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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Oct 6, 2022 4:01:56 GMT -5
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Oct 6, 2022 13:57:53 GMT -5
Wahine middle Kennedi Evans continues her journey back from knee injury By Jason Kaneshiro 10/6/22, Honolulu Star-Advertiser STAR-ADVERTISER Kennedi Evans: The middle continues to work her way backKennedi Evans endured an extended wait before making her Hawaii debut. When Rainbow Wahine volleyball coach Robyn Ah Mow summoned her from the bench late in last Friday’s match at Cal State Fullerton, Evans didn’t wait long at all to make a memorable first impression. Three points into her first UH appearance and with the Wahine comfortable holding match point at 24-13, Evans rotated to the service line and lofted over an offering that the Titans back row sent shooting toward the bleachers. The walk-off ace triggered a swarm of UH players charging onto the court in Titan Gym to celebrate the next step in Evans’ journey back from a knee injury that ended her season at Utah a little less than a year ago. “It was exciting. Just feeling their support was really cool,” Evans said. Evans, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker, continues to work her way back toward the form that earned her a spot in Utah’s staring lineup for the Utes’ first 16 matches last season. After committing to UH in the summer, Evans was limited in her participation during training camp as she continued the rehab process. She was cleared for full practice duty before UH’s bye-week Green-and-White scrimmage on Sept. 16 and played in her first six-on-six action with the Wahine that night. Her addition to the active roster adds depth to a middle rotation anchored by juniors Amber Igiede and Tiffany Westerberg. “(Evans) is working hard doing rehab and in the gym,” Ah Mow said. “When we do sixes, she’s the only middle on the other side playing the entire time. “She’s trying to get back to where she was. Definitely a good player. I told her to be patient, her time will come.” Originally from Twin Falls, Idaho, Evans made an instant impact as a freshman at Utah in 2018. She started 23 matches and finished second on the team, behind Kahuku alum Phoebe Grace, with 1.10 blocks per set. She was in on a total of 100 blocks that season with a high of 15 in a five-set loss to California. Last year, she started Utah’s first 16 matches and had four kills and five blocks in a four-set win over UH in the Utah Classic. She was leading the team with 59 blocks over 53 sets when the knee injury halted her season. Evans graduated from Utah with a degree in business administration and decided to look for a fresh start for the final two years of her volleyball eligibility. Conversations with current UH players and connections with former Utah teammates from the islands contributed to her commitment to UH. Along with Grace, Evans played with ‘Iolani graduates Bailey Choy (who eventually ended her college career at UH in 2019), Naya Dong and Saige Ka’aha’aina-Torres during her career in Salt Lake City. “It’s pretty nice to have almost like a family (in Hawaii) already,” Evans said. “A lot of old teammates’ parents reached out to me when I got here and were very welcoming. So it felt nice to have a support system already here.” Dong also transferred from Utah and will be on the other side of the net on Saturday when the Rainbow Wahine (7-5, 4-0 Big West) face UC San Diego to close out this week’s conference homestand at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. UH opens the series on Friday against UC Irvine (10-5. 3-2). While Evans had to wait 11 matches into the season for her opportunity to contribute on the court, she made sure to make the most of her time on the sideline. “I tried to use that as an opportunity to learn, just seeing how the team works,” Evans said. “The systems were all new, so having that opportunity was helpful. Just being able to see volleyball from a different perspective is helpful for anyone.” Big West women’s volleyballAt SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center UC Irvine (10-5, 3-2 BWC) vs. Hawaii (7-5, 4-0)>> When: Friday, 7 p.m. >> TV: Spectrum Sports >> Radio:1420-AM / 92.7-FM UC San Diego (8-9, 1-4) vs. Hawaii>> When: Saturday, 7 p.m. >> TV: Spectrum Sports >> Radio: 1500-AM
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Oct 6, 2022 17:20:54 GMT -5
Rainbow Wahine Return to Host UC Irvine, UC San Diego Women's Volleyball 10.03.2022 Excerpt: HONOLULU--The University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team (7-5, 4-0 Big West) returns home to host a pair of conference matches against UC Irvine on Friday, Oct. 7 and UC San Diego on Saturday, Oct. 8th. Both matches are slated to start at 7:00 p.m. HT at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Last week, the Rainbow Wahine posted a pair of conference road victories to remain one of two undefeated Big West teams. Hawai'i went over the .500 mark for the first time this season with its sweep at Cal State Fullerton on Friday. Full UH release: hawaiiathletics.com/news/2022/10/3/rainbow-wahine-return-to-host-uc-irvine-uc-san-diego.aspx
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Oct 7, 2022 2:12:33 GMT -5
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Oct 7, 2022 13:55:10 GMT -5
Kendra Ham makes the most of an opportunity to expand her role with the Rainbow WahineBy Jason Kaneshiro 10/7/22, Honolulu Star-Advertiser JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM Hawaii outside hitter Kendra Ham played for national power Torrey Pines in high school.
