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Post by The Bofa on the Sofa on Sept 18, 2005 10:57:39 GMT -5
At this point in the season, I wouldn't go so far as to say that this team is better than last year's. I do think they are, but that is neither here nor there. The main point is that I think the criticisms that Hawaii is not as good as last year are off base. I just don't think it is fair to this year's team to compare them to last year's team based on their performance in a non-conference schedule that is clearly of a much higher quality. |
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Sept 18, 2005 11:23:14 GMT -5
I just don't think it is fair to this year's team to compare them to last year's team based on their performance in a non-conference schedule that is clearly of a much higher quality. Yes, good point. One that I hope Wahine fans will keep in mind. Last year's team was tough. They played and fought together. This year with Hittle's injury, Hawai'i has had to find itself. I do think this team will end up being better than last year's team. They show flashes of brilliance, they just need to be consistent. I expect them to find that consistency soon. |
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Post by rayb_14 on Sept 18, 2005 11:30:40 GMT -5
Prince cant do it all by herself and from the looks of it, she aint getting help from no one.
where's KK during all this? it doesn't sound like she's playing poorly - just that she's doing LOTS of cardio during matches chasing down all the shankaroos. wasn't she supposed to be a POY candidate this year?
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Sept 18, 2005 11:33:35 GMT -5
Prince cant do it all by herself and from the looks of it, she aint getting help from no one. where's KK during all this? it doesn't sound like she's playing poorly - just that she's doing LOTS of cardio during matches chasing down all the shankaroos. wasn't she supposed to be a POY candidate this year? Prince gets help, just not consistent help although Hawaii's MB2 looks to be getting better and better. Hawai'i has had some passing issues but that should correct itself as the season progresses and Shoji decides on a lineup. |
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Sept 18, 2005 11:49:40 GMT -5
Hawai'i fans are a tough bunch. They're with you when you win but lose and feel their wrath. Speaking of whiny fans, what was up with the people booing Kellly Ong when she came in to serve for Tara Hittle in game 2? I know she had a couple of service errors but booing only led to her serving it out again. Give the girl a chance. Were the fans that were sitting around you booing? Most of the sound around me were groans. Which is just as bad, given the volume of the collective groans. I kept thinking that these people obviously didn't watch that round 1/2 match that UH played last year at Fort Collins where Kelly served 10 straight points. Yes, she had had two previous service errors (and then promptly served out again), but the fairweather fans could have been more supportive. I know that's too much to ask of the fairweather fans, though. I think I heard you booing too 808.  Around me there was a lot of groaning and some booing.... poor Kelly. It just goes to show how much Hawai'i fans appreciate Tara. |
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Post by Wolfgang on Sept 18, 2005 12:06:00 GMT -5
It's possible KK will not be named an All-American this year. I know all the bad passes don't help her cause but given all the head-to-heads with other great setters, KK really bit. But it depends on the behind-the-scenes maneuverings during AA selection. Shoji may opt to lobby for Prince and KK only and perhaps the AA committee will take KK over Prince. Who knows?
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Sept 18, 2005 12:13:14 GMT -5
It's possible KK will not be named an All-American this year. I know all the bad passes don't help her cause but given all the head-to-heads with other great setters, KK really bit. But it depends on the behind-the-scenes maneuverings during AA selection. Shoji may opt to lobby for Prince and KK only and perhaps the AA committee will take KK over Prince. Who knows? Possible? perhaps, likely? nope. She'll be a 3 time AA after this season is done. |
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Post by Wolfgang on Sept 18, 2005 12:22:04 GMT -5
Hawaii usually takes 6 out of 14 All-WAC spots. This year, it may just be 3, and I'm being generous with that number.
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Post by LanaiBoy on Sept 18, 2005 12:25:34 GMT -5
...Possible? perhaps, likely? nope. She'll be a 3 time AA after this season is done. No one mentioned it, but KK was very impressive as a blocker as the whole Hawaii team was last night. It is amazing that KK can block tall trees like Pavan (UNL) and Candelas (USC). Hawaii outblocked Washington by 20 to 12. KK led all blockers on both teams with six. She is an amazing blocker for being just 5'8". Gregory and others had a spell of blocks in the third game that, as BiK mentioned before, caused Washington players to look REALLY concerned. I was surprised how much the team celebrated the end of the match, considering they swept the match. |
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Post by bowman on Sept 18, 2005 12:42:03 GMT -5
I just don't think it is fair to this year's team to compare them to last year's team based on their performance in a non-conference schedule that is clearly of a much higher quality. Yes, good point. One that I hope Wahine fans will keep in mind. Last year's team was tough. They played and fought together. This year with Hittle's injury, Hawai'i has had to find itself. I do think this team will end up being better than last year's team. They show flashes of brilliance, they just need to be consistent. I expect them to find that consistency soon. Amen. In total agreement here. I sure wish they'd give Thomas more of a shot at the m2 position. Seeing her in the spring game where she got 6 blocks in the game she was in against NU... I think they should give her more playing time. Oh well, who am I to second guess. |
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Post by ACE on Sept 18, 2005 13:40:50 GMT -5
[/quote]
Oh well, who am I to second guess.
[/quote]
Shoji does it all the time. ;D
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Post by ACE on Sept 18, 2005 13:48:28 GMT -5
At this point in the season, I wouldn't go so far as to say that this team is better than last year's. I do think they are, but that is neither here nor there. The main point is that I think the criticisms that Hawaii is not as good as last year are off base. I just don't think it is fair to this year's team to compare them to last year's team based on their performance in a non-conference schedule that is clearly of a much higher quality. I think they are better than last year, it's their record thats not better. I've never ever seen a Wahine team do downhill the year after with it's core returning. |
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Post by wang pu on Sept 18, 2005 13:58:09 GMT -5
Hawai'i fans are a tough bunch. They're with you when you win but lose and feel their wrath. Speaking of whiny fans, what was up with the people booing Kellly Ong when she came in to serve for Tara Hittle in game 2? I know she had a couple of service errors but booing only led to her serving it out again. Give the girl a chance. Were the fans that were sitting around you booing? Most of the sound around me were groans. Which is just as bad, given the volume of the collective groans. I kept thinking that these people obviously didn't watch that round 1/2 match that UH played last year at Fort Collins where Kelly served 10 straight points. Yes, she had had two previous service errors (and then promptly served out again), but the fairweather fans could have been more supportive. I know that's too much to ask of the fairweather fans, though. Exactly, I think with Kelly, Shoji is willing to take that extra risk and bring her into serve and see if she can get any free points. But for what it is worth, he didn't bring her in towards the end of the match and Tara served into the net. I guess sometimes you really can't win. These two matches will only make Hawaii stronger. |
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Post by bowman on Sept 18, 2005 14:38:00 GMT -5
rather see injuries at the beginning of the season then at the end. wahine need to find their sea legs. we saw flashes of that with quick paced offense of the first game. i think they are close to finding what will work for them for the rest of the season if they remain healthy. they are (with the exception of the second game) starting to pass better. they will be what lily used to say "a force to be reckoned with" at the end of the season..
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Sept 18, 2005 14:46:53 GMT -5
Yes, good point. One that I hope Wahine fans will keep in mind. Last year's team was tough. They played and fought together. This year with Hittle's injury, Hawai'i has had to find itself. I do think this team will end up being better than last year's team. They show flashes of brilliance, they just need to be consistent. I expect them to find that consistency soon. Amen. In total agreement here. I sure wish they'd give Thomas more of a shot at the m2 position. Seeing her in the spring game where she got 6 blocks in the game she was in against NU... I think they should give her more playing time. Oh well, who am I to second guess. Thomas isn't ready to step in and make an impact for Hawai'i. Sanders is Hawaii's best bet at the second middle position. When she's in the match she calls for the ball and she delivers. Hawai'i needs her fire in the lineup. When Sanders and Hittle are in the front row together, Hawai'i will score a lot of points. |
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