|
Post by hwnstunner on May 9, 2015 13:09:28 GMT -5
sheeeesh!!! indeed.
Yenno, I could care less about the schedule too, but just don't read what clearly aggravates you. It's clearly a Hawaii thread dude.
|
|
|
Post by BeachbytheBay on May 9, 2015 15:11:31 GMT -5
sheeeesh!!! indeed. Yenno, I could care less about the schedule too, but just don't read what clearly aggravates you. It's clearly a Hawaii thread dude. lol - it amuses me, not aggravates & Hawaii fans complaining about others coming onto a Hawaii thread?!? are you serious?? - Hawaii fans take over ever Big West team thread out there - plus others - lol
|
|
|
Post by hwnstunner on May 9, 2015 16:40:00 GMT -5
sheeeesh!!! indeed. Yenno, I could care less about the schedule too, but just don't read what clearly aggravates you. It's clearly a Hawaii thread dude. lol - it amuses me, not aggravates & Hawaii fans complaining about others coming onto a Hawaii thread?!? are you serious?? - Hawaii fans take over ever Big West team thread out there - plus others - lol Not all of us have issues.
|
|
|
Post by Cubicle No More ... on May 11, 2015 15:26:03 GMT -5
Wahine embark on program's first training trip to EuropeBy Cindy Luis, Honolulu Star-AdvertiserPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, May 11, 2015 MARTHA HERNANDEZ / MHERNANDEZ@STARADVERTISER.COMPallavolo. Volejbal. Volleyball. Odbojka. Whatever the sport is called around the world, there is one thing that needs no translation: Playing the game at the highest level requires hard work and commitment. That will be part of the educational experience for the Hawaii women's volleyball team on its first European training trip in the program's 42-year history. The Rainbow Wahine leave Friday for a 14-day, four-country adventure with matches against Italian, Slovenian, Czech and Tunisian teams packed in between cultural excursions, sightseeing and Alpine cross-training activities. It's something that Hawaii coach Dave Shoji had been thinking about for a number of years and, as he enters his 41st season with the Rainbow Wahine, "it finally worked out," he said. "It has a dual purpose. Obviously this is a cultural experience, getting to take a group of young women on their first trip to Europe. That's the best thing we'll get out of this. And it's a great opportunity to play some really good teams." Ten of the 12 returning Wahine players are making the trip — walk-ons Katiana Ponce and Gianna Guinasso are not — plus two who are foregoing Saturday's graduation ceremony in middle Kalei Adolpho and outside hitter Ginger Long. The tentative schedule has two matches in Milan, Italy; three in Maribor, Slovenia; and two in Prague, Czech Republic. Sandwiched between the competitions are excursions in Milan, Lake Como, Venice, Maribor, Vienna and Prague. While Shoji has never visited any of the places on the itinerary — he's been to Germany often to see his two sons play professionally — assistant coach Robyn Ah Mow-Santos is very familiar with the Italian cities. During her pro career, she played for Metodo Minetti Vicenza, an Italian Serie A1 team based about an hour west of Venice. "I hope that the girls see there's another whole level of volleyball," said Ah Mow-Santos, a two-time All-America setter at Hawaii and three-time Olympian. "Hopefully they see the work ethic that they can use in our gym. "This will be a different kind of gym culture, a lot different from what we have here. They'll see what it's like being on a pro team and hope it opens their eyes." The first stop the team makes after arriving in Milan is the Italian National Training Center, where the Wahine will practice and have lunch while waiting for their hotel rooms to be ready. The INTC is where the two matches against Italian Federation teams will be played. The NCAA allows for teams to take a foreign trip once every four years. In the past, Hawaii has gone to Japan, the last time during spring break in 2001. "I think we'll get much more out of going to Europe, where the teams play more of our style of volleyball," Shoji said. "The Japanese teams are smaller and quick and we don't play (NCAA) teams like that. We'll be seeing bigger teams that are more like those we'll play during the season. "We're really excited for the players and staff. It's a great experience for all of us." The tour is through Bring It Promotions, run by former Utah women's assistant Cory Solomon. Solomon will be the tour guide in Slovenia and the Czech Republic, while former Brigham Young-Hawaii volleyball player Federica Tonon, an Italian national, will be the guide in Italy. The Wahine expect to see at least one former player during their time in Europe. All-conference middle Maja Gustin, who had more than 1,000 kills and ranks in the top 10 in blocks and aces, returned home to Slovenia after graduation and has been playing professionally since. Shoji said that his staff didn't have any input on the tour stops but knew they likely would go to Italy and Slovenia, the latter where Solomon lives. He said that it's not being used as a recruiting trip, but "we know we'll see some good, young players," Shoji said. "You never know if any would want to come that far (to Hawaii) to play. "I think this experience is going to be very important as we want to get better as a team. We've been thinking about this for so long and, now that I'm reaching the end of my career, I was a little more willing to consider it. This is a good year to go." ROAD TRIPCoach Dave Shoji and his team leave Hawaii on Friday and arrive in Milan, Italy, Monday on a 14-day tour of Europe. Here's the schedule.
