of energy out there," she said. "They are way faster and stronger. "Their serves were really tough, the ball floats a lot, but we did dig them, and knowing that we can is good." Set 4 was the closest, with both teams using a number of reserves. Kendra Koelsch replaced Tayler Higgins at setter, Megan Huff saw her first action on the outside and graduating seniors Ginger Long (outside) and Kalei Adolpho (middle) helped Hawaii take a 17-16 lead, its first that late in a set. At 18-18, Italy used a 5-0 run to pull away for good and start preparing for its match Wednesday against Kansas. Star-Advertiser reporter Cindy Luis is accompanying the Wahine volleyball team on its trip to Europe, where the team will train and play exhibition matches. Luis will provide daily accounts in print and online of the trip. Follow her cindyluis_SA.WORD OF THE DAYamichevole (ah-MEE-chay-vo-lay) » a friendly. a non-counting competition.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on May 20, 2015 14:26:19 GMT -5
Luis wins media award from USA VolleyballBy Star-Advertiser staff POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, May 20, 2015 LAST UPDATED: 01:43 a.m. HST, May 20, 2015 STAR-ADVERTISER Star-Advertiser sports reporter Cindy Luis.COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. » Honolulu Star-Advertiser sports writer Cindy Luis has been named as this year's E. Douglas Boyden Media Recognition Award winner, USA Volleyball announced Wednesday. The award recognizes media organizations and/or individuals who have supported volleyball on a continuing basis and who have significantly contributed to the growth of the sport. Luis, who has spent nearly 35 years covering volleyball and other sports in Hawaii, first for the Star-Bulletin and then the Star-Advertiser, played an instrumental role in media coverage leading up to two 2014 USA Volleyball Cup matches in Honolulu between the U.S. Women's National Team and Brazil, the top two teams in the world. It marked the first time USA Volleyball brought national-team-level matches to Hawaii since 1996. "I am very humbled and honored to be selected for this award," said Luis, who is on assignment with the Hawaii women's volleyball team in Europe. "I also am very fortunate to have worked since 1981 for Hawaii newspapers that have given the attention to the sport that it deserves. Hawaii has had a strong tradition of success in volleyball at all levels for decades and I'm very proud to have been able to share that with our readers." Based on the success from last year's matches in Hawaii, the U.S. Women's National Team will return to Honolulu for this year's USA Volleyball Cup matches. Team USA, ranked No. 1 in the world after winning the 2014 FIVB World Championship last October, will host No. 3 China on June 5-6 at the Stan Sheriff Center. China lost to the U.S. in the World Championship title match. USA Volleyball officials will present Luis with her award during next month's USA Volleyball Cup. Luis also has been recognized for her work by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, Pacific West Conference, Women's Sports Foundation, Hawaii Interscholastic Athletic Directors Association, Kalos Kagathos (international sports coverage), Hawaii Publishers Association, the Honolulu Quarterback Club and the International Surfing Museum. Her contributions to the annual Rainbow Wahine volleyball preview have helped lead to national and regional awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Society of Professional Journalists.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on May 21, 2015 16:06:54 GMT -5
Star-Advertiser blog: Wahine lose 0-4 to Slovenia, Koelsch injuredby CINDY LUIS on MAY 20, 2015 ". . . On Koelsch, she slid into the ref’s stanchion on the first play of Set 4, her first action of the night. Cut her right hand and they took her out. Team doesn’t play Thursday so she’ll rest it and may be out Friday’s match in Moribor. Didn’t sound too serious but they will know more Thursday. As for the match, some good moment and not so good. Slovenia obviously a veteran team with older players. One of the younger ones, Ziva Recek who will be a senior this fall [at Florida]. had a nice match. She is looking forward to playing at Hawaii in Sept. . . ." Full post here: hawaiiwarriorworld.com/volleyshots/wahine-lose-0-4-to-slovenia-koelsch-injured/
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on May 21, 2015 16:11:15 GMT -5
Wahine greeted by former star Gustin
Former Wahine standout Maja Gustin, who played in three final fours, greets the team in her native Slovenia
By Cindy Luis, Honolulu Star-Advertiser
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, May 21, 2015
GORICA, Slovenia >> The European trip taken by Hawaii is one of growth, as a volleyball team and as individuals. The Rainbow Wahine saw that preoblikovanja, that transformation, personified when former all-conference player Maja Gustin greeted them inside the Slovenian national team’s HIT training center.
