RAINBOW WAHINE VOLLEYBALL
Many interested in Wahine position
The process to replace Hawaii's associate volleyball coach is expected to be a swift one. At least that's what Rainbow Wahine head coach Dave Shoji is hoping.
Shoji said he had a "surprising number" of inquiries regarding the position vacated when Charlie Wade accepted the top job at Pacific earlier this month. Included were about a dozen inquiries from head coaches at Division I schools and dozens of calls on behalf of interested parties.
"There's a lot of interest from very qualified coaches, coaches who have had success at their programs," said Shoji, who declined to name the coaches. "I was very surprised that it would create that kind of interest, and that quickly."
The job vacancy will not be advertised nationally. It was posted on the UH system Web site Sunday and was to be advertised locally this week. The salary range is $30,900-$58,716. There are no local candidates.
Shoji said he hopes to narrow the field down to three finalists this week and possibly bring them in for interviews.
He'd also like to have his players involved in the process, either via phone interviews or in person.
"No one felt the need to advertise nationally because the word got out quickly in the volleyball community after Charlie took the job," Shoji said.
"We're looking for a recruiter who is also respected in the practice gym."
When asked if he was looking to fill the position with a male or female, Shoji said, "We want to hire the best available coach we can find."
In related news, the Wahine will host Wisconsin in their annual spring scrimmage March 15 at the Stan Sheriff Center. Hawaii begins spring practice in early March, later than normal to allow players to heal from some nagging injuries incurred last season and offseason surgery (Juliana Sanders, ankle).
The Wahine will also compete in a collegiate tournament in the Chicago area during spring break and possibly another in California.
Added to the spring roster is redshirt sophomore Elise Duggins, the younger sister of former UH All-American Lauren Duggins, who enrolled in school this semester.
Elise Duggins transferred from Long Beach State, where she played sparingly for the 49ers in 2004. She sat out last season.
Duggins was recruited out of high school by Shoji, who asked her to come as a walk-on. Duggins is a 5-foot-8 defensive specialist/libero.
"We haven't seen her play since high school so we'll see what she can do," Shoji said.
"She'll be trying out as a defensive specialist and will be one of several who will try to get on the court as a libero."
Also, Shoji said the team's annual golf tournament fund-raiser is scheduled for May 4, tentatively at Leilehua Golf Course.