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Post by babybacksets on Aug 16, 2021 17:25:57 GMT -5
Malasadas, Portuguese sausage? Time to grind! Tita Akiu, who could forget her? We’ve had so many great Liberos Longo, Ka’aihue, Watanabe but IMO, she was the best. Looking back, which of the best starting liberos were pure liberos during their prep years or converted outside hitters? |
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Post by eyelander on Aug 16, 2021 20:08:17 GMT -5
Malasadas, Portuguese sausage? Time to grind! Tita Akiu, who could forget her? We’ve had so many great Liberos Longo, Ka’aihue, Watanabe but IMO, she was the best. Even though I believe libero didn’t exist yet when she was playing, my top choice for libero or defensive specialist would be Nalani Yama$hita. |
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Post by pineappleexpress on Aug 16, 2021 20:36:02 GMT -5
Has anyone checked out the latest pictures of the girls on Instagram. We have some fit girls making a statement.
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Post by kaipono on Aug 16, 2021 23:01:52 GMT -5
The mantra for this Wahine season? Grateful to be playing
By Cindy LuisIf anyone is counting, it will have been 623 days from the time Hawai’i last competed in a collegiate match and the Rainbow Wahine’s season opener on Aug. 27. But that is not what counts for Hawai’i, which sat out the 2021 NCAA spring season due to a decision by the Big West not to have its pandemic-cancelled fall sports of 2020 be allowed to compete in spring. What counts to the Wahine is the here and now. And the players who are here now are sooooo looking forward to being back in the Stan Sheriff Center for their match against Fairfield. The 7 p.m. contest is the second of the Hawaiian Airlines Classic doubleheader that has Marquette and Texas A&M in the 4:45 p.m. opener. Is there a theme? A slogan? Not along the lines of the Warriors, who rode “Unfinished Business” to the NCAA men’s title last spring. Unlike the Warriors, whose 2020 spring season was cancelled after 16 matches, the Wahine never had any fall or spring business to finish. But there are two commonalities between the two programs. The road to the final four is literally almost the same with the last week of the season being played in Columbus, Ohio. However, the women’s event will be held a larger Nationwide Arena (20,000) and not the Covelli Center (3.700) on the Ohio State campus some three miles away. The Wahine also want to replicate the men’s success of last May, bringing home their first title since 1987. “We’re looking forward to going to Ohio,” sophomore middle-turned-outside hitter Tiffany Westerberg said. “We’re going to get there. I’m looking forward to being in that setting. “What’s the hunger level? It fells like it’s really different. We were one of the few not to play. It put a chip on our should.er. It’s made us hungry, not just for the season but to get to Ohio.” The Wahine’s last road trip was three states and 540 miles away in Madison, Wis. The 6-foot-3 Westerberg played briefly in one set of the 29-27, 25-22, 25-19 loss to No. 6 Nebraska in the Round of 16. with No. 18 Hawai’i ending the year at 26-4. Westerberg has been converted to a pin hitter, the transition from middle beginning toward the end of 2019. She’s one of eight returnees and one of nine vying for two coveted starting spots. Senior Kyra Hanawahine is another looking to cement a starting role. The 5-2 Kamehameha graduate played in 28 matches and 68 in 2019, used frequently as a serving specialist while the Wahine sometimes went without a libero on the court. “Watching the men definitely was inspiring,” said Hanawahine, who transferred back home after two seasons at Oregon. “Just seeing how much work they put in, on and off the court, was inspiring. “This is my last year and I’m taking advantage of the moment, want to enjoy the next 4-5 months I want us to win the Big West again and make our way to Ohio.” The Wahine opened their second week of two-a-days Monday morning. They have a lot of options on the 17-player roster, with two setters and three “littles” at libero/defensive specialist: Hanawahine, 5-9 redshirt junior Janelle Gong and 5-5 freshman Tayli Ikenaga (Moanalua). They also have several catch phrases. “Team First.” “We Above Me.” But perhaps the most meaningful? “Be Grateful Every Day.” Or, as senior hitter Brooke Van Sickle said after the first practice last Monday. “OMG. It’s volleyball!. It’s a blessing.”
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Post by HawaiiVB on Aug 17, 2021 2:07:00 GMT -5
Longo was a pure Libero. She ran the back row. Dave gave her free range to roam and cover as much court as she wanted. She anticipated well, had quick feet, a solid platform, and passed nails.
