All-American setter Robin Ah Mow, right, and Cecilia Goods lead
Hawaii into its season-opening match tomorrow against Florida.
Star-Bulletin

NACWAA.

Ask Nebraska. The Cornhuskers opened at the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators Volleyball Classic last season, losing the title match to Stanford.

Four months, 31 wins and zero losses later, Nebraska claimed its first national championship. The fifth-ranked Cornhuskers open their title defense tomorrow night, taking on host Illinois State in the second match at Redbird Arena.

In tomorrow's noon HST opener, No. 1 Hawaii meets 11th-ranked Florida. It's only the third time the Wahine have begun the season away from the home, the others being 1975 and 1980.

"We politicked very hard to get into this tournament," said Dave Shoji, beginning his 22nd year as Hawaii coach. "It's a very prestigious tournament and it's great to have a chance to play on national TV.

It's a dream field for ESPN, which is hoping for a matchup between No. 1 Hawaii and defending national champion Nebraska on Saturday.

It's a dream come true for Illinois State coach Julie Morgan, a 1974 Punahou School graduate. After obtaining host duties for the tournament, she lobbied for the Wahine to be invited.

"We pushed hard for Hawaii to be here," said Morgan, in her 10th season with the Redbirds. "We knew how strong the team would be and felt they would be a great draw for the tournament.

"We just hope we get a chance to play Hawaii. There aren't many teams who can say they open the preseason against the defending champion and the No. 1 team in the country."

A look at the tournament teams, last year's record in parenthesis:

HAWAII (31-1): The top-ranked Wahine are loaded with five returning starters, including two All-Americans in setter Robyn Ah Mow and middle Angelica Ljungquist. The team is eager to get back in the win column after dropping its last match of the season in the regional final.

FLORIDA (35-2): The Gators return all-conference pick Jenny Wood on the outside and Julie Stanhope, the team's No. 2 blocker from last season. Leading Florida's offense is senior setter Nikki Shade, who had the Gators hitting .311 as a team.

Florida also picked up 6-2 blocker Nina Foster, a junior transfer from Alabama.

NEBRASKA (32-1): All-American Lisa Reitsma, a 6-foot-5 junior hitter will vye for national Player of the Year honors. Also returning are starters Kate Crnich on the outside and Stacie Maser.

The big question mark for Nebraska is at setter, where sophomore Fiona Nepo of Honolulu has the edge over incoming freshman Kim Crandall.

ILLINOIS STATE (21-13): Morgan, who needs three wins to hit the 200-victory mark at ISU, has a solid nucleus back and the Redbirds are seeking their ninth Missouri Valley Conference title in 15 years. Heading the returnees are senior all-conference selections Andi Hardwick in the middle and Patti Hoppa on the outside.

"We have a lot of great support here," said Morgan. "We have a well-educated crowd and I know they'll be rooting for Hawaii Friday."

What: NACWAA Classic
Where: Normal, Ill.
Tomorrow: Hawaii vs. Florida, noon, HST; Nebraska vs. Illinois State, 2:30 p.m.
Saturday: Consolation, noon; championship, 2:30 p.m.
Radio: Live on KCCN (1420-AM)
TV: Tomorrow, Hawaii vs. Florida, 1:30 p.m., ESPN2 (tape delay); championship, 8 a.m. Monday on ESPN