Wahine start rebuilding plan

By Cindy Luis
Star-Bulletin

For those who believe that history repeats itself, take heart.

The last time the University of Hawaii women's volleyball team got bounced out of the NCAA Tournament was 1984. The nucleus of that young team went on to win the national championship as seniors in 1987.

Last Friday night, the Wahine were unceremoniously dumped from postseason play by Loyola Marymount. It has allowed Hawaii coach Dave Shoji to get his Christmas shopping done earlier than expected as well as have more time to make out his New Year's resolution list for next year's team.

"I'm putting the players on notice that a lot of their playing time next season is in their hands," said Shoji, his team finishing 25-8. "They need to earn their positions or expect not to play.

"I like how we look in certain spots but every position needs to be improved. There is not a position that I'm going to stand pat on. Either the player needs to get better or we need a new body in there."

Hawaii loses two seniors off its 14-player roster who accounted for 45 percent of the team's kills and over half of the blocks: middle Cecelia "Cia" Goods and outside hitter Therese Crawford. Of the two All-American candidates, Goods will be the harder to replace.

"We don't have anyone on the current roster who is as athletic as Cia," Shoji said of the 6-foot-3 Goods, who was second nationally in blocks this season. "You'd better believe that's one tough hole to fill for next year."

The answer may not be on the current roster. Sophomore Jenny Roberts (6-2) showed equal flashes of brilliance and inconsistency; Lori Garber (6-3) never got up to speed following a bout with mononucleosis; and Kapu Elkington (6-1) is very athletic but lacks the size and strength for the position.

Shoji has a verbal commitment from one middle: 6-2 (and growing) Adrianne Bradley, the younger sister of NBA player Shawn Bradley. She helped Emery (Utah) team to a state championship as a junior and runner-up spot this past season.

There's depth at outside hitter, with Kelli Cordray and Leah Karratti returning for their senior seasons, and Heidi Ilustre as an experienced junior. Freshman Jessica Sudduth should be back in a starting slot and fans should see a lot more of Jameka Stevens as a sophomore.

Aven Lee's size (5-8) may keep her in the back row. Keala Nihipali is still the team's No. 3 setter.

Shoji has one scholarship remaining and is hoping to sign a top mainland player, an incoming freshman, by the end of the week. He is still considering a foreign recruit and is looking for a setter.

Freshman Tehani Miyashiro set in Game 3 of Friday's loss to LMU with a fair amount of success, given the circumstances. Shoji said Miyashiro could be the starting setter next season, depending on how spring ball went.

When asked about setter Nikki Hubbert's status for her upcoming senior year, "We're looking at trying to improve the team by maybe moving some people," the coach said.

"We need to improve at every position and how we do that may mean some real changes in the lineup. I have one scholarship left but that could change. You never know. People might be unhappy over playing time and decide to leave. I expect everyone back."

Shoji also expected to be playing in a regional this weekend.

"Realistically, we thought we could get to a regional but it wasn't meant to be, the way the pairings went," said Shoji, completing his 23rd season. "It was a hard team to coach because there were so many expectations after the last two seasons (66-4 overall, 1996 NCAA runners-up).

"We expected to win and were expected to win. We started looking for quick fixes and the answers usually weren't there. I don't like to lose but I don't care who you are, when you lose five senior starters like we did, it's going to take more than a year to get back to elite status."

Shoji had predicted this team would lose between five and nine matches. He scheduled tough, despite the youth and inexperience, to help the RPI ratings.

It didn't help. Next season's schedule will be equally as tough with UCLA, Pacific, Ohio State, Florida, Arizona State and Central Florida among the teams making visits.

There are also two nonconference road matches pending. The WAC's Pacific Division will be stronger, as the quadrant with BYU, Colorado State, Utah and Wyoming rotates to join the quad with Hawaii, San Diego State, Fresno State and San Jose State.

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1997 UH Wahine Volleyball Schedule

http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu