Notebook
Wednesday, September 16, 1998
After the way quarterbacks Josh Skinner and Dan Robinson played during yesterday's final major practice, University of Hawaii head coach Fred vonAppen wasn't prepared to name a starter for Saturday's game against the University of Utah. Starting QB yet
to step forward"Dan throws a horrible interception and Josh is struggling with decisions in the option game," vonAppen said. "Meanwhile, we've been impressed with Shawn Withy-Allen, both the bye week and this week. We want to get him some time and see what he can do."
That doesn't mean the freshman from Kalaheo High is going to take the team's first snap from center. If the Rainbows open in the option, it's likely Skinner will get the nod. If not, Robinson is the choice.
"I'm not prepared to name a starter and I'm not being coy," UH offensive coordinator Don Lindsey said. "This may be the same situation every week, unless one of those guys moves to the top."
Withy-Allen may have the physical tools to be the starter, but his lack of experience is holding him back.
"That's why we want to give him some time and see how he responds," UH quarterbacks coach Tim Green said. "He makes the best decisions of the four. But practice is one thing. A game on the road against a team like Utah is quite another."
KICK AND CHOOSE: VonAppen won't announce until today which kickers will travel to Salt Lake City, but junior Chad Shrout is the leading candidate.
He and Eric Hannum competed for the field-goal and extra-point duties the past two weeks. Shrout already handles kickoffs and punts.
Hannum hurt himself by missing a field goal and PAT in Hawaii's 27-6 loss to Arizona. Shrout isn't as accurate as Hannum, but his leg is livelier. It's likely he will handle all kicking duties against Utah.
"I don't want to announce a decision until I've talked with the kids," vonAppen said. "We can only travel with 60 players.
"We want to keep it competitive. I think you have a chance to be a better team if there's some competition. Some guys are rejecting the competition, but they'll learn. We're not going to compromise our standards."
INJURY UPDATE: Senior fullback Anthony DiIeso went down with a stress fracture similar to cornerback Celnell Bobbitt's and will be out a minimum of four weeks.
The Long Island, N.Y., native has a medical redshirt year available, but it's unlikely the 24-year-old will take it.
"We'll just have to see how things develop," said DiIeso, who was slowed most of last year with turf toe. "I'm not sure what I'm going to do. But I feel like I'm getting a little old for this sort of thing."
With DiIeso out, vonAppen moved Freddie Lau to fullback. At Utah, he will play behind Calvin Mims and Avion Weaver. Backup tailback Afatia Thompson also could play fullback.
DiIeso also is the up-back on the punt team. Free safety Daniel Ho-Ching will replace him there.
"That's a big loss because Anthony is an experienced guy who can do a lot of things," vonAppen said. "This injury just came out of the blue. It was real sore, so they did a bone scan and it was cracked."
By Paul Arnett
It took an act of faith for Becky Laubach to leave her Brigham Young-Hawaii volleyball career behind. It took another for her to come back and try to play for the top-ranked Seasiders. Laubach back
for SeasidersIn 1996, the 6-foot junior All-American helped BYU-Hawaii to its third consecutive NAIA title. Then Laubach took an 18-month hiatus to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Tempe, Ariz.
But she's back and trying to regain her form with the Seasiders, who have since moved to NCAA Division II.
"Things are going very well now, but at the beginning, it was hard," said Laubach, who took a crash-course in Spanish before being sent to Arizona. "The team has gotten strong in the time I was gone and there's so much talent.
"I've improved spiritually and personally since I last played. Volleyball-wise, there's always room for improvement."
Opponents haven't noticed. Laubach, surrounded by All-American teammates Arlete Silva, Vanessa Valansi and Juliana Lima, is leading the Pacific West Conference in hitting (.429) and is third in blocks.
"I'm happy Becky is back," BYU-Hawaii coach Wilfred Navalta said. "She brings stability and maturity to the team. Personally, she's more calm, peaceful and focused.
"She's more focused as far as what's important to her in life. Volleyball is important, but she has a higher set of values now. The missionary work has helped her tremendously, and it has helped our team."
Laubach was released from the mission about a week before the Seasiders opened training camp.
"It felt right to come back," the Waianae High product said. "I had worked out a little (in Arizona), jogging and walking.
"It was scary to think what Coach Mike (strength coach Mike Apo) was going to do to me. It was hard at first to get back into the routine, the running and lifting weights. The muscles were sore and tight. Now I feel great."
The transition to missionary work was harder.
"It was difficult because of the rejection," she said. "There are so many rumors that people hear about the church that aren't true, so we try to overcome that.
"It made me stronger. That's what I was expecting, to become a stronger person and grow closer to God."
The Seasiders didn't lose a match in her absence, going 32-0 last season. They are 5-0 heading into tomorrow's home match with Chaminade.
"I just hope to contribute in any way that I can," Laubach said. "If I don't get to play as much as I did before, it doesn't matter. I'm just grateful to be part of this team."
SEA WARRIORS SWEEP: Hawaii Pacific opened Pacific West Conference volleyball play last night with a 15-5, 15-7, 15-10 victory over Chaminade in 90 minutes at McCabe Gym.
Debbie Sant'Anna led the Sea Warriors (6-0) with 11 kills and eight of her team's 16 service aces. Cecilia Williams had eight kills for the Silverswords (1-7).
SEASIDERS REMAIN NO. 1: BYU-Hawaii remained the top-ranked team in the NCAA Division II women's volleyball poll released yesterday. The Seasiders captured all 24 first-place votes.
Hawaii-Hilo, No. 23 last week, dropped to 27th with 33 points.
"We haven't met some of the darkhorse teams out there," BYU-Hawaii coach Wilfred Navalta said. "There's a lot of good teams out there.
"HPU is one of those teams to consider. They aren't even ranked. They should be in the Top 10. Friday's match should be a good one."
The Seasiders host the Sea Warriors at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Cannon Activities Center.
AKI NAMED: Henry Aki has been named the new head women's tennis coach at Hawaii-Hilo. Aki, a former Vulcan player, has been coaching and teaching at Pahoa High School.
VULCAN SCHOLARS: Three Hawaii-Hilo softball players were named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar-Athlete team yesterday.
Julie Bock, Gail Ostrander and Kristy Odamura each have maintained grade point averages of 3.5 or better.
By Cindy Luis