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Post by fetchin on Apr 19, 2015 22:38:38 GMT -5
As a big fan of Magill, I kind of wish she would redshirt, and play her final year with Iosia setting.
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Post by Wolfgang on Apr 20, 2015 0:45:52 GMT -5
I think you have to make the best with what you have. Heather Bown did really well w/ three different setters throughout her career, possibly four (I don't know who set her at UCSB).
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Post by 5100 on Apr 20, 2015 2:46:04 GMT -5
I feel for the backrow players -- Gianna Guinnaso, Clare Marie Anderson, Katiana Ponce, and Savannah Kahakai. It seems like Shoji goes through them like matchsticks. Use one, burn them up, and throw them away. I think there have been more backrow players who quit or transferred than any other position, primarily because he brings in so many in August. Katie Spieler, now a great beach player, barely see the court when she was indoor. Elizabeth Blake transferred. I forgot the names of the others. How does Shoji determine the libero and first DS sub? Does he use some sort of point system during practice to generate the depth chart? Is Kahakai really the best backrow player or is she merely the one being groomed by Shoji? Last year's back row players were actually quite lucky in terms of playing time compared to previous batches. Everyone got significant minutes, although I wasn't sure why Guinasso didn't get as much time as Anderson. I like Ponce's serve, so it's good that Shoji used her. Katie Spieler didn't play at all. She was in the same class as Ponce and both of them redshirted. I believe Spieler also had a foot injury during that time. Blake is not a good example of a player who quit because she didn't play. In fact, she played more than she should have, in my opinion. Shoji sat Emily Maeda so Blake could be the libero, when it was clear in several matches that she wasn't quite ready yet. I do agree that almost every year there are back row players who quit or transfer, including Kristina Kam, who rarely saw the court and ended up starting as libero for Azusa Pacific, Kayla Kawamura, Alexis Robins, Sarah Prather, Rayna Kitaguchi and Elise Duggins. Kahakai is good, but I also believe that Shoji is grooming her to be the libero. She's the "anointed one" like Elizabeth Ka'aihue and Blake.
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Post by jr67 on Apr 20, 2015 14:52:42 GMT -5
If Kahakai can consistently play as well as she did in the exhibition match against Texas then the libero position is hers not because she's Shoji's "anointed one" but because she earned it.
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Post by Wolfgang on Apr 21, 2015 14:40:29 GMT -5
Before each season, I like to imagine what the new recruits would be like. I'm usually wrong, of course. At times, however, I'm right. You may not believe me but I imagined Jane Croson would be a dynamite player who would implode due to poor grades or poor attitude or both. I saw her either transferring or dropping out. I didn't think Ginger Long would see much playing time. I saw Jade Vorster as being unhappy because of her Christian beliefs in a team full of pagan worshippers. I knew Emily Hartong would be great in every way that you'd want a teammate to be -- but not as great as she actually turned out to be! I thought Jamie Houston would be a dud compared to Kim Willoughby. I didn't see Nikki Thomas completing her eligibility due to injury, dissatisfaction, or both. I had no clue about Sarah Mason. I was wrong about Kanani Danielson (Kanani Herring as a prep). I thought she wouldn't be able to handle the taller and stronger block in the college game. I was wrong about Tara Hittle, K. Goodman, Michelle Waber, and Amanda Simmons. (I think everyone was wrong about Amanda Simmons.) I thought Nohea Tano would be underwhelming and ineffective at the net. I was wrong. She was serviceable.
McKenna Granato -- I think she'll be like Kanani Danielson, but possibly better because she's taller. But Danielson was an incredible talent so I don't know.
Casey Castillo -- Due to her injuries, I think she won't have a tremendous impact. She'll be merely okay. She'll be like Nikki Thomas, someone who is capable but not all-world. I think she'll struggle somewhat in her first two years. I don't see her using up all her eligibility.
Annie Michem -- I think she will never meet people's expectations. She'll be solid like Jennifer Roberts but not like Heather Bown. But who can be like Bown? As an OH, she'll be like Maja Gustin. For some reason, I don't see her dominating like she did at the JC level.