MAY 17-20 Milan, Italy » Three nights » Two matches » Sightseeing MAY 20-21 Venice, Italy » One night » Sightseeing MAY 21-24 Maribor, Slovenia » Three nights » Two matches » Sightseeing MAY 24 Vienna, Austria » One night » Sightseeing MAY 25-28 Prague, Czech Republic » Three nights » Two matches » Sightseeing MAY 28 Depart to Hawaii.
|
|
|
Post by cindyluis on May 11, 2015 23:09:42 GMT -5
In response to VBF08, this was not the original schedule as sent out by the Big West. But that schedule wasn't kind either with a number of Wahine volleyball matches set for the same weekend as football. The choices are then to play Thursday-Friday or Friday-Sunday. UH decided that for the fans, better for Friday Sunday.
The bigger problem was when men's basketball came in with a late tournament that conflicted with volleyball. Hawaii swapped that weekend that they were supposed to away matches in October with UC Irvine-UC Davis and now the UCI-UCD matches are on the road as part of the six straight away.
This is what I wrote April 28: Shoji said the problem arose with the weekend of Nov. 13-15. Football on Saturday had Wahine playing Friday-Sunday. Then men's basketball decided to have a tournament with a couple of doubleheaders. For whatever reason, preseason basketball took priority over conference volleyball.
Said the best solution in his mind was to swap out the matches, which puts Senior Night on Nov. 1 followed by six matches on the road. They'll come back after the Beach-CSUN matches then have four matches on the road, combining two road trips basically, and play Sunday-Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday.
|
|
|
Post by Barefoot In Kailua on May 12, 2015 0:44:36 GMT -5
Thanks for the clarification, Cindy. Annoyed that the most successful athletic program at UH. gets bumped by the schedule wishes of losing programs like the lose -money Warrior football and basketball programs.
|
|
|
Post by cindyluis on May 12, 2015 15:10:59 GMT -5
The problem with UH is that football is in one conference and most of the other sports are in another. Mountain West set the football and Big West volleyball. Don't think they consult with each other. Also, UH is very unique in several areas. No on-campus stadium. Football played later in the day. At other places, fans could easily go from early afternoon football to evening volleyball by walking and not driving. It was a bit of a mess last year when they did both sports on a Saturday. don't think you'll ever see that happen again.
|
|
|
Post by Wahinevball1234 on May 12, 2015 15:27:15 GMT -5
Now back to a Volleyball note... I was wondering does anyone agree with the point that Nikki Taylor hasn't lived up to high expectations she set her freshman year. IMO Hawaii needs someone more dynamic to play Rightside let alone outside. I mean she played absolutely horrible against Texas a few weeks ago. Also, in the NCAAs she was terrible. Granted so was Manu-Olevao, but Taylor is 6'3" and they still can't rely on her to terminate at key times. When Hartong was there, Uiato always knew she had someone who could terminate, and one of the reasons the Wahine were so bad last year was because there expected big gun, Taylor, did not terminate. I mean I almost wonder if Nikki would somehow lose her spot to Castillo or Granato. Olevao was superb against Texas, and I think her ability to be dynamic is very helpful, so I really disagree with everyone saying it is her who is going to be replaced....Thoughts?
|
|
|
Post by brooselee on May 12, 2015 17:57:47 GMT -5
Nikii just does not have the physical tools to be dominant. I think what Shoji wants from her is to be efficient and steady.
