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Wednesday, April 26, 2000
Shoji lands recruit
By Dave Reardon
from Slovenia
Star-BulletinHigh-technology and good old-fashioned who-you-know attracted the University of Hawaii's latest women's volleyball recruit.
Maja Gustin, a 6-foot-3 middle blocker from Slovenia, has verbally committed to the Wahine. UH received a letter of intent, but awaits some final paperwork to make it binding.
"It was another case of European athletes looking at Web sites," Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said. "She saw our site two years ago while she was in high school."
Shoji said former UH men's basketball player Ales Zivanovic also helped recruit Gustin. Both athletes' parents live in the same building in Slovenia.
"We're not actively recruiting in Europe. But when they contact you, you're obligated to look at them," Shoji said.
He's glad he did.
"On film, she's very, very good. We lost (All-American) Heather Bown, and hopefully she can help replace her," said Shoji, who hasn't met Gustin in person yet. "On the phone, she's very bright and wants to become a better player."
Gustin joins a recruiting class ranked sixth in the nation by Volleyball magazine -- without her.
Melody Eckmier (6-3, Simi Valley, Calif.), Lauren Duggins (6-0, Fullerton, Calif.) and Kim Willoughby (6-0, Napoleonville, La.) will be in the hunt for at least two open starting spots.
Also, defensive specialist Melissa Villaroman (5-5, Carson, Calif.) will walk on. Villaroman's mother, Liz, is from the Big Island, and they have family in Haleiwa.
The Wahine open their season Sept. 1 against Texas A&M in the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Classic.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