Gustin didn’t drive some two hours from her home in Celje just to see two of her former teams — Hawaii and Slovenia — face each other in a very informal friendly. She came to reconnect with the part of her life that molded her as a person and the one she will continue to become.
“When I played around the world, in many different places, I always talk about Hawaii, how much I received there,” the 35-year-old Gustin said. “The nature in Hawaii is beautiful of course but even more beautiful are the people of Hawaii.
“There is a transformation of a person when you live there. I lived there for five years and I grew as a person in more positive ways because of so much love and kindness that I received. It hits your heart and it stays there forever.”
Gustin left her mark on Hawaii as well, playing middle and outside from 2000-03, with three NCAA final four appearances. She might be remembered more for her sweet nature and kindness.
“She is such a good person and it’s good to see her so happy, and having a family,” Rainbow Wahine coach Dave Shoji said. “I know she had such a great experience at Hawaii.”
Gustin continued her pro career until two years ago when she gave birth to her daughter. She and her fiance, Matjaz Ceraja, who is aiming to represent Slovenia in judo for a third consecutive Olympics next year, welcomed their second daughter three months ago.
“It was exciting when I heard that Hawaii was coming here,” she said. “It was, well, if I cannot come to Hawaii because I have two little babies, then Hawaii is coming to me.
“I am so happy, beyond the words happy, to see the team, to see Dave (Shoji). I am really happy now.”
Gustin could not stay for the entire match, one that Slovenia won 25-22, 25-11, 25-18, 25-18. (As happened Tuesday with the Italian national team, the match went to four sets).
Hawaii again struggled with serve-receive when playing with the FIVB-regulation volleyball. The Rainbow Wahine also agreed to play by international rules, which kept the middle blockers in the back row to serve and play defense.
Still, Hawaii received good reviews from the Slovenian team.
“I was surprised, they played really good against us,” assistant Matjaz Hafner said. “The are not used to this ball and their biggest problem was passing. We have a good serve and that was the key to the match.
“They were good at blocking and I like the setter (Tayler Higgins). It was hard to judge the middles because of the passing, but overall I thought they played good.”
No official statistics were kept but unofficially Hawaii was aced eight times, better than the 18 produced by Italy on Tuesday. The Wahine also gave up runs of points, outscored 9-1 to end Set 2 and 9-1 to begin Set 3.
That they remained in every set save for the second was a good sign, Shoji said. But he hopes that the players will be quicker to make adjustments during their next matches with Slovenian and Czech club teams.
“It was a tough day trying to get here,” Shoji said of the 400-mile trip that began in Milan and included the match across the Italian border. “Obviously we played a very good national team. We just couldn’t handle their serves. We were out of system so much that there is no chance to win like that.
“This is a good learning experience for the players and the coaches. But we need the players to pick things up quicker and make the adjustments faster.”
Hawaii has a day off from the gym Thursday and will have to adjust to having just one setter for its match on Friday in Maribor, Slovenia, and beyond. Reserve setter Kendra Koelsch cut her right hand when diving for a ball and hitting the bottom of the referee’s stanchion on the opening play of Set 4.
She had to have stitches in the hand and will not be available to play the rest of the trip.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on May 21, 2015 16:13:12 GMT -5
man, that's too bad about koelsch getting injured. it looks like she won't be playing anymore this trip. i would've liked/hoped for her to get more reps in at setter.
hope she gets better soon!
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Post by ballervolley on May 21, 2015 16:35:01 GMT -5
i kinda wish they waited til next summer to take this trip unless there is another trip for next summer with the newer group.
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Post by skeleton on May 21, 2015 17:19:36 GMT -5
man, that's too bad about koelsch getting injured. it looks like she won't be playing anymore this trip. i would've liked/hoped for her to get more reps in at setter. hope she gets better soon! Robyn now becomes the back up setter.
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Post by Courtside5 on May 22, 2015 9:33:40 GMT -5
man, that's too bad about koelsch getting injured. it looks like she won't be playing anymore this trip. i would've liked/hoped for her to get more reps in at setter. hope she gets better soon! Robyn now becomes the back up setter. He he, yeah awesome.
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Post by cindyluis on May 23, 2015 4:27:09 GMT -5
Checking in from Maribor. To address a few things Egonu is already a pro and cannot play collegiately. Teams are only allowed to travel iabroad once every four years so no trip will be planned for 2016. The only reason Ah Mow-Santos would be used is if Higgins gets hurt.