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Post by kaipono on Aug 17, 2021 3:49:19 GMT -5
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Post by medusa on Aug 17, 2021 10:40:15 GMT -5
Are all players in Hawaii as now? Did the player get her visa or passport to come to Hawaii yet?
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vballfreak808
Hawaiian Ohana 
2020 All-VolleyTalk 1st Team, All-VolleyTalk 2nd Team (2023, 2022, 2017, 2016), All-VolleyTalk HM (2021, 2019, 2018), 2017 Fantasy League 1st Runner-up, 2016 Fantasy League Champion
#GoBows
Posts: 13,403
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Post by vballfreak808 on Aug 17, 2021 10:50:09 GMT -5
Are all players in Hawaii as now? Did the player get her visa or passport to come to Hawaii yet? Yes Demirtas is there and practicing |
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Post by practicesafesets on Aug 17, 2021 11:31:34 GMT -5
Are all players in Hawaii as now? Did the player get her visa or passport to come to Hawaii yet? Yes Demirtas is there and practicing Wonder if they'll interview the newcomers before the season starts |
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Post by goblin on Aug 17, 2021 13:31:48 GMT -5
Happy they were able to land Castello, damn he looks like a hobbit next to the players. Can’t wait for the season to begin.
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Aug 17, 2021 13:38:05 GMT -5
University of Hawaii women’s volleyball team focuses on preparation rather than poll
By Jason Kaneshiro
Hawaii will make its return to competition just outside the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s Women’s Top 25 ranking.
Not that the Rainbow Wahine devoted much, if any, attention to their place in Monday’s preseason poll.
The Wahine were immersed in their morning practice to begin the second week of two-a-days when the poll was released Monday morning. Hawaii appeared in the “others receiving votes” category in the poll and placed 29th with 47 points.
“I don’t think our team is too focused on any of that right now,” said senior middle blocker Skyler Williams, who hadn’t heard the poll came out before Monday’s afternoon session. “I think we’re focused on our own game and where we want to be.”
When the Wahine last took the court, the Big West champions finished off a 26-4 2019 season with an appearance in the NCAA Tournament’s round of 16. They sat out the 2020-21 season when the Big West canceled fall sports and return eight 2019 letterwinners heading into their comeback season, which opens Aug. 27 against Fairfield at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
“We didn’t play last year so they don’t really know what we have to offer yet, which can work to our advantage,” sophomore outside hitter Riley Wagoner said.
While the Wahine opened their second week of practice on Monday, the workouts were their first with the full roster following the arrival of freshman Ilayda Demirtas, a 6-foot-5 opposite/outside hitter from Turkey.
Texas, which returns Maryknoll graduate Jhenna Gabriel at setter, enters the season at No. 1 after reaching the NCAA Tournament final in April. Wisconsin is No. 2, followed by defending national champion Kentucky, Washington and Nebraska.
UH led three Big West schools that received votes. UC San Diego received eight points and Cal Poly had four.
Marquette received 27 points and will be part of the season-opening Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic along with Fairfield and Texas A&M.
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Post by HawaiiVB on Aug 17, 2021 13:46:08 GMT -5
Are all players in Hawaii as now? Did the player get her visa or passport to come to Hawaii yet? Yes Demirtas is there and practicing She looks taller than 6' 5". |
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Post by medusa on Aug 17, 2021 15:20:33 GMT -5
I hope Headcoach will play all on roster the first weekend of competition. This will be a treat to all Uh volley fans to view.
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Post by WahineFan44 on Aug 17, 2021 15:27:08 GMT -5
Any idea when UH will announce attendance rules?
With the recent spiked no way unvaccinated people can go. And I’m even hesitant with vaccinated people. Just seems like a total mess in the state right now.
But I’ll be happy watching on TV.
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Post by HawaiiVB on Aug 17, 2021 15:37:59 GMT -5
Mayor Blangiardi has already requested and received approval from the Governor for the mitigating Covid procedures regarding large events within the C&C of Honolulu. Mask wearing, no groups larger than 10, 50% or less capacity, and proof of vaccination for those attending. However, stricter measures would be implemented if the infection numbers, especially on Oahu, remain high and the hospitals are at capacity for ICU beds. Those restrictions would come from the Governor. So wait and see.
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