Friday, September 4, 1998

Wahine’s Hubbert
set to make her mark

The pressures of last season
are behind her—and the
UH women's volleyball team

By Cindy Luis
Star-Bulletin

All the world's a stage. And sometimes the spotlights are unmerciful.

Such was the case last season when Nikki Hubbert replaced All-American Robyn Ah Mow as the setter for one of America's top volleyball teams.

The Wahine -- and Hubbert -- couldn't maintain the level of success of the previous two seasons. There was a certain aura surrounding the University of Hawaii teams of 1995 and '96, which translated into a combined record of 66-4 and an NCAA runner-up finish.

It was a euphoric and almost unnatural high, followed by an unsatisfactory low -- a 25-8 mark and a first-round ousting from the NCAA Tournament. Then the Wahine roster became a revolving door with the unprecedented departure of five players.

The curtain goes up on the 25th edition of the Wahine tonight against UCLA in the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Classic. It's the overture Hubbert has been waiting for -- her senior season, where she finally feels it's her team.

"I think the pressures following '96 are gone," Hubbert said. "This is my last year and I'm going out there to have fun.

"The personality of the team has really changed from last year. It's much more energized. I'm very confident with every player we have out there. I have a lot more options with all five players. If I'm struggling on a particular set in the middle, then I can flick it out to the right or left or go back row. This year, I can basically go to anyone and I'm confident that they'll put it down."

Coach Dave Shoji upgraded the program at nearly every position during the off-season, especially at middle blocker. He wanted to bring in another setter, but "we didn't feel like we wanted to bring in someone who wasn't as good as Nikki," Shoji said. "We were in on one of the best setters in the country, but it didn't work out.

"We're comfortable with Nikki. She's vastly improved over last year. She's worked very hard at her game and has become a much better player."

Hubbert's determination to improve began last spring. No stranger to discipline -- she was a serious dance student for 13 years -- Hubbert did countless repetitions with a medicine ball to strengthen her fingers and wrists.

She worked out almost daily with teammates Leah Karratti and Heidi Ilustre over the summer, working on timing and rhythm. A stress fracture in her right leg has been more of a nuisance than a pain for Hubbert. She's determined not to let the injury slow her and her team down.

"Nikki has worked really hard," said Wahine assistant coach Kari Anderson, who preceded Ah Mow as setter. "Her consistency has gotten a lot better. The extra work she's put in shows.

"Nikki's been real focused. She worked out hard to get herself physically ready to play."

The baggage Hubbert was burdened with last season apparently is gone.

"There were tears last year," she said. "I don't think I was ready mentally, especially after we had been to the final four (in 1996). There was a lot of pressure from people expecting me to perform.

"Over spring and summer, I think I've matured a lot. I'm concentrating on volleyball this year and ready to do the best job I can."

Hubbert transferred from Washington State after her freshman year, giving up a scholarship to walk on at Hawaii. She'll leave next May with a degree in secondary education.

"My mom wants me to start teaching right away, but I want to do something fun first," said Hubbert, who is fifth in career assists (1,586) at UH. "I'd like to go back to Los Angeles and do fitness pageants. I need a break to do something fun for a couple of years."

Fun would be helping the Wahine get to Madison, Wis., for the final four in December.

"Everyone on this team really believes we can go to Madison," Hubbert said. "Everybody's determined to achieve that goal. We feel it's a reality.

"We start with this tournament. It's going to be fun, and hopefully we come out 3-0. If we play like we've been practicing, that's what will happen."

And maybe sometime in mid-December, Hubbert will finally be able to take a bow.

The Hubbert file

Position: Setter
Year: Senior
Age: 21
Career watch: No. 5 in assists (1,586), No. 2 in assist average (11.84)
Shoji on Hubbert: "Nikki has a better understanding of what we're trying to do out there. That's a maturing process. Her technique has improved and she is much more consistent. She is vastly improved."

http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu