Stephanie Paguyo, 10, gets Yuval Katz to sign her shirt at Honolulu International Airport when the Rainbows returned.
Photos by Ken Ige, Star-Bulletin

It may not be answered for a few weeks, after Yuval Katz, the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA men's volleyball championship tournament, has finished weighing all his options. Other than not attaining a national title, little is left to accomplish for the record-setting University of Hawaii sophomore opposite.

"There are so many factors involved," said Katz, a two-time All-American and co-Player of the Year for 1996. "I'm almost definitely leaving. What would make me stay, I don't know. It would take something really radical for me to change my decision. It would have to be very big but I don't even know what it would be."

Coach Mike Wilton steps off the plane into questions about the future of his team.

The departure of senior Erik Pichel, who led the country in assists, means Hawaii also has to install a new setter. Vying for the job will be juniors Curt Vaughan, who played in 12 matches this season, and Kahinu Lee, and sophomore Mason Kuo.

The Rainbows return at least nine other lettermen who contributed to the 27-3 record and the No. 1-ranking held from preseason until last week. Anchoring the veterans are juniors Aaron Wilton and Jason Ring, both of whom were selected to the all-tournament team Saturday night after the 15-13, 12-15, 9-15, 17-15, 15-12 loss the host UCLA.

"It is hard to think about next year already," said Wilton. "We may be losing possibly the greatest collegiate player ever (Katz) and a great setter (Pichel). And we won't have (graduating senior reserves) Troy Hotz and Mike Kantor back. Nobody sees them playing on the court but those two guys pushed everyone and have so much leadership.

"We're losing a lot. I don't know if anyone could ever fill Yuval's role but I have confidence that the guys we have back will step up."

Coach Mike Wilton told his players yesterday he expected the team to be back in the Final Four next year at Ball State. After finishing fourth and second, respectively, the past two seasons, the next logical step is to finish first.

"Our goals are higher now," said assistant coach Tino Reyes. "We aren't, and shouldn't be, willing to settle for just being in the conference tournament. We've been to the Final Four two straight years, we were a step closer this year than last.

"I think it will take us going back one more year. Look at Penn State (the team Hawaii defeated in Thursday's semifinal). They've been to the Final Four six consecutive years and it shows. They were so relaxed about being there, knowing what's expected when you get there."

Wilton, limited to 41/2 scholarships per NCAA regulations, said his scholarship money is already accounted for. It does, however, hinge on Katz's decision.

"I expect Yuval will be gone but we'll wait and see," said Wilton, but noted that Katz also said he was leaving last year. "There is no money left to give and recruiting right now means trying to get some people to walk on to fill out our depth chart. If Yuval leaves, then the heir apparent to his job is Jason Ring (who was at middle blocker this season).

Rick Tune, surrounded by adoring fans.

Adding to the optimism is the return of current sophomores Naveh Milo (6-2 hitter), Sivan Leoni (6-5 blocker) and Rick Tune (6-6 blocker). All three were ranked among the conference leaders in one or more categories; Tune was also No. 1 nationally in hitting and Milo fifth in aces.

Hawaii has also signed Las Vegas prep standout Vinnie Massey, a 6-2 swing hitter.

Wilton hopes to bring him along slowly.

The Rainbows set eight individual records and six team records.

Katz, who set a Final Four mark with 74 kills in two matches, finished the year with records for best kill average, most kill attempts in a single match and best service ace average, season and career.

Tune had the best hitting percentage single season and career. Pichel tied the mark for most aces in a single match.

As a team, the '96 Rainbows had their highest ever kill average, best hitting percentage, most aces and best ace average. They also had a program-record 13-match winning streak and held an opponent to the lowest ever hitting percentage (Stanford, negative .011).

The only other question mark for Hawaii concerns the rabid Rainbow fan fever that allowed the team to draw a national record 154,811 with five sellouts. The program grossed more than $500,000 where all other schools were in the red.