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Post by rainbowbadger on Dec 5, 2016 12:49:15 GMT -5
I'm not sure it's conference. IMO, the #1 factor is island fever / distance. Top-level recruits from Hawaii may see volleyball as their ticket out. Top-level recruits from the mainland aren't sure if they want to go that far away. Yes, you see Midwest teams with one or two Cali players, and you see Cali teams with one or two Midwest/East Coast players, but Hawaii needs many more kids to make the trip. It's a big, big hurdle, made even bigger, IMO, by the fact that kids today* aren't as independent as kids used to be, and are closer with and more dependent on their families and hometown crowd. *Obligatory cane-shake. It is definitely the conference. Hawaii has no trouble keeping the vast majority of it's top recruits home This is proven by history. Anyone who actually understands how big Wahine volleyball is here throughout the community knows why. And as I stated previously, Hawaii had no trouble landing top recruits from the mainland when it was on top of the volleyball world and even after. It may a a hurdle for some but those recruits wouldn't be good fits for Hawaii anyway. If someone is going to be off-put because their race is not the huge majority, then they need to stay home where they are nice and comfy. Fortunately, Hawaii has landed many recruits from all over who embraced and loved the experience. I'm well aware of how big Hawaii VB culture is. Just trying to air out all the possibilities. You think the biggest reason is the size of the stage?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2016 13:11:21 GMT -5
I think I already answered that.
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Post by Wolfgang on Dec 5, 2016 13:19:06 GMT -5
All of you who complained about what I said, you forget that I'm a big U of Hawaii fan. I want Hawaii to be better but the bigger boys have been very successful elbowing and marginalizing the U of Hawaii -- and I don't see that changing. So, I stand by what I said. I'm not ragging on Hawaii. I'm stating the realities as I see them. I grew up there, listened to the radio broadcasts of UH football games (during the Dick Tomey and Larry Price years) and basketball telecasts (during the Larry Little years) -- including the miserable 1-26 campaign in 1977-78. (BTW, the only game I didn't watch during that 1-26 year was their sole victory. LOL!) My family left Hawaii in the late 1970s for the mainland. I still followed UH sports via Honolulu newspapers which I could access at the local library. (No Internet then.) Then, it was college and post-college stuff and I stopped following. With the advent of the Internet, I could follow UH sports again in the mid- to late-1990s. I visited UH frequently in the past 15 years. I have a house in Hawaii Kai which I occupy two weeks at a time, twice a year. As I broadened my horizons and visited more and more campuses over the years, I realized how utterly lacking Hawaii's facilities were -- most were not the fault of UH. The bigger boys just got bigger and the little boys couldn't catch up. The politics of sports. Ditto academics.
The way to increase UH's competitiveness is through donors. They need to give $$$ via endowments and shore up or otherwise establish programs, facilities, and scholarships. I think Shoji wanted a permanent endowment in the millions to support all 12 Wahine scholarships -- something that is not happening today. He needs alums and other donors to give $$$ to the program. That's the only way. I've set up endowments at a couple schools and you'd be amazed at what a difference you make. (No, my money is not going to the big boys. I hate making the rich even richer.) You can talk all you want about coaches and recruiting top players but the only thing that will truly elevate the status of UH is $$$. With $$$, improve the academic side, improve the athletic facilities, increase the number of scholarships for all students. When you build up UH this way, more and more students will want to make UH an academic destination -- and athletics will benefit from that wave.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2016 13:41:11 GMT -5
I don't disagree with what you are saying in this last post regarding not having the same resources (hence my conclusion that competing with the power conferences is the main problem) but it doesn't change the responses that the facilities, other UH sports, and UH academics are not nearly as bleak as you tried to make it sound. Of course, lots of money would help any program. Pony up.
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Post by huskerjen on Dec 5, 2016 13:56:16 GMT -5
It is definitely the conference. Hawaii has no trouble keeping the vast majority of it's top recruits home This is proven by history. Anyone who actually understands how big Wahine volleyball is here throughout the community knows why. And as I stated previously, Hawaii had no trouble landing top recruits from the mainland when it was on top of the volleyball world and even after. It may a a hurdle for some but those recruits wouldn't be good fits for Hawaii anyway. If someone is going to be off-put because their race is not the huge majority, then they need to stay home where they are nice and comfy. Fortunately, Hawaii has landed many recruits from all over who embraced and loved the experience. I'm well aware of how big Hawaii VB culture is. Just trying to air out all the possibilities. You think the biggest reason is the size of the stage? Cook has had recruits tell him they were intimidated by the intensity of Nebraska's volleyball culture. It typically benefits Nebraska though. It self-selects for mental toughness and desire to play on a big stage. So I'm not sure it hurts Hawaii either. If anything, I agree with the distance/isolation issue.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Dec 5, 2016 15:45:40 GMT -5
Hawaii nearly dug out of hole at NCAA tournamentBy Cindy Luis, Honolulu Star-Advertiser December 5, 2016 ERIC MILLER / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER Senior Annie Mitchem was one of many Rainbow Wahine to play through injury this season. Freak injuries to both pinkie fingers kept the 6-foot-3 Mitchem sidelined for the final 12 matches of 2015 and nine matches of this season. The holiday present wasn’t wrapped up with the bow the Rainbow Wahine wanted. Saturday’s NCAA tournament loss to second-seeded Minnesota had Hawaii two matches shy of matching last season’s bracket ride, and three of getting to its first final four since 2009. The 23-6 campaign was one of high highs and low lows, of expectations that continually were bandaged or iced, from All-American Nikki Taylor bookending her senior year with injuries, to senior Annie Mitchem breaking a second pinkie finger, to junior Kalei Greeley relegated to back-row passing duties when her recovery from offseason shoulder surgery didn’t progress as expected. The pieces were there to make a deep run into the NCAA tournament but the pieces weren’t in place early enough. Hawaii, currently ranked 12th in the coaches poll, dropped four of its five preseason matches against power-five conference teams, a win or two against Wisconsin, Kansas State, UCLA or Washington should have gone a long way to boosting the Wahine’s RPI, the Ratings Percentage Index used to measure a team’s strength of schedule and to seed the top 16 of the NCAA tournament. All four teams that defeated Hawaii early on received seeds and hosting duties. All but Kansas State have advanced to this week’s regional play, as has the one power-five team that the Wahine (last RPI 23) rallied to beat in five: Arizona. “I think our preseason shaped our destiny,” Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said of his 42nd year in Manoa. “When we lost those four, we really had no chance to get back into the top 16, not with our conference. “Obviously missing Nikki for three matches and Annie for nine hurt our chances to win some of those early matches. Once we were fairly healthy, after tweaking things to get our best lineup, we were really good at the end.” After losing a heartbreaker to Washington in five, Hawaii won its next seven and 18 of its last 19, the lone defeat coming at Long Beach State in five where several UH players were battling flu-like symptoms. The closing run of 11 straight included eight consecutive sweeps, winning 25 sets in a row and five matches where the opponents did not score more than 19 points in any set. Ten of those victories led to Hawaii successfully defending its Big West title, its 10th in the BWC and 26th overall. The all-conference honors followed with Taylor repeating as Player of the Year and becoming just the sixth Wahine and 10th in Big West history to be named to the first team all four years. Shoji was named Coach of the Year for the sixth time in the Big West and 14th overall in his Hall of Fame career, and setter Norene Iosia was the Freshman of the Year, UH’s fifth Big West FOY and 12th overall. Five starters were named to the first team, led by Taylor. Joining her were Mitchem, Iosia, junior middle Emily Maglio and junior libero Savanah Kahakai. Kahakai became the 14th Wahine to record 1,000 digs. She had 17 in Saturday’s loss, giving her 416 on the season and 1,001 for her career. Shoji said one of the brightest spots was the play of Taylor, who is likely to repeat on the All-American team. She finished 12th in kills on the UH all-time career list (1,277), eighth in aces (117) and was nationally ranked in three categories: aces (51), kills per set (4.59) and aces per set (.65). Taylor injured her left ankle three points into Saturday’s match in Minnesota. No information has been released about her status. There also was the continued progression of Maglio as a dominating middle (ranked 19th nationally in hitting percentage at .393, and 24th in blocks at 1.24 bps). The surprise may have been the emergence of freshman walk-on Emma Smith who rose above Hawaii’s five other “littles” to become the No. 1 defensive sub. She had an outstanding performance in Saturday’s loss at Minnesota, with eight digs and 8-for-8 on serve-receive. It was the 24th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, 36th overall, for the Wahine, who missed only in 1992. Although Shoji said he’ll make an announcement later this week about whether he’ll be back for his 43rd season, next year’s schedule is