She is not very athletic nor does she run fast or jump high but she is 6-3 and long. If she get 2.5 kpg I think that would suffice since next year our two middles could be potent. Our middles should open up many one on ones for the pin hitters.
|
|
|
Post by Wahinevball1234 on May 12, 2015 18:09:59 GMT -5
Nikii just does not have the physical tools to be dominant. I think what Shoji wants from her is to be efficient and steady. She is not very athletic nor does she run fast or jump high but she is 6-3 and long. If she get 2.5 kpg I think that would suffice since next year our two middles could be potent. Our middles should open up many one on ones for the pin hitters. I mean Castillo is 6'3". Is she more athletic than Nikki? If she is, you can use Castillo in the front row and have defensive specialists to fill the hole in the backrow like Giunasso or Claire Marie Anderson. And I guess you could always use Nikki or Granato in the backrow if a backrow attack is needed that badly, which I don't think it is. Also, what does everyone think of Natasha Burns. I know she would be only a freshman, but she is 6'5" and touches over 10 feet.
|
|
|
Post by superfan1 on May 12, 2015 18:16:14 GMT -5
Nikii just does not have the physical tools to be dominant. I think what Shoji wants from her is to be efficient and steady. She is not very athletic nor does she run fast or jump high but she is 6-3 and long. If she get 2.5 kpg I think that would suffice since next year our two middles could be potent. Our middles should open up many one on ones for the pin hitters. I mean Castillo is 6'3". Is she more athletic than Nikki? If she is, you can use Castillo in the front row and have defensive specialists to fill the hole in the backrow like Giunasso or Claire Marie Anderson. And I guess you could always use Nikki or Granato in the backrow if a backrow attack is needed that badly, which I don't think it is. Also, what does everyone think of Natasha Burns. I know she would be only a freshman, but she is 6'5" and touches over 10 feet. I don't see Shoji using Burns extensively over the next couple years. I could see her coming off the bench for blocking purposes for one or two rotations though.
|
|
|
Post by thebeach1 on May 12, 2015 19:23:01 GMT -5
I don't believe UH is a "runaway favorite" to win the conference title this year. Although they return a lot of key players, many questions remain as to the effectiveness of players such as Taylor and Olevao. Hawaii will more than likely be considered the prohibitive favorite to win the title this fall. However, LBSU, Davis, and UCSB are all contenders, as well.
|
|
|
Post by hwnstunner on May 12, 2015 19:42:23 GMT -5
Geez, did you all forget that Taylor put up solid numbers as a FRESHMAN starter. And was also injured for the first 8 matches of last year and was never fully 100 percent? Yeah she wasn't an All-American, but hard to do that when you're injured.
|
|
|
Post by Wahinevball1234 on May 12, 2015 19:52:49 GMT -5
Geez, did you all forget that Taylor put up solid numbers as a FRESHMAN starter. And was also injured for the first 8 matches of last year and was never fully 100 percent? Yeah she wasn't an All-American, but hard to do that when you're injured. I realize that. But, I really think the numbers she put up as a freshman can be attributed to people working so hard to stop Hartong. Since no one ever really stopped Hartong, only slightly slowed her down, Nikki was able to hit against single blocks or badly formed double blocks. When you play Hawaii now she is really the first one, at least in my opinion, you look to slow down. I just really believe that Hawaii needs her to become a Hartong-like player who can terminate when people are focused on her to really break the Top Ten again. If she is able to do it, I think Hawaii could become National contenders again. But, if she doesn't, Shoji may have to look elsewhere for someone who can.
|
|
|
Post by ACE on May 12, 2015 21:15:50 GMT -5
I am not certain, but I don't think OPP was Taylor's position in high school. In college, she looks a step slow or out of sync of sort when hitting from the right side. Shoji mentioned that Taylor also trained exclusively on the left side during spring, then she got injured and that switched everything else. I think healthy, and I honestly think she should be hitting from the left side, she'll be fine.
|
|