|
Post by Wolfgang on Dec 4, 2016 16:53:16 GMT -5
It's time for a new Hawaii thread. On to 2017!
Various issues surrounding this team:
1. Will Dave Shoji be back? If not, who will replace him? 2. Any possible transfers OUT of the team? 3. Any possible transfers IN to the team? 4. Will Hawaii be able to find or develop a dominant hitter like Nikki Taylor, Emily Hartong, Kanani Danielson, and Kim Willoughby next year? 5. Will Lindsey Berg return? If not, why not? Does she truly like Los Angeles more than Hawaii? Come on...Los Angeles is a dump! 6. Will Emily Maglio make the transition from middle to opposite? Given that it took Nikki Taylor to find her groove in 2.5 years, I'm not sure the senior-to-be Maglio will have the time to develop into a dominant hitter at right side. 7. Should Savannah Kahakai remain as the libero or should the position be up for grabs for the likes of Emma Smith, Gianna Guinasso, and Clare-Marie Anderson? 8. What role will Kendra Koelsch play? Norene Iosia is the setter and Kendra is not a killing machine. 9. Where will Casey Castillo land? At middle? Opposite? Outside? 10. Will Kalei Greeley ever return to her pre-shoulder surgery self or will she forever play back row? 11. And what about Natasha Burns? Will she continue to develop or has she plateaued? 12. Is McKenna Ross seriously considered for one of the hitter spots? 13. Speaking of McKenna, will McKenna Granato ever elevate her play or has she plateaued? 14. Some posters mentioned the possibility that Norene Iosia may transfer? True or false? 15. Incoming recruits include:
Janelle Gong (5'9" Outside/Libero) California/Campolindo HS Sophia Howling (6'2" Middle) California/Venice HS Shaney Lipscomb (6'1" Middle/Opposite) California/Cathedral Catholic Arden Misraje (6'2" Outside/Opposite) California/Crossroads HS Skyler Williams (6'2" Middle) California/Mayfield HS
Who will make an immediate impact? Who is a project?
16. Finally, how will the NCAA screw Hawaii in 2017?
Your thoughts?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2016 17:01:14 GMT -5
Just out of curiosity, why would you replace Kahakai at libero? Or do you want her to play elsewhere?
I also don't understand why elite recruits don't flock to UH. Seems like volleyball paradise to me, and not just in the pun-sense. I know there's more to school than your sport, but still ...
|
|
|
Post by Wolfgang on Dec 4, 2016 17:15:21 GMT -5
Just out of curiosity, why would you replace Kahakai at libero? Or do you want her to play elsewhere? I also don't understand why elite recruits don't flock to UH. Seems like volleyball paradise to me, and not just in the pun-sense. I know there's more to school than your sport, but still ... Good question from a newbie (re. all things Hawaii): 1. Kahakai has been inconsistent in the passing department. Also, other liberos have consistently outplayed her in the Big West. She sometimes gets spectacular digs but she also doesn't get digs she's supposed to get. Also, I like Emma Smith's potential. 2. Why don't elite recruits flock to Hawaii? It's a complicated matter. Here's a summary: a. The University of Hawaii doesn't have the resources that the Big Ten, Pac-12, Big XII, ACC, and SEC have -- primarily due to the TV package. b. Nationally, UH isn't considered a top flight academic institution except for a few majors (e.g., marine biology) that no volleyball player could major in because of the time commitment. c. Locally, UH is not a destination of choice for the top students and athletes from Hawaii. For some, UH is where you go if you're a "loser." This is the sentiment. I don't believe it's the case, however. You can get a great education all over the USA. Disclaimer: I grew up in Hawaii but I went to mainland schools. I never once considered attending UH. In fact, despite being a Hawaii fan, I have no connection whatsoever with UH. LOL! d. Given that you can get a great education everywhere in the USA, why pick Hawaii which is located thousands of miles away in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? If you're going to major in communications, English, or Spanish, why do you need to attend UH? e. UH doesn't play in a powerhouse conference. For some athletes, this matters. f. UH sports teams aren't that great, so campus morale isn't that high. g. UH is considered a commuter school so there's not much in the way of a vibrant campus. h. Many mainlanders aren't comfortable with the change in culture -- and Hawaii has a culture that's different from the mainland. i. The athletic facilities pale in comparison to many mainland schools. j. Hawaii sports team have to travel a LOT! k. Many people get island fever. Stuck on a rock and can't go anywhere. For example, I live in California and if I wanted, I could just get in my car and drive anywhere I wanted to, including Minnesota. Hawaii residents don't have that luxury. l. The cost of living is really really high. Everything from food to gas to cars to, most importantly, housing.
|
|
|
Post by Northern lights on Dec 4, 2016 18:34:59 GMT -5
Just out of curiosity, why would you replace Kahakai at libero? Or do you want her to play elsewhere? I also don't understand why elite recruits don't flock to UH. Seems like volleyball paradise to me, and not just in the pun-sense. I know there's more to school than your sport, but still ... Good question from a newbie (re. all things Hawaii): 1. Kahakai has been inconsistent in the passing department. Also, other liberos have consistently outplayed her in the Big West. She sometimes gets spectacular digs but she also doesn't get digs she's supposed to get. Also, I like Emma Smith's potential. 2. Why don't elite recruits flock to Hawaii? It's a complicated matter. Here's a summary: a. The University of Hawaii doesn't have the resources that the Big Ten, Pac-12, Big XII, ACC, and SEC have -- primarily due to the TV package. b. Nationally, UH isn't considered a top flight academic institution except for a few majors (e.g., marine biology) that no volleyball player could major in because of the time commitment. c. Locally, UH is not a destination of choice for the top students and athletes from Hawaii. For some, UH is where you go if you're a "loser." This is the sentiment. I don't believe it's the case, however. You can get a great education all over the USA. Disclaimer: I grew up in Hawaii but I went to mainland schools. I never once considered attending UH. In fact, despite being a Hawaii fan, I have no connection whatsoever with UH. LOL! d. Given that you can get a great education everywhere in the USA, why pick Hawaii which is located thousands of miles away in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? If you're going to major in communications, English, or Spanish, why do you need to attend UH? e. UH doesn't play in a powerhouse conference. For some athletes, this matters. f. UH sports teams aren't that great, so campus morale isn't that high. g. UH is considered a commuter school so there's not much in the way of a vibrant campus. h. Many mainlanders aren't comfortable with the change in culture -- and Hawaii has a culture that's different from the mainland. i. The athletic facilities pale in comparison to many mainland schools. j. Hawaii sports team have to travel a LOT! k. Many people get island fever. Stuck on a rock and can't go anywhere. For example, I live in California and if I wanted, I could just get in my car and drive anywhere I wanted to, including Minnesota. Hawaii residents don't have that luxury. l. The cost of living is really really high. Everything from food to gas to cars to, most importantly, housing. When you consider all this, Shoji looks like a miracle worker. No wonder he is so revered. Top coaches may find this all pretty daunting, not to mention the new Coach has to follow a legend. I often here Dan Fischer of Pitt being pegged, to be the next Head Coach at Hawaii. Is there any substance to this?
|
|
|
Post by wishinwestcoastvb on Dec 4, 2016 18:37:10 GMT -5
After watching these last two matches... I was very impressed with Emma Smith. I would be happy to see her have a shot at the libero jersey
|
|
|
Post by Courtside5 on Dec 4, 2016 19:14:37 GMT -5
If Dave does retire how will that affect the NLI's coming in? Are they obligated to stick to it or can they back out?
|
|
|
Post by cbrown1709 on Dec 4, 2016 19:14:58 GMT -5
Are there not any great recruits from Hawaii? All incoming are Cali girls. How did Kan, Mau, and Anae get away?
|
|
|
Post by rainbowbadger on Dec 4, 2016 19:17:26 GMT -5
My $0.02: c. Locally, UH is not a destination of choice for the top students and athletes from Hawaii. For some, UH is where you go if you're a "loser." This is the sentiment. This bit seems particularly true for kids who went to the elite prep schools (Iolani, Punahou, Kamehameha). The unstated mission of those schools seems to be "We will get your kid into a good mainland college." Just like how some parents seem to consider club volleyball as an investment in getting their child a college volleyball scholarship, so do parents seem to consider the astronomical tuition of those prep schools to be an investment in getting their kid admission to a mainland college. Not saying it's right, but it's the situation. So a Hawaii kid will probably favor a mainland university over UH for academic reasons, real or perceived. k. Many people get island fever. Stuck on a rock and can't go anywhere. This is real. This is very real. Add in the fact that local kids probably get island fever and see a scholarship to a mainland school as their ticket off the rock. They can always come home after if they want, but if they don't leave now, they never will. Also consider that it goes the other way: Elite mainland players' parents can't come see them play. Much was made about how Annie Mitchem's family would finally get to see her pay because the Wahine were up in Minneapolis. Think about Wisconsin: Our players from Northern Wisconsin, Chicago & the Twin Cities have parents in the stands for most matches. Deme Morales's parents made the 8 hour drive from Ohio for many matches. Even Haleigh Nelson, whose family lives in North Carolina, has them there for several matches each year. A Hawaii recruit who isn't from California (near Big West schools) likely won't have her parents able to see her at all during the season. That's really important to a lot of players and families. h. Many mainlanders aren't comfortable with the change in culture -- and Hawaii has a culture that's different from the mainland. OMG this. So much this. As a haole who married a local, let me tell you that it's SO INCREDIBLY DIFFERENT in Hawaii. OMG. A white person moving to Hawaii will likely be a racial/ethnic minority for the first time in their life, which can be jarring and off-putting. If you're from a place where there aren't a lot of Asian people around, you will wind up violating a lot of cultural norms, putting your foot in your mouth, creating awkward situations, etc. (Somebody show a highlight reel from Rainbowbadger's first trip to meet the Rainbow-in-laws.) This will also explain why lots of kids from SoCal tend to come to Hawaii: there ARE a lot of Asian people there. It doesn't feel uncomfortable. I would imagine that there are a ton of recruits who go visit Hawaii and just don't feel comfortable there the way they do with a mainland school because the culture is different, so they pick a place that feels more like home. That's not necessarily a bad thing. It is what it is. It's just the situation Dave finds himself in. It's what he's up against.
|
|
|
Post by rainbowbadger on Dec 4, 2016 19:18:30 GMT -5
If Dave does retire how will that affect the NLI's coming in? Are they obligated to stick to it or can they back out? Technically the NLI is with the school, so they are obligated to stay. However, in the event of a coaching change, we've seen lots of recruits ask for and be granted releases. Whether the players choose to stay will depend a lot on the succession plan and, IMO, whether the assistants who recruited them remain at UH. Continuity in staff is good. Abrupt change is bad.
|
|
|
Post by Courtside5 on Dec 4, 2016 19:19:15 GMT -5
Are there not any great recruits from Hawaii? All incoming are Cali girls. How did Kan, Mau, and Anae get away? They probably weren't offered scholies or wanted to play someplace else. I'm guessing they got offered scholies from other schools and didn't wanna walk on at UH. After all why walk when you can ride for free.
|
|
|
Post by rainbowbadger on Dec 4, 2016 19:20:17 GMT -5
Are there not any great recruits from Hawaii? All incoming are Cali girls. How did Kan, Mau, and Anae get away? They probably weren't offered scholies or wanted to play someplace else. I'm guessing they got offered scholies from other schools and didn't wanna walk on at UH. After all why walk when you can ride for free. I have a hard time believing that Dave didn't offer a single one of them. Or does he do the thing where he saves schollies for out of state players and expects local girls to walk on?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2016 19:24:53 GMT -5
I've heard many of those things before, but it seems like the main one would be the travel issue for parents. Because, otherwise, why do landlocked islands like Happy Valley and Lincoln do so well?
Anyhow, if I were 1) really good at volleyball, 2) a female, and 3) a teenager I'd be sorely tempted. I am none of those things, however. The sad thing is the one I am closest to being is a female. Just the one chromosome off.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2016 19:25:42 GMT -5
They probably weren't offered scholies or wanted to play someplace else. I'm guessing they got offered scholies from other schools and didn't wanna walk on at UH. After all why walk when you can ride for free. I have a hard time believing that Dave didn't offer a single one of them. Or does he do the thing where he saves schollies for out of state players and expects local girls to walk on? I didn't get the impression Mau was highly recruited. But maybe I totally misunderstood that from the get-go.
|
|
|
Post by Courtside5 on Dec 4, 2016 19:27:50 GMT -5
They probably weren't offered scholies or wanted to play someplace else. I'm guessing they got offered scholies from other schools and didn't wanna walk on at UH. After all why walk when you can ride for free. I have a hard time believing that Dave didn't offer a single one of them. Or does he do the thing where he saves schollies for out of state players and expects local girls to walk on? A lot of times yes. He usually saves one hoping that will attract a big time transfer.
|
|
|
Post by roy on Dec 4, 2016 19:30:31 GMT -5
I have a hard time believing that Dave didn't offer a single one of them. Or does he do the thing where he saves schollies for out of state players and expects local girls to walk on? Remember that there are a limited number of scholarships. Mau and Kan were in the same year as Taylor and Higgins. Both of those recruits did very well at their schools, but did not come in as being highly touted. If you take one of them, you have to give up giving a scholarship to Taylor or Higgins. Not sure about Anae, but Shoji has done a very nice job of keeping the local girls in Hawaii. There really aren't a lot of players that you can say "got away" from Hawaii over the years.
|
|