Ciao for now.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on May 23, 2015 17:09:45 GMT -5
Rainbow Wahine experience Europe's past and present Wahine see the grandeur of Venice and the grim reality of Slovenia before heading to Maribor for a match on FridayBy Cindy Luis, Honolulu Star-AdvertiserPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, May 22, 2015 LAST UPDATED: 01:43 a.m. HST, May 22, 2015 Published on May 22, 2015 Rainbow Wahine volleyball coaches Dave Shoji and Jeff Hall cruise down the Grand Canal in Venice during the team's European trip. Video by Cindy Luis.Venice, ItalyMARIBOR, Slovenia >> On its historic tour of Europe, the Hawaii volleyball team got history lessons on both sides of the Italy-Slovenia border Thursday. The Rainbow Wahine walked and rode the storia, the history of Venice, from the centuries-old San Marcos Cathedral to the Grand Canal via water taxi. The evening’s lesson came after a 31⁄2-hour bus ride to Maribor and was far more sobering. The zgodovina, the history of present-day Slovenia is as young as it has been embattled for centuries, the latest culminating in independence in 1991 following the breakup of Yugoslavia. Hawaii was to tour Maribor on Friday before its afternoon match with Nova KBM Branik, the town’s well-respected pro volleyball club, at the training center that is within walking distance of the team’s hotel. Hawaii has yet to take a set on its trip, having lost to the national teams of Italy and Slovenia on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. While Nova KBM Branik is not expected to be as challenging as the teams earlier this week, the Rainbow Wahine added another loss Wednesday with the injury to reserve setter Kendra Koelsch. The incoming sophomore cut the palm of her right hand during Wednesday’s match when she slid into the unpadded referee’s stanchion. After a consult with the team’s physician back in Hawaii, Koelsch had stitches and a tetanus shot during an overnight visit to the emergency room. Koelsch remained upbeat Thursday, saying she had some pain, but was disappointed she was not going to play the rest of the time in Europe. “We’re disappointed for her,” coach Dave Shoji said. “But she can still work on some things such as footwork. It was just an unfortunate freak accident.” It leaves incoming junior Tayler Higgins as Hawaii’s lone setter. Barring an emergency, the Wahine will not have to dig into their history when reactivating three-time Olympian and two-time All-American Robyn Ah Mow-Santos, UH’s current assistant coach. “Taylor is our setter and the matches will be nothing more than a normal, every-day match,” Shoji said. “It was a nice opportunity to play Kendra but this will help Tayler to play all the way through.” Nova KBM Branik is not at full strength either, with several players in France in preparation for its match with the French national team on Saturday. “In my opinion, this will be the weakest match of all their matches,” tour operator Cory Solomon, a former assistant volleyball coach at Utah, said. “Their national team members are gone and so are some of their professionals who play for other teams. But they still have several of the players from their junior national team who will play. “We’re very happy that the University of Hawaii is here. It is known world-wide about the great volleyball tradition. They’ve been fantastic, very low maintenance. We’ve had teams where the kids get lost, are late, don’t clean up the hotels … There have been zero problems on my end with the Hawaii team.” Coming to watch the Rainbow Wahine play on Friday are former Rainbow Warrior setter Nejc Zemljak and former men’s basketball player Ales Zivanovic. On Saturday, Hawaii will play the Slovenian junior national team made up of mostly under-21 players. The Rainbow Wahine were scheduled to get in some cross-training Saturday with a ropes course and an Alpine slide but those, as well as other planned outdoor activities, will hinge on the weather. Rain is expected through the weekend. NoteCindy Luis will be on the “Bobby Curran Show” on KKEA AM-1420 Friday morning between 6 and 9.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on May 23, 2015 17:11:22 GMT -5