Natasha Burns -- Another Jade Vorster. A solid wall but awkward hitter.
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Post by chisovnik on Apr 21, 2015 15:15:31 GMT -5
Before each season, I like to imagine what the new recruits would be like. I'm usually wrong, of course. At times, however, I'm right. You may not believe me but I imagined Jane Croson would be a dynamite player who would implode due to poor grades or poor attitude or both. I saw her either transferring or dropping out. I didn't think Ginger Long would see much playing time. I saw Jade Vorster as being unhappy because of her Christian beliefs in a team full of pagan worshippers. I knew Emily Hartong would be great in every way that you'd want a teammate to be -- but not as great as she actually turned out to be! I thought Jamie Houston would be a dud compared to Kim Willoughby. I didn't see Nikki Thomas completing her eligibility due to injury, dissatisfaction, or both. I had no clue about Sarah Mason. I was wrong about Kanani Danielson (Kanani Herring as a prep). I thought she wouldn't be able to handle the taller and stronger block in the college game. I was wrong about Tara Hittle, K. Goodman, Michelle Waber, and Amanda Simmons. (I think everyone was wrong about Amanda Simmons.) I thought Nohea Tano would be underwhelming and ineffective at the net. I was wrong. She was serviceable. Granato is not even close to Danielson's level.
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Post by Wolfgang on Apr 21, 2015 15:33:05 GMT -5
I thought Lauren Duggins would be better than she turned out to be. I know she was named All-American her final year, but I witnessed that season and she didn't seem like an All-American at all. At best, All-Conference. It was one of those fluke selections. But she was great at the net, getting a lot of touches. That's one thing that I always undervalued -- touches. If you can slow down an opponent's attack to allow your teammates to convert it into an offensive opportunity, how wonderful! They should keep a stat on touches.
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Post by sasa on Apr 22, 2015 15:24:42 GMT -5
Before each season, I like to imagine what the new recruits would be like. I'm usually wrong, of course. At times, however, I'm right. You may not believe me but I imagined Jane Croson would be a dynamite player who would implode due to poor grades or poor attitude or both. I saw her either transferring or dropping out. I didn't think Ginger Long would see much playing time. I saw Jade Vorster as being unhappy because of her Christian beliefs in a team full of pagan worshippers. I knew Emily Hartong would be great in every way that you'd want a teammate to be -- but not as great as she actually turned out to be! I thought Jamie Houston would be a dud compared to Kim Willoughby. I didn't see Nikki Thomas completing her eligibility due to injury, dissatisfaction, or both. I had no clue about Sarah Mason. I was wrong about Kanani Danielson (Kanani Herring as a prep). I thought she wouldn't be able to handle the taller and stronger block in the college game. I was wrong about Tara Hittle, K. Goodman, Michelle Waber, and Amanda Simmons. (I think everyone was wrong about Amanda Simmons.) I thought Nohea Tano would be underwhelming and ineffective at the net. I was wrong. She was serviceable. McKenna Granato -- I think she'll be like Kanani Danielson, but possibly better because she's taller. But Danielson was an incredible talent so I don't know. Casey Castillo -- Due to her injuries, I think she won't have a tremendous impact. She'll be merely okay. She'll be like Nikki Thomas, someone who is capable but not all-world. I think she'll struggle somewhat in her first two years. I don't see her using up all her eligibility. Annie Michem -- I think she will never meet people's expectations. She'll be solid like Jennifer Roberts but not like Heather Bown. But who can be like Bown? As an OH, she'll be like Maja Gustin. For some reason, I don't see her dominating like she did at the JC level. Natasha Burns -- Another Jade Vorster. A solid wall but awkward hitter. Very interesting WG. Here are my thoughts, which are not based on anything more than a few posted videos, Punahou matches, and a guess. ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Granato: Although I don't see her as strong as Kanani, I think she'll have a great career at UH, and end up as an L2 similar to, but not exactly like, Jane Croson. She hits a heavy ball, passes well, and plays very good back row. Depending on where Mitchem ends up, McKenna could work her way to starting line up this season, as her passing and back row are superior to Olevao's IMO. Annie Mitchem: I expect her to play the middle position and contribute in the way that Victoria Prince did during her two year run, maybe even better. Very quick, and very effective both on offense and defense. I don't know what she's like as an outside, so I won't comment on that. Natasha Burns: I see her being similar to Jade Verster, but better at both blocking and hitting. I think she'll redshirt this season if Mitchem plays middle. In 2016, if Iosia is as good as advertised and can set Burns effectively, I see her playing like Lauren Williams of USC by the end of her career. Casey Castillo: My guess is that she'll play similar to Michelle Waber, but with better ball control. She'll play this year as a back up, and take one of the starting positions by her junior year. **I know my predicitions may seem 'optimisitic', but I see good things coming from this class. Go Bows!
