Hawaii 2015

[Barefoot In Kailua]

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY BRYANT FUKUTOMI AND JAMM AQUINO

Rainbow Wahine defensive specialists/liberos, from left, Clare-Marie Anderson, Gianna Guinasso, Katiana Ponce and Savanah Kahakai.

Libero/Defensive specialists
Hawaii's defense and passing game will go through sophomore Savanah Kahakai, who will replace the graduated Sarah Mendoza at libero.

Kahakai appears to be completely healed from last season's sprained right knee that sidelined her for eight matches; she will anchor the Rainbow Wahine's three-person passing formation that includes senior hitter Tai Manu-Olevao and sophomore hitter Kalei Greeley.

Kahakai was used primarily as a defensive specialist and had 161 digs in 79 sets with 13 aces. Her highlight likely was against San Diego State, where the 5-foot-7 former All-State hitter out of Farrington played front row during Set 4 and had a solo stuff of the Aztecs' 6-foot Baylee Little.

The question that likely will not be answered until Friday's opener is who will be the first off the bench to serve at defensive specialist. Coming out of camp, head coach Dave Shoji said that his three DSs -- junior Katiana "Ana" Ponce and sophomores Gianna Guinasso and Clare-Marie Anderson -- were under equal consideration.

"I can't separate them, they all have really good qualities about them," he said. "I'm looking for the best server and someone who can make a play."

Ponce is the smallest on the roster at 5-3, but the All-Stater from Moanalua makes up for it in her quickness. This is her fourth season in the program, as she redshirted in 2012 and played in 23 matches last year.

The 5-9 Guinasso has solid all-around skills that she used successfully over the summer when winning several beach tournaments in her native California. She is moving better after being slowed last season by a knee problem, limiting her play in 12 matches.

The 5-7 Anderson played in 22 matches, and the all-league pick out of Punahou also is skilled both indoors and on the beach, the latter where she redshirted for the SandBows in the spring.

KEY
Hawaii has long been known for its defense. All four returnees have skills and high volleyball IQs that should continue that tradition this season. The passing also is expected to be better, which will allow Hawaii to better utilize the considerable talent in its multi-prong offense.

[Barefoot In Kailua]

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY BRYANT FUKUTOMI AND JAMM AQUINO

Rainbow Wahine middle blockers, from left, Emily Maglio, Annie Mitchem, Natasha Burns and Olivia Magill.


Middle blockers
Hawaii normally likes to have three middle hitters on its active roster. An unfortunate injury last week to freshman Natasha Burns (broken right hand) means the Rainbow Wahine will have exactly that number with senior Olivia Magill, sophomore Emily Maglio and junior Annie Mitchem, the latter only being cleared to practice on Aug. 18.

This appears to be the strongest group at this position that UH has had in many years, maybe ever. That should translate into a very dynamic attack, which will force opponents to "respect the middle" by not stacking the block on the Rainbow Wahine outside hitters and should allow for frequent one-on-one looks at the pins.

Magill, at 6-foot-1, is the smallest of the trio but is the best jumper (touches around 10-6) and has impressive hang time. The transfer from Arizona earned AVCA honorable mention All-America honors in her first season as a Wahine. She tied departed senior Kalei Adolpho for the team lead in blocks (137) and was second in kills (273) while hitting .405.

The 6-3 Maglio is among the most improved on the roster, her all-around game helped considerably by playing on the UH sand team last spring as a freshman.

She played behind Adolpho last season but showed glimpses of her athleticism and a mental toughness honed while playing ice hockey on boys teams while growing up in Canada.

Mitchem is somewhat behind in terms of conditioning and familiarity with the Hawaii system, having only had six practices and Saturday's scrimmage. But there is no denying the athleticism of the 6-3 two-time AVCA national two-year-college player of the year who helped Irvine Valley to two state indoor titles and one in beach.

Mitchem's versatility and all-around skills could mean she gets on the court as an outside hitter.

While playing at IVC for former Hawaii All-American Tom Pestolesi, she played all six rotations and, as Pestolesi said, "kept a pretty good libero off the court" with her ability to pass and serve.

As for Burns, her injury will be re-evaluated in two weeks. The original prognosis was the Canadian would be out for six to eight weeks, which could mean a redshirt season.

KEY
Hawaii has height and athleticism, which bodes very well for the Wahine's playoff hopes should they come up against taller teams. During the European training trip, international coaches were impressed with Magill and Maglio, saying if the two could get their connection down with the setters, that they would be unstoppable. The UH coaches have been working with both setters on making higher sets --- particularly to Magill -- and working with the middles on their timing of approach and arm swing.

