Friday, July 31, 1998

Cordray finds
happiness in
‘resignation’

She quit the volleyball
team after 'trying times
as a Wahine'

By Cindy Luis
Star-Bulletin

And now for the rest of the story.

Radio man Paul Harvey might be disappointed with this one. Kelli Cordray was done playing volleyball for the University of Hawaii, got her degree and decided to move on.

"There really is not much more to the story than that," Wahine associate head coach Charlie Wade said. "We bring kids in to get a degree and Kelli's done that. She's getting married next year. She's back home with her family in California. She was ready to move on with her life."

Cordray, a senior outside hitter, had been elected team captain for this season. Wade said a new captain probably wouldn't be selected until after the team begins two-a-day practices Aug. 10.

Cordray is the fourth player to leave the Wahine program in the past few months. Two middle blockers - juniors Kapu Elkington (Utah) and Lori Garber (Texas Tech) - transferred, realizing they probably wouldn't get much playing time after 6-foot-2 all-Big West junior blocker Heather Bown transferred in from UC Santa Barbara and Hawaii signed 6-2 freshman Adrianne Bradley and 6-foot Veronica Lima from Brazil.

Wade said he was a little surprised when Fab 50 outside hitter Jameka Stevens decided to transfer to Cal for her sophomore season. Another player, sophomore hitter Aven Lee, was not enrolled in school during spring semester, but is on the roster as a redshirt while trying to regain her playing eligibility for 1999.

Cordray, who graduated in May, told the Star-Bulletin Wednesday night that she had been unhappy for a while. In a statement released through the university yesterday Cordray said: "Despite the aloha of the fans, I have had trying times as a Wahine. I have regained my happiness by announcing my resignation as a Wahine . . . while hopefully keeping all of Hawaii my family."

"Kelli's statement pretty much speaks for itself," Wahine head coach Dave Shoji said. "I totally respect her decision not to return and I appreciate the contributions she has made to the team.

"It's a natural question and we expect everyone to ask, 'What's wrong with the program that people are leaving?' But you can't lump them all together. Everyone left for a different reason, whether it was lack of playing time or impatience.

"Not everyone comes in and starts right away. Sure, we're concerned about it, but you can understand their reasons for leaving."

The Wahine finished 25-7 last season, losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Shoji said he expects to be "very good this season" despite returning just two starters - senior setter Nikki Hubbard and sophomore hitter Jessica Sudduth.

"We have three quality middle blockers and two quality outside hitters in Heidi (Ilustre) and Leah (Karratti)," said Shoji, who begins his 24th season. "Nikki has improved over spring and Jessica will be much improved after spending time with the U.S. National B Team."

Hawaii opens its season with an alumnae exhibition match Aug. 29. UH begins the regular season Sept. 4 against UCLA in the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Classic.