beginning to form. UCLA will be back for its annual visit, along with Utah and likely BYU. Other teams have tentatively agreed to travel to the Stan Sheriff Center but, without a signed contract, Shoji didn’t want to name names. Hawaii will return four starters — 13 letter-winners in all — as well as redshirts Faith Ma’afala, the former Kamehameha setter, and Rika Okino, a defensive specialist out of Kalani. There are three scholarship players coming in — 6-2 middle Sophia Howling, 6-2 middle Skyler Williams and 6-1 middle/opposite Shaney Lipscomb — as well as two invited walk-ons in 5-9 libero Janelle Gong and 6-2 hitter Adren Misraje; all five are from California. The Wahine lose seniors Taylor, Mitchem, setter Tayler Higgins and defensive specialist Katiana Ponce. Also gone will be former Warrior all-American Tom Pestolesi, who took a one-semester sabbatical from coaching and teaching at Irvine Valley College to be a volunteer assistant for Shoji, his former coach. “ ‘Pesto’ was the shining light every day in practice,” said Shoji, who also coached the UH men’s team from 1979-85. “He had such a positive influence on the girls, brought a lot of energy in to the gym.” There is a question if first-year assistant Lindsey Berg will be back. The three-time Olympic setter was on a one-season contract that expires at the end of the month; she has several business ventures in Los Angeles. “Lindsey has a bright future in coaching, has a lot to offer,” Shoji said. “She was tremendous in her role. I hope she returns but she has a lot of irons in the fire.” And Shoji’s future? “I think everyone is prepared for me to retire,” he said. “Whether I actually do or not … I’ll take a few days off, talk with my family and my team. There will be some sort of announcement by the end of the week.”
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Post by 2left on Dec 5, 2016 16:59:20 GMT -5
My $0.02: Many mainlanders aren't comfortable with the change in color ulture -- 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. Hawaiianbadger - that comment on culture is hilarious. I am Asian and grew up in Hawaii for 23 years, but always wondered how Caucasian and African Americans felt adapting to a culture that in many situations can be less than accepting. It was much worse in the 70s and 80s when I grew up. Conversely, I thought the Wahine, being a team of color even back in the 80s, might have made other women of color more comfortable compared to the ethnic homogeneity of other top teams of that era. (Look back at 80s matches against Stanford for examples.) Anyway, I too developed island fever back in college, went away for grad school, and have been away ever since. Although I consider Hawaii my home, visit often and want to retire there (soon?), I hope people understand that many kids enjoy the wide range of activities, arts, and travel options that living in the mainland provide. Hawaii has more than its share too, but in a different way. Like Coach Rolo would say, there are kids that want to come to or stay in Hawaii, and that's who he recruits.
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trojansc
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Post by trojansc on Dec 5, 2016 17:17:15 GMT -5
I just hope Nikki's injury is not a volleyball career ending one. And I may be in the minority here, but if this injury isn't a volleyball career ending injury, I do wish she would bypass playing beach volleyball for the Bows and give her body a much needed rest. Had the UH team not had the injuries at the beginning of the season they would have probably lost no more than 1 match...would have been a huge difference for them when the playoffs came and would have been virtually impossible for the committee too screw them like they did..... With Nikki Taylor, Hawaii beat USC 15-13 in the 5th. And USC had a transition swing to take the lead at 12 all and to tie it at 14. USC was playing without its starting MB, and OH2. And their replacements probably wouldn't start on any Pac-12 team. (no offense to Murtaugh or Livingston) I think Hawaii is a great team - but let's not be delusional now
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Post by rainbowbadger on Dec 5, 2016 17:20:28 GMT -5
My $0.02: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. Hawaiianbadger - that comment on culture is hilarious. I am Asian and grew up in Hawaii for 23 years, but always wondered how Caucasian and African Americans felt adapting to a culture that in many situations can be less than accepting. It was much worse in the 70s and 80s when I grew up. Conversely, I thought the Wahine, being a team of color even back in the 80s, might have made other women of color more comfortable compared to the ethnic homogeneity of other top teams of that era. (Look back at 80s matches against Stanford for examples.) Anyway, I too developed island fever back in college, went away for grad school, and have been away ever since. Although I consider Hawaii my home, visit often and want to retire there (soon?), I hope people understand that many kids enjoy the wide range of activities, arts, and travel options that living in the mainland provide. Hawaii has more than its share too, but in a different way. Like Coach Rolo would say, there are kids that want to come to or stay in Hawaii, and that's who he recruits. Yeah! It didn't make me uncomfortable per se. It was just weird. Different. All of a sudden not everybody looks like you. Woah. I said to Rainbowspouse, "Now I know what you must've felt like moving to Northern Wisconsin." IMO something more white people should experience. I'm used to it now and find it comfortable/comforting. Didn't take long. Helped that I was family, but in general Hawaii people are the warmest, most welcoming bunch I've ever met. Also, they've elevated check-stealing at restaurants to an art form.
