Predictions from top to bottom:
Head Coach:
Dave Shoji -- Return or retire?
70% he'll return.
If he retires, oh boy will there be a scramble for this job! I want someone from the mainland to lead this program. We don't need a Hawaii connection. We just need victories and championships.
Associate Head Coach:
Scott Wong -- Return or new job?
60% Pepperdine, 40% return with Hawaii
Assistant:
Robyn Ah Mow -- Return or new job?
95% return, 5% new job
I'm not sure Ah Mow will ever get the Hawaii head coach job. Perhaps she should test the head coaching waters with another (smaller) program to prove herself, if she's willing to leave the islands for a few years. (I used to say that if I ever left the islands, I'll return someday. Never happened. Once I left, it was harder to return.)
Setter:
Tayler Higgins vs. Kendra Koelsch vs.
Shoji will look for a transfer setter. Koelsch and Higgins will battle it out for #2. If he's patient, he could further work with Koelsch and Higgins while waiting for Norene Iosea (sp?) to come aboard. But at his age, is he patient? For me, the older I get, the more I feel the need to rush to get some things accomplished sooner than later.
Middle:
Olivia Magill
Emily Maglio
(Annie Mitchem)
(Casey Castillo)
Magill will start. I really really want to see Maglio in action. Castillo will redshirt. Mitchem to outside. If Mitchem plays middle, I'll feel bad for Maglio because I really want to see her play.
Outside/Opposite:
Nikki Taylor
Kalei Greeley
Tai Manu-Olevao
Megan Huff
Kendra Koelsch
(Annie Mitchem)
(McKenna Granato)
Manu-Olevao will start at the beginning of the season, but will lose her job to Mitchem, Huff, or Granato. Greeley will start because she's too valuable for her all-around play. Granato may get the nod initially but Huff may come on strong. Eventually, Mitchem will outdistance herself from the pack. Of course, I have no idea what I'm talking about because I have never seen Granato or Mitchem play. Taylor at OPP. Koelsch is a wildcard. Greeley has to hit the weight room and build some power. I really want to see Huff and Koelsch in action. Huff showed potential in limited playing time. Koelsch...man alive I still remember that hit she made on the second ball against CSUN. I also think Koelsch will be great for team chemistry and morale and the team will play better because of her. A lot of good players and not enough positions. I'd make a lousy head coach because I won't be able to decide. Also, I'm bad with drills.
Libero:
Savannah Kahakai
I penciled her name here only because everyone seems to think Shoji is grooming her for this slot. God, I'm going to miss Mendoza almost as much as I missed Ali Longo.
Defensive Specialists:
Gianna Guinasso
Katiana Ponce
Clare Marie Anderson
Some unnamed walk-ons
Shoji played all three in almost equal doses. I've seen Ponce and Anderson the most but I really like Guinasso. All showed potential but I haven't seen enough to say who'll play lead and who'll understudy. I have no idea who the walk-ons may be, but I bet Shoji does. Perhaps Wong will take them with him to Pepperdine.
Note: All of this is wishful thinking. I have no inside information.
