|
Post by pineapple on Dec 21, 2006 15:21:34 GMT -5
pineapple....you seem to be having a conversation with yourself! I know he is reading. anyway, I wrote it one after another to make my point. gave him no time to interrupt me.
|
|
|
Post by pineapple on Dec 21, 2006 15:33:43 GMT -5
We'll yes, the schedule is pretty weak ... atleast compared to the last couple of seasons. However, I don't believe its THAT bad of a move. These are all still quality teams and one of the problems I had was the fact that UH scheduled so many top teams this season (and 2005). I know everynoe wants to see the Stanfords, Penn States, and Floridas, but quite frankly, the Wahine have been pummeled the past two seasons by these calibre teams. Why? Because the Wahine have so much depth inconsistency in the team chemistry. This year, (before the injuries), Shoji shuffled in player after player and the team really lacked chemistry and ROLES, the top teams exploited that. ATLEAST, the Wahine have some time to adjusts and see what they got next season. Plus, they have a chance to evaluate players and build chemistry, against quality teams, rather than being pummled by the top 5 teams. I dunno. maybe its just me. I think you hit it on the head. When the Wahine should be rebuilding in the last 2 seasons, they're faced with their toughest schedule ever. They're still in the "building" stage, so it's not a bad idea to go slow for a change.
|
|
|
Post by hwnstunner on Dec 21, 2006 17:37:26 GMT -5
Yay, I'm glad I'm not wrong. lol. But yes, give them time to connect with each other.
Take this season for example. The Wahine got backhand slapped by Florida, Stanford, and UCLA.
But that was due to the lack of chemistry and a FINAL lineup. You don't have time to evaluate players against the top 10 teams.
Then, to close the season the Wahine upset USC. And that was because of the chemistry the team built since the NMSU loss. Same lineup. Same players. Same roles. Same success.
|
|
|
Post by hwnstunner on Dec 21, 2006 17:40:26 GMT -5
And besides, UCLA is present and the article states Shoji wants to bring in atleast one top team in Thanksgiving.
With what we can make out of the schedule so far, the Wahine should be meeting teams from the Top 15-30 or so as well. Then theres NMSU in the WAC along with SJSU and Idaho (who should have better seasons). So althought the schedule may not be the strongest, it's definitley not the weakest.
|
|
|
Post by Aikea on Dec 21, 2006 18:04:19 GMT -5
I guess I'm in the minority but I like the tough schedule. In the preseason the Wahine will be able to assess where they are and where they need to be. They make adjustments during the WAC and then play a good team after the WAC season to see how much they improved and what more needs to be done.
|
|
|
Post by hwnstunner on Dec 21, 2006 18:05:21 GMT -5
Ahh and I can't help. So I'm going to give my outlook too.
1. Libero. Lee and Ka'aihue are going to be a 1-2 punch in the backrow next season. Lee was one of the most surprising stories for the Wahine as a freshmen, and Ka'aihue is coming in as a stud. I think Ka'aihue is much more consistent than Lee, so I wouldn't count her out on becoming next year's libero. She is also four or five inches taller as well. Lee had a great season, but had passing breakdowns here and there. Not to take anything away from her though, she had a great year. In any case, these two will bring back the strength of the Wahine backrow specialists. Duggins and Woolford also return, but both had waaaaay too many unforced errors in the backrow, especially on free balls. I think they'll both be in the mix, but playing time may decrease with the addition of Ka'aihue. Oh, and then there's Kitaguchi, Ong, and Recca. *Sigh .. I really hate to say it, but it's time to clean the defensive specialist spot. Seven is just way too many IMO, and the reps should be given to those who are going to play.