Wahine grab first win in EuropeThe Wahine spend a relaxing — if chilly — day in Slovenia and get their first taste of victory against a young club teamBy Cindy Luis, Honolulu Star-AdvertiserPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, May 23, 2015 Maribor, SloveniaMARIBOR, Slovenia » There has been little down time, little time to sprostite (relax) during the whirlwind of a tour for the Hawaii volleyball team. Finally, on Friday, the Rainbow Wahine were able to chill out — literally — in the 50-degree rainy weather on a tour of Maribor city center in the morning and play relaxed in the afternoon match against a young Novo KBM Branik club team from Maribor at the Dras Center. The day ended with an elegant meal of regional cuisine at a picturesque winery and promises of sleeping in Saturday morning and a trip to the neighboring hotel for indoor swimming and sauna. "We had such a long bus ride (Thursday) that it's been nice to sightsee today and be a tourist," Wahine outside hitter Nikki Taylor said of the four-hour trek from Venice to Maribor. "It is so green here and I'm enjoying all the scenery. It's reminds me of one of my favorite movies, ‘Lord of the Rings.' It looks a lot like The Shire." The Rainbow Wahine were more than ready for a break after a week's worth of traveling. Friday marked the halfway point of the four-country, 12-day tour. "It's been a great experience, but it does feel like we've been on the road for a while," incoming sophomore hitter Kalei Greeley said. "It's definitely worth it. We've seen so many things. "Slovenia is green, beautiful and a lot colder than it's been." Hawaii also had been frozen out of the win column in two matches, losing 4-0 to both the Italian and Slovenian national teams. The Rainbow Wahine finally warmed up its serve-receive and passing games en route to a 25-17, 25-21, 25-23, 25-18, 15-11 victory. The coaches agreed to play five sets, Hawaii's Dave Shoji to give all 11 healthy players court time and Novo KBM's Bruno Najdic a chance to give his younger players experience. The Slovenian team was definitely not the same one that won the Women's Middle European League title in February for the fourth time in six years. They were without five of their veterans, who are playing for the senior national team against host France on Saturday, and had a 15-year-old setter running the show against the Rainbow Wahine. Still, Hawaii could have been flat mentally and physically Friday afternoon but wasn't. The Rainbow Wahine established their game early against the smaller Slovenes, with improved passing allowing Tayler Higgins to set the middle, an offensive weapon that had been missing earlier in the week. Incoming senior hitter Tai Manu-Olevao continued to impress opposing coaches with her physicality and explosiveness. Najdic also singled out Higgins for her setting and UH's two returning middles — incoming senior Olivia Magill and incoming sophomore Emily Maglio — for their blocking and elevation. "Hawaii has very big, very strong players," Najdic said. "I think they will be a very good team (this season). And a number of them should be able to go on and play pro." The Rainbow Wahine close out the Maribor stop Saturday with an afternoon match with a Slovenian under-22 team. Hawaii then moves on to Vienna on Sunday and will have matches in Prague from Monday through Wednesday. NoteHaving dinner with the team Friday were former Warriors setter Nejc Zemljak (2008-11) and former Rainbow Warriors basketball player Ales Zivanovic (1995-97). Both are from Maribor and have remained active in their respective sports — Zemljak helping with the beach division of Bring It Promotions and Zivanovic as a coach and running camps at the youth level.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on May 23, 2015 17:16:52 GMT -5
Star-Advertiser blog: Koelsch out for tour, team now in Maribor, Sloveniaby Cindy Luis on May 21, 2015 Excerpt: "Tweeted around 930 p.m. HST last night that Koelsch was out for the tour. that was 930 a.m. in Venice. Didn’t have access to update this. on a bus to Venice proper ... Shoji joked that they’d use Ah Mow-Santos as a second setter then said, seriously, that she would be the emergency backup but didn’t anticipate using her. Team will tour Moribor town in the morning, return to training center for lunch, play against the very good Maribor club team, then have a dinner featuring regional cuisine. ... Nejc Zemljak and Ales Zivanovic scheduled to meet up with the team Friday as well." Full post here: hawaiiwarriorworld.com/volleyshots/koelsch-out-for-tour-team-now-in-maribor-slovenia/
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on May 23, 2015 17:18:38 GMT -5
Star-Advertiser blog: Saturday sleep-in and match this afternoonby Cindy Luis on May 22, 2015 Excerpt: "Team had a great time with the dinner at the Doppler winery restaurant. Beautiful place but unfortunately we didn’t get to enjoy the 360 view because of the rain and darkness. As mentioned previously, think the players enjoyed dressing up for dinner. ... After lunch they tape, have serve and pass then match around 3 a.m HST. It’s supposed to be against the Slovenian junior team but not sure. Things keep changing. The Dras Center is like an athletes village. Currently staying are the Slovenian men’s team and Croatian women’s team. They had discussed playing Croatia but their coach said they weren’t game ready, having just started practices." Full post here: hawaiiwarriorworld.com/volleyshots/saturday-sleep-in-and-match-this-afternoon/
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