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM Hawaii’s Kendra Ham started the season as a defensive specialist.Volleyball is a game of adjustments. Seeking a spark following a third-set drubbing, Hawaii coach Robyn Ah Mow tweaked the lineup to start Kendra Ham in the front row going into the fourth set of last Saturday’s match at Long Beach State. A defensive and serving specialist most of this season, Ham converted her opportunity to play at the net into four kills while providing a blocking presence to help the Rainbow Wahine close out the road win. Ham’s opportunity to contribute this season came about after adjusting her path through collegiate volleyball two years ago. Out of the game following her freshman year at Cal Poly, Ham looked west to restart her volleyball and academic careers. After playing in just two sets in her first year in Hawaii, she’s carved out a role as a regular in the back row, with appearances in 41 of UH’s 44 sets this season entering tonight’s Big West meeting with UC Irvine at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. “I can’t even describe it, especially playing in a place like this,” Ham said of the opportunity she received in Hawaii. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity that I’m so grateful to have again, and I can thank the coaching staff for that.” Ham enrolled at Cal Poly after helping Torrey Pines High in San Diego to a 33-4 mark in her prep career. She played in 22 matches as a serving specialist and posted 14 aces, including one in a win over Hawaii, in 2019. But amid the pandemic shutdown of 2020, Ham decided to leave the Mustangs prior to her sophomore year. “I absolutely loved Cal Poly, all of the girls on the team were really cool. But it just wasn’t a good fit for me,” Ham said. “I just wasn’t in a good mental space to keep competing at the level I needed to contribute on the court, and in my academics and everything, and I needed to take a step back for myself.” She re-connected with the game by helping a team in practices and realized, “I miss this so much.” Her brother had spent time with the UH men’s program as a walk-on and “he always raved about it and the family atmosphere of it.” So when she entered her name into the transfer portal, she contacted a friend at Indiana who knew of a teammate who had played with UH setter Kate Lang. “I think the first time I texted her she was like, ‘umm, who is this?” Ham said with a laugh. After their introductions, Lang sold Ham on the relationships within the team and the coaching staff and Ham had those talking points confirmed when she joined the Rainbow Wahine in the summer of 2021. Along the way, the process of initially returning to the gym, then finding a new team helped Ham find “that volleyball is definitely a safe space.” “Your team is your family, and I love all the girls on the team here,” she said. “I would call anytime I ever need anything and they’re my best friends.” On the court, Ham has provided a steady presence in the UH back row and from the service line, where she helped spark UH’s reverse sweep against USC on Sept. 10 with extended service turns in the third and fifth sets. An opposite during her club days, the 6-foot junior was given a chance to play six rotations again in the fourth set last Saturday to help the Wahine counter Beach’s quick attacks on the pins. “We made the decision to leave her in for blocking,” Ah Mow said. “She may not be the tallest person, but she lines up well, she has good timing on the blocking, and she can hit.” Ham was in on two blocks while helping slow the Beach at the net, and put away four kills in seven aggressive swings. “I’m embracing this new role as a DS, but I absolutely love hitting,” said Ham, who also finished with nine digs in the win. “So any chance to hit, I’m going to take what I can get. “Kate was putting up great balls and I was like, I’m going to take a rip, and fingers crossed, see what happens.” Ham’s all-around contributions helped the Wahine complete a sweep of last week’s road trip. UH (7-5, 4-0 Big West) carries a five-match winning streak into tonight’s match with UC Irvine (10-5, 3-2). They’ll cap the homestand against UC San Diego (8-9, 1-4) on Saturday. UC Irvine opened the week by surviving a five-set duel with UCSD 24-26, 25-23, 25-14, 14-25, 15-8 in Irvine, Calif. Big West women’s volleyballAt SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center UC Irvine (10-5, 3-2 BWC) vs. Hawaii (7-5, 4-0)>> When: Today, 7 p.m. >> TV: Spectrum Sports >> Radio:1420-AM / 92.7-FM UC San Diego (8-9, 1-4) vs. Hawaii>> When: Saturday, 7 p.m. >> TV: Spectrum Sports >> Radio: 1500-AM
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Post by practicesafesets on Oct 7, 2022 14:29:03 GMT -5
Kendra Ham makes the most of an opportunity to expand her role with the Rainbow WahineBy Jason Kaneshiro 10/7/22, Honolulu Star-Advertiser JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM Hawaii outside hitter Kendra Ham played for national power Torrey Pines in high school.