[skeleton]

They all got their game faces on like they're Ready to Rumble.

[Barefoot In Kailua]

2015 Wahine volleyball: Setting up for success

By Cindy Luis



PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY BRYANT FUKUTOMI AND JAMM AQUINO


There are no questions about the depth of talent on this season's Hawaii volleyball roster. Nor are there questions about the options presented to head coach Dave Shoji given the athleticism and versatility of a number of his Rainbow Wahine players.

The problem will be trying to answer the multiple-choice question where the correct response is "All of the above."

"We have options," Shoji said as he prepared for his 41st season in Manoa. "We don't have all the answers."

Answers to such queries as: Who plays, who plays where and who plays when or even for how long. After 13 days of practice and Saturday's scrimmage, the only apparent givens are that the Hawaii coaching staff has a puzzle with interchangeable pieces, some that might fit better together as a playing unit, others that better fit the opponent.

There is no question, however, about the enthusiasm both the players and coaches have regarding the 2015 edition of the Rainbow Wahine, ranked 18th in the preseason poll. It even has Shoji, who has pretty much seen it all, rejuvenated.

"I am very excited about the season and especially this week," Shoji said, "It's opening weekend. There's always a bit of butterflies, but it's exciting.

"We have a good feeling about our team, but you never know until you play someone. Yes, we possibly have the tallest team we've ever had and fit. Just hope that translates into good volleyball."

Expectations are high with 12 returnees, including five starters, and a highly touted group of newcomers. The veterans are being pushed hard, but still, it will be hard for either of the two freshmen -- hitters McKenna Granato and Casey Castillo -- to crack the starting lineup, at least early in the season.

The same can be said for Annie Mitchem, the two-time AVCA two-year-college national player of the year. Mitchem missed the first seven days of camp, and while she's been cleared to practice, she hasn't been cleared to play, something that might not happen until Friday prior to Hawaii's opening match.

Mitchem's versatility might have led to thoughts of her moving to another position, but the injury to freshman middle Natasha Burns squashed that for now, leaving Mitchem as the third middle behind senior Olivia Magill and sophomore Emily Maglio.

"People will notice the improvement in both of them," Shoji said of his two returnees. "Magill has increased her jump from 10-6 to maybe 10-7. It's a small increase, but it's still an increase by a senior and you have to give her a lot of credit for working hard to make that happen.

"Maglio, too, also is very improved."

Shoji had the same assessment of all the returnees, from senior hitter Tai Manu-Olevao -- "Just dynamic" -- to junior setter Tayler Higgins -- "Better delivery, much more accomplished"-- to junior hitter Nikki Taylor --"Dramatic difference now that she's 100 percent healthy."

Manu-Olevao and Higgins were chosen as co-captains by the team.

Taylor, coming off last season's injured right elbow, is looking like the player that last year's offense was meant to be built around. She has been pounding the D-set -- a back-row set to the right side -- with authority while also being very effective from the left.

The odd person out is sophomore Megan Huff, Taylor's backup on the right for now. Huff missed much of spring volleyball while playing center on the Wahine basketball squad, earning Big West all-freshman team honors as well as the conference's Sixth Player of the Year award.

"She became a different player over the summer, is probably the most improved," Shoji said. "Everyone will see the difference.

"Unfortunately we don't have a spot for her right now, playing behind Nikki. But she's going to help us at some point."

There was an increased sense of urgency in the arena during practices this week. Coaches and players alike can't wait for opening night and all the firsts that come with it.

"This could be a great year," Shoji said. "But we're taking it game by game, play by play."

That's very much what could be said about how much longer the 68-year-old remains as Hawaii's coach.

"It's going to happen at some point, and it might be sooner than later." said Shoji, whose contract recently was extended through the 2017 season. "But I am still enjoying it."

And there's no question about that.

[Barefoot In Kailua]

2015 Wahine volleyball: Scheduling
By Cindy Luis

Scheduling nonconference opponents can be a little like "Goldilocks and The Three Bears."

Coaches weigh hard vs. soft in trying to get it "just right."

The difficulty is in trying to predict, a year or two in advance, just how good another team will be prior to putting them on the schedule. And with the increased importance placed on the Ratings Percentage Index for top-16 seeding and hosting duties in the NCAA tournament, it becomes even trickier.

Play the best team in a bad conference and one's RPI will take a hit. Lose that match and it's a disastrous free-fall.

Beat a middle-of-the-pack team in a highly ranked conference and good things can happen. Lose "as expected" and the damage is palatable.