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Post by Wolfgang on Dec 5, 2016 17:25:48 GMT -5
A couple times when I dined at Tatami (an all-you-can-eat Asian buffet place -- used to be called Todai), members of the Asian families who sat at the table next to ours all reached for the check when it arrived and insisted on paying. Once, it got so loud that I turned around and said, "If you guys want to take care of my check, I won't mind at all." They all stopped arguing. Dead silence. Then, they all laughed. And they continued to bicker about the check. They didn't pay for my meal. Grr...
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Post by rainbowbadger on Dec 5, 2016 18:07:21 GMT -5
I think my mother has only successfully treated the Rainbow-in-laws to one meal, ever. And that was after Rainbowspouse took the RILs aside and asked them to please let her get the check because it would mean a lot to her.
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Post by madonna on Dec 5, 2016 19:00:38 GMT -5
Had the UH team not had the injuries at the beginning of the season they would have probably lost no more than 1 match...would have been a huge difference for them when the playoffs came and would have been virtually impossible for the committee too screw them like they did..... With Nikki Taylor, Hawaii beat USC 15-13 in the 5th. And USC had a transition swing to take the lead at 12 all and to tie it at 14. USC was playing without its starting MB, and OH2. And their replacements probably wouldn't start on any Pac-12 team. (no offense to Murtaugh or Livingston) I think Hawaii is a great team - but let's not be delusional now Why are you bringing up the Hawaii-USC match as a response to bill's post, when he was clearly referring to something else? Unless you're saying, if Taylor and Mitchem didn't get injured just before the season started and Greeley had fully recuperated from her off season surgery before the season started. Hawaii's record would still be the same (23-5) or worse going into the NCAA playoffs. Plus the outcome/score of the Hawaii-USC match would have turned out the same or Hawaii losing. Is that what you're saying?
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Post by Wolfgang on Dec 5, 2016 19:21:00 GMT -5
I suppose it wouldn't matter much if the bench players suffered injuries, but in Hawaii's case, only the KEY STARTERS suffered injuries. How tragic is that? It's like Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, and John Taylor of the 49ers (from the 1980s) inactivated due to injuries. (I would've said Joe Montana, but he's the QB and we all know Norene Iosia was healthy.) So many hopes for this team and ONLY the key players that Shoji was relying on to propel this team deep into the NCAAs go down. Taylor, Mitchem, Greeley. If there is such a thing as karma (as some posters have said), Shoji must've done something awful to suffer through all this at the most critical times (beginning of the season for RPI purposes; end of season during NCAAs).
Personally, I don't believe in karma.
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Post by bill on Dec 5, 2016 20:55:11 GMT -5
A couple times when I dined at Tatami (an all-you-can-eat Asian buffet place -- used to be called Todai), members of the Asian families who sat at the table next to ours all reached for the check when it arrived and insisted on paying. Once, it got so loud that I turned around and said, "If you guys want to take care of my check, I won't mind at all." They all stopped arguing. Dead silence. Then, they all laughed. And they continued to bicker about the check. They didn't pay for my meal. Grr... Wolfie, you are a HALL OF FAME TROLL!
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Post by Courtside5 on Dec 5, 2016 21:17:28 GMT -5
Can I chime in. Just wanna say that i'm a Kama'aina from Hawaii born and raised. Grew up in Ewa Beach hanabata days and lived in Kailua Junior high through high school. Went to Kalaheo high. Btw, i'm a haole who grew up in a diverse culture. It was rough especially on kill haole days which some of you well know. But wasn't too bad because my step-father was Samoan. I had alot of support from my step-brother who looked out for me so rarely got harassed. That being said, people in Hawaii are generally warm and friendly and most treat everybody with respect and like family. Knowing how to adapt and uderstanding the people is key to whether you will be comfortable there. It's a melting pot of Nationalities. A person who is an outsider and didn't grow up there can find it difficult to adjust. I know I did when I left the Islands and lived in Missouri and San Diego for a while when going to school. I'm haole but it felt weird being surrounded by so many caucasians. I guess I'm more comfortable with the diversity. But hey that just me.
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