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM Hawaii’s Kendra Ham started the season as a defensive specialist.“I can’t even describe it, especially playing in a place like this,” Ham said of the opportunity she received in Hawaii. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity that I’m so grateful to have again, and I can thank the coaching staff for that.” “I absolutely loved Cal Poly, all of the girls on the team were really cool. But it just wasn’t a good fit for me,” Ham said. “I just wasn’t in a good mental space to keep competing at the level I needed to contribute on the court, and in my academics and everything, and I needed to take a step back for myself.” She re-connected with the game by helping a team in practices and realized, “I miss this so much.” Her brother had spent time with the UH men’s program as a walk-on and “he always raved about it and the family atmosphere of it.” So when she entered her name into the transfer portal, she contacted a friend at Indiana who knew of a teammate who had played with UH setter Kate Lang. “I think the first time I texted her she was like, ‘umm, who is this?” Ham said with a laugh. After their introductions, Lang sold Ham on the relationships within the team and the coaching staff and Ham had those talking points confirmed when she joined the Rainbow Wahine in the summer of 2021. Along the way, the process of initially returning to the gym, then finding a new team helped Ham find “that volleyball is definitely a safe space.” “Your team is your family, and I love all the girls on the team here,” she said. “I would call anytime I ever need anything and they’re my best friends.” “We made the decision to leave her in for blocking,” Ah Mow said. “She may not be the tallest person, but she lines up well, she has good timing on the blocking, and she can hit.” Ham’s all-around contributions helped the Wahine complete a sweep of last week’s road trip. UH (7-5, 4-0 Big West) carries a five-match winning streak into tonight’s match with UC Irvine (10-5, 3-2). They’ll cap the homestand against UC San Diego (8-9, 1-4) on Saturday. UC Irvine opened the week by surviving a five-set duel with UCSD 24-26, 25-23, 25-14, 14-25, 15-8 in Irvine, Calif. Ouch, so Cal Poly volleyball wasn't a "safe space?". The relationships weren't great? Let's let Lang recruit for UH, she'll take your man and your players Happy to see Kendra turn into a six rotation force
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Oct 7, 2022 14:50:16 GMT -5
Kendra Ham makes the most of an opportunity to expand her role with the Rainbow WahineBy Jason Kaneshiro 10/7/22, Honolulu Star-Advertiser JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM Hawaii outside hitter Kendra Ham played for national power Torrey Pines in high school.