Hawaii can control which teams are on its preseason schedule while being stuck with what appears to be somewhat mediocre Big West. However, it has no control how those teams -- Big West or not -- do when not playing the Rainbow Wahine.

This year's preseason tournament slate may not be as sexy to fans as some in the past, with only two "name" teams -- No. 4 Florida and No. 20 UCLA -- ranked in the AVCA preseason Top 25. Still, both American and Wichita State are receiving votes in the poll and are picked to win their conferences, the Eagles in the Patriot and the Shockers the Missouri Valley.

Plus the Rainbow Wahine's RPI will get a boost just by playing teams in the power conferences, regardless of how those opponents fare the rest of the season. Besides UCLA, Hawaii plays Oregon State of the Pac-12 and Iowa of the Big Ten; the Bruins were picked to finish eighth and the Beavers ninth in the Pac-12, while the Hawkeyes were 11th in the numerically challenged 14-team Big Ten.

Where Hawaii's RPI will take a hit is when playing two Big Sky teams in Idaho (picked to finish fifth in the conference) and Eastern Washington (eighth), and when hosting the WAC's Cal State Bakersfield (fourth) twice and San Diego State (sixth) of the Mountain West.

"The schedule is what it is and, to me, it's very challenging," Rainbow Wahine coach Dave Shoji said in beginning his 41st season in Manoa. "Florida is top five and UCLA always has the potential to be a national contender. Iowa will have Big Ten talent.

"All we can control is how we play."

Hawaii will be tested in all three of its tournaments, beginning with this week's Chevron Invitational. After opening with Idaho on Friday, the Wahine face Wichita State with all seven of its starters back, including three who played in the 3-0 loss to Hawaii in the 2013 Shocker Classic.

No. 18 Hawaii -- its lowest preseason ranking since the poll began in 1982 -- did not beat a ranked team last year until knocking off No. 25 Duke in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Rainbow Wahine finished 1-6 against ranked opponents, including two five-set losses to Long Beach State during the 49ers' undefeated run in the Big West.

This year, Hawaii and its 12 returnees were a near-unanimous choice to win a ninth Big West conference crown. That was hardly a surprise considering the Rainbow Wahine have five starters back and one of the best incoming classes in the country in two-time AVCA two-year-college national player of the year Annie Mitchem and highly touted freshmen Casey Castillo, McKenna Granato and Natasha Burns (possible redshirt after breaking her hand last week).

Defending champion Long Beach State, with one vote, was picked second but have big pukas to fill with the losses of honorable mention All-Americans Bre Mackie and Chisom Okpala, and libero Tyler Jackson.

To avoid conflicts with UH football, the schedule was reworked and the Wahine's final home match is Nov. 1.

[Barefoot In Kailua]

Taylor focuses on team, duties

By Cindy Luis


KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / [e-mail]


There are changes this season for Nikki Taylor that go beyond the visible, beyond the new uniform number -- 14 -- and beyond swinging freely without pain, now that her sprained right elbow -- injured 14 months ago -- is 100 percent.

The differences are subtle, internal and personal for the Hawaii junior outside hitter. Unlike last season when she was on the bench on opening night -- and the six subsequent matches -- the 6-foot-3 Kaiser High product is scheduled to start for the 18th-ranked Rainbow Wahine against Idaho.

"It goes beyond, obviously, that I can play," the two-time All-Big West first-teamer said. "Last year, I had to sit out pretty much the whole preseason, didn't practice once during double-days, and spent most of the time in doctors' offices and training rooms. I didn't even get to watch practices and my priorities were skewed because I had to focus on myself.

"This year ... my priorities are about being the teammate I couldn't be last year. It wasn't done purposely but because of the circumstances. Not that it made me selfish but it was hard focusing on my team because I was focused on getting healthy."

Even at maybe 90 percent, Taylor still averaged 2.99 kills per set, second best on the team, while hitting out of the back row early on to avoid re-injuring the arm when needing to block. And now?

She is the player Wahine coach Dave Shoji expected her to be last year when planning the offense around her as a right-side hitter. Taylor was very impressive in Saturday's scrimmage, pounding D-sets to the right when some 5 feet off the net.

"It is what we wanted last year," Shoji said prior to opening his 41st season Friday. "What she is able to do (on the D-set) is very rare in the women's game and you don't see a lot of players around the country able to do it."

The difference in her indoor game from last year to this can be compared to the difference between her game indoors and on the beach. Taylor often didn't tape her elbow during sand competition because "sand is obviously more 'shot-ty' and more finesse than the power indoor," said the two-time AVCA sand All-American.