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Apr 22, 2015 15:30:08 GMT -5
Wahine add 6-5 middle blocker
By Cindy Luis, Honolulu Star-Advertiser
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Apr 22, 2015
The recruiting game is often one of chance, of luck, of timing. And also of scholarship availability.
Sometimes the stars align to make it work months after it appeared it wouldn't.
Such is the case with Natasha Burns.
The 6-foot-5 middle blocker from Hamilton, Ontario, is a late addition to the Hawaii women's volleyball recruiting class as a freshman this fall. Burns, who originally signed with West Virginia, will fill the scholarship that opened after it was decided that Megan Huff would be on basketball scholarship when playing both sports next school year.
Burns used Twitter to announce that she would be a Rainbow Wahine and told the Star-Advertiser, "To say it was exciting would be an understatement. I tried to keep it on the down-low until I knew 100 percent that everything was going to work out.
"I used to dream about going to a school with a volleyball program as strong as UH's. It seems like a dream. I can't wait to get onto the campus, meet my new teammates and coaches. My family is very excited for me. My mother, whom I'm very close with, is sad about the distance, but she's very proud of me and supports my decision 100 percent. Not surprisingly all my family members want to visit."
Burns had been on Hawaii's recruiting radar but was told there was no scholarship for 2015. She signed with West Virginia in November, but when coach Jill Kramer resigned in late December to take a job at TCU, Burns requested a release from the Mountaineers.
Former Hilo High All-State selection and UCLA All-American Reed Sunahara, hired by West Virginia in February, gave Burns her release in March. Her recruiting coordinator, Kevin Horne, contacted Hawaii — "Always what I considered my top pick for a university," Burns said.
(Hawaii coach Dave Shoji cannot discuss the situation until Burns is enrolled at UH).
Burns said she was attracted to the Rainbow Wahine program because of its success, the coaching staff and the marine biology program, her choice of major. Besides volleyball, which she "took up almost on a a whim" in eighth grade, she played basketball for three seasons in high school.
"I decided to stop (basketball) in grade 12 because of the extra stress it put on my body and that it overlapped with my volleyball," Burns said. "As to why I chose volleyball, I would say it chose me. It started a little spontaneous — I decided to try out about an hour before tryouts started — and I ended up going with it."
She has represented Canada at the International Children's Games and helped her club to an 11th-place finish at the Canadian Nationals. Burns will be the second Canadian on the Rainbow Wahine roster, joining current freshman middle Emily Maglio.
It will be an adjustment for Burns and her family, who will be some 4,600 miles away.
"The choices Natasha has made in her life to this point have always been the right ones, so her choice to attend UH was easy," Gerri Burns said of her daughter. "When she started the recruitment process only one short year ago, UH was top of her list. It's a dream come true for her and, as her parents, any dream Natasha decides to pursue we are of course 100 percent going to be behind her.
"I know she will go on to be an exceptional student-athlete for UH and we couldn't be happier for her that she chose UH to be her home away from home."