2. Middle. Sanders and Gregory's blocking was so dominant this year. I don't think the Wahine have had such a strong blocking tandem in school history. Like other posters have said, I think Seely and Wong really achcored the "evolution" of the Wahine block. In anycase, I expect these two to hold their positions for their senior seasons. I think both need to work on being more offensive, as I think the Wahine will need to rely on the middle more next season. What's even greater is that both were unknown out of high school. Sanders was overshadowed by Arnott and Kamana'o on their club team and Gregory was an outside hitter in high school. Shoji really molded these two in the studs. Thomas is back, you have to think she's in the mix. I'm still not sold on how good she is, but then again, I've rarely seen her play. Kaufman and Blood provide quick and fast depth in the middle and I think Simmons should redshirt.
3. Rightside. All I have to say, is this is Hittle's position. I've said this over and over, but her swing, quickness, athletisicm, ball handling, and explosiveness is fit for the rightside. She's not that much of a blocker, but we'll see what happens next year. If she can atleast return to her freshman year form, she'll have a good year. She does have a lot to prove though, she's been mediocre the past two seasons in the front because of her injuries. After Hittle? Hawaii can go the third middle route and put Thomas or Kaufman on the right, but that lessons the options on that position since both can only hit slides. Keefe is capable and Arnott could as well. But I'm not convinced either could provide the "total package" that Hittle does.
4. Outside. Houston. 'Nuff said. The question is the L2. Hittle is probably the top candidate there ... but I'd like to see her on the right. If Otineru DOES come back, I think she'll take up the next spot. Other options are Keefe and Arnott, but again, I don't see those two being able to give the Wahine what they need out of an outside. Sigh, I would love to have Mason for another year. =/
5. Setter. I don't even wanna touch that because I don't know anything about Mafue and/or recruits. Ka'aihue and Otineru can set though, which makes a 6-2 a possibility, especially with Otineru. But ahhh...
Passing should be better. Defense should be better. hope the Wahine continue to practice their dominant float serves which caused teams havoc this year. Blocking will be good in the middle, but the outside blocking is what made the difference this year. Houston and Mason on the outside and Kamana'o and Kaufman on the right were deadly. The players taking KK and Mason's spots will hopefully be as good. Setting should be present. lol. Offense has potential, but the Wahine need two players to step up and help Houston. Transition plays/offplays should be better with better passing.
Prediction? I think the wahine, without injuries ... will be a top10 team. They are overmatched in the top 5 right now, but if the Wahine can get the other two outsides near Houston's level and if the setter can do even 80% of what KK did this year, they could go a bit higher than 10.
|
|
|
Post by roy on Dec 21, 2006 19:46:08 GMT -5
I guess I'm in the minority but I like the tough schedule. In the preseason the Wahine will be able to assess where they are and where they need to be. They make adjustments during the WAC and then play a good team after the WAC season to see how much they improved and what more needs to be done. I agree that I enjoy the tougher schedule. I generally think that seeing your weaknesses in the beginning of the year shows a team what they need to work on. My worst fear is that they will not see a top team after UCLA and will get upset in the NCAA tournament because they don’t know how to respond to a top team later in the season. And while the WAC is stronger, NMSU is the team that may potentially be ranked, and with the loses of their key players, they may not be a top 25 team. Also, the committee takes strength of schedule into account for the seedings and this schedule may hurt their seeding. However, I do disagree that the Wahine had issues with chemistry and their schedule in the past few years. While the chemistry has not been great, the 2005 and 2006 team, on paper. were suppose to be really strong. However injuries fell into play and that hurt Hawaii’s win/loss record.
|
|
|
Post by nodisrespect on Dec 21, 2006 20:47:30 GMT -5
Until I see any Heather Bowns or Kim Willoughbys or Lily Kahumokus in next year's squad, I will say that Hawaii will only be in the top 15. The only good player that you have is Jamie Houston, but she is no Willoughby. Just an average Therese Crawford. BTW, I think Kamana'o is overrated. You can disagree all you want, but she was never THAT good. Good setter but not GREAT. And I've seen how many Hawaii fans compare her to Robyn Ah Mow-Santos. She ain't got nothing on Ah Mow-Santos. Didn't Kamana'o choke at the last play of the '03 semifinal against Florida? The finally NCAA ranking for 2006 puts Hawaii #9. www.avca.org/collegiate/dipoll/dipoll12-20-06.asp(See related thread on final ranking.) This ranking is the one we would think to be carried over into 2007. Wow, for someone who is not a fan of the Wahine, you seem to know a lot of Hawaii players...Willoughby, Bowns, Kahamoku, Crawford, Houston, Kamanao, Ah Mow....you probably can name many more players right off the bat....Lima, Tee, Kee, Lundquest, etc. You seem to be very obsessed about Hawaii. Rankings mean nothing. You never realized that? Any team can fall to any given team at any time. If rankings mean so much, I bet most of you are whining because USC was placed 8 even though Hawaii beat them. I guess you DID NOT have time to read this whole thread because I stated that my mom is a diehard Wahine fan. When you've grown with your family for 18 years who keeps up with volleyball, basketball, and football , you are bound to watch tv with them. So yes, I know a lot about the Wahine because of the required Wahine and Warrior tv nights. I am a fan but not to the extremes like some people. And who is to say that you need to always say nice and positive things about a team to be a fan? I love Lebron James, but there are things about him that I do not like. He choked on a couple of occasions when his team was relying on him, but I'm STILL a fan. I'm sick of my mom saying "They'll be even better next year" every year. Well, if that's the case, they should be at the FF every year. And if the truth hurts so much, just move along and don't reply to me. Mahalo.
|
|
|
Post by pineapple on Dec 21, 2006 20:51:09 GMT -5
You are sick period. Why mention top 15? Isn't that ranking? Don't implicate your mom. SO she is a Wahine fan. I wasn't referring to mama. you live up to your name for sure..
|
|
|
Post by nodisrespect on Dec 21, 2006 20:57:01 GMT -5
You are sick period. Why mention top 15? Isn't that ranking? Don't implicate your mom. SO she is a Wahine fan. I wasn't referring to mama. you live up to your name for sure.. Again, someone who cannot handle the truth. How am I sick? Someone has some anger issues. Some Hawaii fans can dish about other teams like Nebraska but will not let anything happened to their beloved Wahine. Don't dish if you can't handle it. Period. This is my last post in this thread because apparently being positive and saying wonderful things about Hawaii is the only criteria here.
|
|
|
Post by pineapple on Dec 21, 2006 21:00:16 GMT -5
thank god!
|
|
|
Post by ACE on Dec 21, 2006 23:06:14 GMT -5
If shoji plans on bringing in a ranked team during Thanksgiving weekend, does that mean the WAC Tournament will be gone or moved up a week?
|
|
|
Post by lazybones on Dec 22, 2006 1:39:36 GMT -5
If shoji plans on bringing in a ranked team during Thanksgiving weekend, does that mean the WAC Tournament will be gone or moved up a week? Yes, the WAC Tournament will still be around. I recall reading in an earlier thread that it will be held a week earlier next season though, freeing up that slot in the Wahine schedule.
|
|
|
Post by Mix Breed-TEXAS,HI,LBSU on Dec 23, 2006 13:14:30 GMT -5
Perhaps you should come to Hawaii for a vacation and see how beautiful life really is. Win a title or lose, there are many happy things we in Hawaii do which you too could do. It's really awesome in our universe. That's mostly true, except for the crazy-ass traffic, cockroches that fly, and all the meth heads stealing your checkbook and trying to cash forged checks at Star Market. ;D LOL........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
Post by sexy on Dec 23, 2006 16:04:02 GMT -5
get rid of that wac tournament -- that tournament is in no way in favor of any bottom feeders of the wac getting a chance to make the ncaa tournament -- if this was truly meant for the bottom feeders to get a chance to make the ncaa tournament - the top team would not have a bye on the first day and the bottom seeded team would not have to play two matches the first day of the tournament not to mention have that bottom seeded team to start off that day of the tournament playing the 2nd seeded team -- this wac tournament is soley for money making only!!
|
|