W A H I N E _ V O L L E Y B A L L


Wahine focus
on their own game

Preparation, for Hawaii, is more about
itself than an opponent

By Cindy Luis
Star-Bulletin


It may end up being the stiffest challenge of the week for three University of Hawaii volleyball players. Angelica Ljungquist, Joselyn Robins and Therese Crawford fielded some tough questions yesterday from some 150 Kailua Intermediate School students about the pressures of being part of the top-ranked Wahine squad.

The shots taken by this week's WAC opponents, Wyoming and Colorado State, may not be as hard-hitting as the ones yesterday: "What's it like to be famous?" "Does all the media attention mean more pressure?" "How are the road trips?" "What's it like to have 10,000 people cheering for you?"

Inquiring minds like Aziza North and Jerry Tasker wanted to know everything from why the three chose UH to when they began playing volleyball. The responses came back with some valuable advice attached.

"It's hard for me to accept being a celebrity," said Robins. "I try to be the same person on and off the court."

"College is a lot about time management," added Crawford. "There's going to be a lot more reading than you have now. Be prepared."

Preparation at this point of the season for Hawaii (15-0 overall, 4-0 WAC) is more about itself than an opponent. The concerns are about fine-tuning what's happening on the Wahine's side of the court rather than what's going to go on with the Cowgirls (8-9, 2-1) Friday or the Rams (12-4, 2-1) Sunday.

"There's not much that we haven't seen this season," said Hawaii coach Dave Shoji. "We need to be aware of their hot hitters, who they're likely to set.

"It's not so much about working on their offense as it is about spending more time on what we need to be doing. At this point of the year, we're just working on being the best we can be."

Of the two weekend opponents, Colorado State presents the tougher challenge. The Rams are hitting .262 in the WAC, second to Hawaii's .312.

The Wahine hold a 7-0 advantage in the series with Wyoming. Their last meeting was in 1992. Hawaii is 3-0 vs. Colorado State, including a straight-set victory in 1989, the last time the teams met.

Yesterday, the three Wahine players put up some big numbers to the KIS students in the combined class of Ken Kendall, Eric Sakaida and Cathy Watson. They issued a challenge of reading 300 extra-credit books between now and Christmas with the promise of a pizza party and a volleyball game against the KIS teachers in spring if the goal is met.

Halfway through the season, Hawaii officials are already looking at postseason play. The bid process for first- and second-round matches, as well as regionals, begins tomorrow.

Hawaii anticipates receiving a first-round bye and would be able to sandwich the other dates around two UH men's basketball tournaments. Postseason bid requirements include a minimum guarantee of $6,000 and having a 2,000-seat facility.

"We will put in for the 8th for the second-round and the 12th and 13th for the regional," assistant athletic director Marilyn Moniz-Kahoohanohano said yesterday. "I feel good about our chances of getting the dates as long as we remain the top seed in the region. The higher seed gets the nod as long as they meet the other requirements."

Hawaii is in District 7, which consists of WAC, Big West and Southland conferences. The Wahine are ranked No. 1 in the district, followed by Long Beach State, UC Santa Barbara, Pacific, Colorado State and San Diego State.


WAC Volleyball

Friday: Hawaii (15-0, 4-0) vs. Wyoming (8-9, 2-1), 7:10 p.m.
Sunday: Hawaii vs. Colorado State (12-4, 2-1), 4:10 p.m.
Where: Special Events Arena.
Broadcasts: Both matches live on KFVE-TV (Channel 5), Sunday only on KCCN (1420-AM).



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