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Apr 22, 2015 15:40:10 GMT -5
Women's Volleyball Adds Natasha Burns for 2015 Season... "We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to sign 6-5 middle blocker Natasha Burns from Ontario, Canada," said Shoji, who will be entering his 41st season at the helm of the 'Bows. "She will add depth to the middle blocker position and will allow us to be more versatile. She has great potential and we look forward to working with her and developing her as a player." ... Full UH release: hawaiiathletics.com/news/2015/4/21/WVB_0421151954.aspx?path=wvball
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Apr 22, 2015 15:43:02 GMT -5
Cindy Luis' post on her Star-Advertiser blog: Getting to know newest Wahine Burnsby CINDY LUIS on APRIL 21, 2015 ![](http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/nb-199x300.jpg?a26107) ". . . After getting her release she asked her recruiting coordinator to contact UH, which had been her top choice. She had spoken with Scott Wong when she was a junior but UH did not have an open scholarship. When her coordinator contacted UH, they did have a scholarship because of Megan Huff moving over to basketball. The timing was pretty amazing as both her inquiry and the decision Huff happened within days in March. Very similar to Magill’s situation when she was looking to transfer from Arizona and Vorster’s deciding to transfer to Liberty. . . ." Full Post: hawaiiwarriorworld.com/volleyshots/getting-to-know-newest-wahine-burns/
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Post by Wolfgang on Apr 22, 2015 15:52:07 GMT -5
Did Burns actually visit a few weeks ago?
Burns said she wants to major in marine biology. That probably won't happen because the course load and scheduling may conflict with volleyball. This isn't unique to Hawaii. If you want to play a sport in college, you may not be able to major in certain fields due to practical reasons. For example, you may have to take certain prerequisites that are offered only on certain semesters that conflict with volleyball. There may also be labs offered only in certain semesters and which you can't get out of that will make it almost impossible for you to travel with the team. Also, the sheer exhaustion of the academic workload coupled with the volleyball workload (practice, weights, conditioning, team meetings, etc.).
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Post by surfboy on Apr 22, 2015 22:37:54 GMT -5
In my opinion I feel one of the two lineuos will be best this upcoming season...
OH: Mitchem (Greeley/Olevau) MB: Magill, Maglio OPP: Taylor
or
OH: Taylor, (Olevau/Greeley) MB: Magill, Maglio Opp: Mitchem
I just want to see Maglio in the middle because I think she has the most upside to where she can be by the tine she graduates. I myself would love to see Greeley and Olevau fight for that OH spot as of now I know Im in the minority here but Olevau has the edge but needs to get some consistency...her firepower and aggressiveness is needed. One thing I know is when Olevau is on she is unstoppablebut when she is off she could hurt us...thats where Greeley comes in. As for Mitchem my wish is to have her at OH or OPP she is still unproven at this level but I feel there wont be much drop off from the transition to D1 like others (ie Passi).
Higgins is the BIGGEST question mark for the team, I hope she gets it right this season because she hasnt proved to expectations coming out of high school.
I would live for Taylor to stay at OPP but sonething tells me she will be a better bet at OH1. I remember her as a freshman being more effective ln the left and launching bombs from the middle back court.
Granato- Glad she chose Hawaii, she will be in the mix but her 1st yr will be tough to break into the lineup. She will get her chance though to contribute. She will bring back that Aneli spark during her career at UH.
Castillo- Im surprised that out of all the recruits coming in she have not been creating some buzz herself. I dont see her contributing much her first yr here but by the time she graduates she will be an unstoppable force. She could be a Tabi Love type of player her Junior year.
Burns- im excited fthat she is joining UH in the fall, this girl is a blocking monster and could re establish that Brittany Hewitt type presence at the net. She will only improve on her hitting under Shoji and do agree with another poster on here that she will be a force later on down the road ala a Lauren Williams.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2015 1:08:47 GMT -5
Its freakin hilarious to read all of these Wahine fans talk about players they have never seen play...
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Post by dasource808 on Apr 23, 2015 1:21:03 GMT -5
Its freakin hilarious to read all of these Wahine fans talk about players they have never seen play... it's freakin hilarious to claim you "met" this 6'3" transfer from UCI before she ever set foot in Hawaii
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