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM Hawaii’s Kendra Ham started the season as a defensive specialist.“I can’t even describe it, especially playing in a place like this,” Ham said of the opportunity she received in Hawaii. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity that I’m so grateful to have again, and I can thank the coaching staff for that.” “I absolutely loved Cal Poly, all of the girls on the team were really cool. But it just wasn’t a good fit for me,” Ham said. “I just wasn’t in a good mental space to keep competing at the level I needed to contribute on the court, and in my academics and everything, and I needed to take a step back for myself.” She re-connected with the game by helping a team in practices and realized, “I miss this so much.” Her brother had spent time with the UH men’s program as a walk-on and “he always raved about it and the family atmosphere of it.” So when she entered her name into the transfer portal, she contacted a friend at Indiana who knew of a teammate who had played with UH setter Kate Lang. “I think the first time I texted her she was like, ‘umm, who is this?” Ham said with a laugh. After their introductions, Lang sold Ham on the relationships within the team and the coaching staff and Ham had those talking points confirmed when she joined the Rainbow Wahine in the summer of 2021. Along the way, the process of initially returning to the gym, then finding a new team helped Ham find “that volleyball is definitely a safe space.” “Your team is your family, and I love all the girls on the team here,” she said. “I would call anytime I ever need anything and they’re my best friends.” “We made the decision to leave her in for blocking,” Ah Mow said. “She may not be the tallest person, but she lines up well, she has good timing on the blocking, and she can hit.” Ham’s all-around contributions helped the Wahine complete a sweep of last week’s road trip. UH (7-5, 4-0 Big West) carries a five-match winning streak into tonight’s match with UC Irvine (10-5, 3-2). They’ll cap the homestand against UC San Diego (8-9, 1-4) on Saturday. UC Irvine opened the week by surviving a five-set duel with UCSD 24-26, 25-23, 25-14, 14-25, 15-8 in Irvine, Calif. Ouch, so Cal Poly volleyball wasn't a "safe space?". The relationships weren't great? Let's let Lang recruit for UH, she'll take your man and your players Happy to see Kendra turn into a six rotation force let's maybe be careful drawing those pretty strong conclusions. she prefaced her comments by saying that she "absolutely loved" the school and her cal poly teammates. that seems to suggest kendra was going through something more personal ... separate from her being on the team.
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Post by practicesafesets on Oct 7, 2022 14:51:30 GMT -5
no conclusions were made, statements were questioned
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Oct 7, 2022 14:55:07 GMT -5
no conclusions were made, statements were questioned except that the statements you're referring to ... weren't actually statements that she made ...
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Post by practicesafesets on Oct 7, 2022 15:00:55 GMT -5
no conclusions were made, statements were questioned except that the statements you're referring to ... weren't actually statements that she made ... They were statements from the article regarding Ham, perhaps they misheard?
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Oct 7, 2022 15:12:43 GMT -5
except that the statements you're referring to ... weren't actually statements that she made ... They were statements from the article regarding Ham, perhaps they misheard? nowhere in the article does she say cal paly wasn't a safe space, nor does she say the relationships with her teammates weren't great.
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Post by practicesafesets on Oct 7, 2022 15:14:51 GMT -5
Ouch, so Cal Poly volleyball wasn't a "safe space?". The relationships weren't great? Let's let Lang recruit for UH, she'll take your man and your players Happy to see Kendra turn into a six rotation force let's maybe be careful drawing those pretty strong conclusions. she prefaced her comments by saying that she "absolutely loved" the school and her cal poly teammates. that seems to suggest kendra was going through something more personal ... separate from her being on the team.
These two sentences contradict each other
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Post by practicesafesets on Oct 7, 2022 15:17:22 GMT -5
They were statements from the article regarding Ham, perhaps they misheard? nowhere in the article does she say cal paly wasn't a safe space, nor does she say the relationships with her teammates weren't great. of course not, who would say that explicitly in an article. Talking smack about a previous program is frowned upon.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Oct 7, 2022 15:19:25 GMT -5
let's maybe be careful drawing those pretty strong conclusions. she prefaced her comments by saying that she "absolutely loved" the school and her cal poly teammates. that seems to suggest kendra was going through something more personal ... separate from her being on the team.
These two sentences contradict each other it's at least based on statements she actually made in the article ...
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Oct 7, 2022 15:21:07 GMT -5
nowhere in the article does she say cal paly wasn't a safe space, nor does she say the relationships with her teammates weren't great. of course not, who would say that explicitly in an article. Talking smack about a previous program is frowned upon. which is why i suggested being careful about drawing pretty strong conclusions ... your questions attempt to draw lines between things that weren't there ...
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