"What sand has helped me do is see the court better. Before, I could see was the block (indoors) and now I'm seeing the block and where the diggers are."

That improved vision was amusingly evident during Saturday's scrimmage where she finished with a team-high 12 kills. There was one attack where she "saw the court" and was basically able to purposely pinpoint her shot directly at Megan Huff.

"She's definitely developed into a more mature player," Wahine junior setter Tayler Higgins said. "We've really been working on that D-set since we struggled a little against Texas (in the spring exhibition) and hopefully that will be a good part of our offense."

Hawaii's system has the right-side hitter hit twice from the right and once from the left, where the reverse happens for the left sides when hitting twice left and once right. Taylor has been pretty effective on the left as well which adds to the Wahine lineup options should someone begin struggling. Hawaii's multi-pronged attack will be very diverse and definitely anything but one-dimensional.

Taylor said she doesn't care which side she hits. She just wants to hit.

"I want to play where I can contribute to the team and I'm equally comfortable at either pin (outside position)," she said. "We're ready to go. After two-plus weeks. we are itching and starving to play games. to put all that hard work during those two gruesome weeks of two-a-days behind us. We are starving and itching to put it out there.

"I like our team. We are strong, both mentally and physically. Heck yes, it should be a good season."

Taylor has changed her uniform from No. 8 to No. 14, the same her older brother Josh wore during his All-American career at Pepperdine and all-state career at Punahou. Josh Taylor said the number was given to him by Buffanblu coach Rick Tune, somewhat in anticipation that Taylor would have a similar career to the former No. 14, all-stater Spencer McLachlin.

"I wanted it as a freshman but Sarah (libero Mendoza) had it so the minute she graduated, I called Robyn (assistant Ah Mow-Santos) and asked if I could have it," Taylor said.

It's a subtle change, one that is visible on the outside but very much symbolizes the change Taylor expects in herself this season.

[5100]

Thanks for posting these articles, BiK!

It's nice to know that Taylor is equally comfortable hitting from either pin, which could come in handy if the need arises for her to attack mostly from the left.

At some point this season, I think Mitchem is going to start. Either on the outside (likely on the right with Taylor moving to the left) or in the middle (replacing Maglio).

With all that added height, I hope Higgins improves her sets to the middles.

As for the back row players behind Kahakai, I think Ponce is the best server, Guinasso perhaps the best all-around and a good back up at libero. Anderson also solid on defense.

[WahineFan44]

Hawaii, besides Nebraska, is the only volleyball team in the nation to get this kind of press. I mean 4 plus articles, in one day? Plus articles throughout the off season?

We are blessed to be able to experience this kind of volleyball and volleyball culture.

GO wahine!

[808valleyguy]

I'm loving these photos ?

[Wolfgang]

I would not want to come face to face with any of them in a dark alley.

[karrietfan]

Here's one for you Na Wahine fans, a sort of inside the team and non-volleyball thing that I came up with after speaking to some of the ladies. The most quiet Emily, the most articulate Nikki, the easiest to converse with Megan and lastly the funniest Olivia.

[Wolfgang]

Aug 28, 2015 18:47:02 GMT -5 karrietfan said:

Here's one for you Na Wahine fans, a sort of inside the team and non-volleyball thing that I came up with after speaking to some of the ladies. The most quiet Emily, the most articulate Nikki, the easiest to converse with Megan and lastly the funniest Olivia.

My assumptions:

I always hear Nikki Taylor uttering "...like...blah blah blah...like..." a lot so I never thought she would be Most Articulate. I always assumed Olivia was the smartest and Kendra was the funniest. For some reason, I get the impression Katiana Ponce is a motor-mouth. And Gianna is neck-and-neck with Emily for Quietest.

[Courtside5]

Awesome photos! Olivia looks ready to kick some okole. Beautiful but deadly!
It's time to put it in action tonight!

Let's GO BOWS!

[hapaguy]

Aug 28, 2015 18:47:02 GMT -5 karrietfan said:

Here's one for you Na Wahine fans, a sort of inside the team and non-volleyball thing that I came up with after speaking to some of the ladies. The most quiet Emily, the most articulate Nikki, the easiest to converse with Megan and lastly the funniest Olivia.

That's very interesting. I was watching a special yesterday about the 1992 USA "Dream Team" and one of the things that was interesting was that Larry Bird and Patrick Ewing became fast friends. Two guys that had such completely different backgrounds became inseparable. Who on this UH team would you say is like that? Higgins & Koelsch?

[Wolfgang]

Is OCSports available to everyone? I thought in past years only subscribers had access.