Tuesday, August 25, 1998

By Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin
Junior middle blocker Arlete Silva and the Seasiders
should be flying high again this season.

---

Brigham Young-Hawaii moves
to a new conference and into
NCAA Division II, but the
Seasiders are still the team to beat

By Jerry Campany
Special to the Star-Bulletin

THE road to volleyball glory might change, but the destination stays the same.

Brigham Young University-Hawaii moves into NCAA Division II play this season after closing out an undefeated NAIA national championship season. But the Seasiders expect nothing less than a national title at their new level.

"We have to readjust our goals," head coach Wilfred Navalta said. "Our most immediate concern is to qualify for the Pac West playoffs, but our ultimate goal of a national championship stays the same."

In addition to the jump to Division II, the Seasiders will compete in the expanded and newly realigned Pacific West conference with fellow Hawaii schools Hawaii Pacific University, Chaminade University and the University of Hawaii-Hilo. The four Hawaii schools will battle each other as well as Alaska-Anchorage, Alaska-Fairbanks, Montana State-Billings, and Western New Mexico for Pacific Division supremacy within the new conference, an honor that brings with it the opportunity to host the conference playoffs every other season, beginning this year.

Hawaii Pacific head coach Tita Ahuna said it's too early to consider earning the top spot, but admits that playing host would be advantageous.

"It is extremely important," Ahuna said. "The home-court advantage, the fans, and the comfort of going home after each game gives you a slight edge in an even field."

Earning the right to host the conference tournament won't be easy for a BYUH team that enters the season ranked No. 4 in Division II. Its neighbors are ready and waiting to pounce on the premier team in the conference.

"The road starts at home," Navalta said. "I look forward to renewing rivalries with all of the Hawaii schools, but all three of them can easily beat us if we are not at the top of our game."

Navalta said he expects BYUH to be competitive in its initial season in the Pac West, and that the Seasiders will only get better as the newness wears off and teams become more familiar with each other.

The Seasiders open the season at the Denver Premier Challenge on Sept. 4-5. The tournament features 12 of the better teams in Division II. Nine of the top 20 teams will be there, including top-ranked West Texas A&M.

Chaminade, Hawaii-Hilo, and Hawaii Pacific gather in Hilo to compete in the Hawaiian Style Classic Sept. 3.

A look at the Hawaii teams in the Pacific West's Pacific Division:

BYUH Seasiders

Coach: Wilfred Navalta
Key returnees: MB Arlete Silva (Jr.); S Juliana Lima (Jr.); OH Vanessa Valansi (So.); OH Ave Neria (So.); DS Tammy Peniata (Jr.); OH Andrea Gomez (Sr.); MB Elena Burymski (So.)
Key newcomers: MB Becky Laubach (Sr.)
Key losses: OH Ana Alves; DS Rachel Nihipali; MB Karla Ribeiro; OH Kalolaine Uluave
Laubach, a three-time NAIA All-American, is back after an 18-month mission, and her return to form will be a key to the BYUH season.
"She came back looking very strong spiritually," Navalta said, "but we need her to be just as strong physically."
Lima holds the reigns to an offense that will go as far as she can take it.
"The quarterback (setter) has to always be steady," Navalta said.

Hawaii-Hilo Vulcans

Coach: Sharon Peterson
Key returnees: RH April Jacobson (Sr.); MB Heather Campbell (Sr.); S Heather Wride (Sr.); OH/MB Ginelle Palau (Sr.); OH Shawn Wisneski (So.)
Key newcomers: MB Lisa Ha'unga (Sr.); OH Jamie Hatcher (Jr.); OH Fanaafi Falemalu (Jr.); OH Nicole Moniz-Viveiros (Fr.); OH Sunshine Palacio (Jr.); S Brandi Hori (Fr.)
Key losses: MB Meliah Hai-Kelly; MB April Pana; OH Angel Sua'ava; MB Katy Gibson; S Heidi Ferguson
Coach Peterson is armed with a good blend of experience and youth. The Vulcans were ranked 20th in the preseason poll. Middle blocker and outside hitter Palau provides flexibility. She had 417 kills and 450 digs last season. Senior starters Heather Campbell, April Jacobson and setter Heather Wride will provide leadership and solid play. BYUH transfer Ha'unga should help offset the loss of Hai-Kelly and Pana.

Chaminade Silverswords

Coach: Glennie Adams
Key returnees: MB Aileenmarie Arnold (Jr.); OH Doris Bikar (Sr.); S Karlen Porter (Jr.); OH Hinano Warfield (Sr.); OH/MB Cecilia Williams (Jr.); S/BC Aubrey Nu (Jr.)
Key newcomers: OH/MB Joan Lilio (Jr.); RS/BC Janielle Robello (Fr.); OH Gerrine SamFong (Fr.); OH Shanna Willing (Fr.)
Key losses: MB Marci Fieber; OH Danielle Robins
Chaminade lost its best hitter and two best blockers from last season's second place team, but coach Adams brought in four talented newcomers. Freshmen outside hitters SamFong and Willing should join seniors Bikar and Warfield and contribute immediately. Lilio transferred from Hawaii Pacific to give Arnold help in the middle. Junior setter Porter also returns.

Hawaii Pacific
Sea Warriors

Coach: Tita Ahuna
Key returnees: MB Dawn Penebacker (Jr.); OH Tofoi Tuitele (Sr.); OH Benji Maiava (Sr.); S Jhoana Maristela (Sr.)
Key newcomers: MB Hai Yan Wang (Jr.); MB Deborah Sant Anna (Jr.); MB Darcy Hales (Jr.); S/OH Nia Tuitele (Fr.)
Key losses: OH Nina McClinton; OH Janet Kennedy
After a disappointing 10-11 mark last season and the loss of Kennedy and all-star outside hitter McClinton, Coach Ahuna went to work and bulked up her team over the summer, signing three middle blockers -- each over 6-feet tall -- to join Penebacker up front.
Ahuna is excited about her best recruiting season in her three years at HPU, but cautions that a winning chemistry takes time to develop.
"We are not good enough to look ahead," she said. "We just have to take it one game at a time and improve as the season goes on."

Pacific West Conference Pacific Division Alaska-Anchorage Alaska-Fairbanks BYU-Hawaii Chaminade Hawaii-Hilo Hawaii Pacific Montana State University-Billings Western New Mexico University West Division Central Washington University Humboldt State College Lewis-Clark State College Saint Martin's College Seattle Pacific University Simon Fraser University Western Oregon University Western Washington University