OPPONENTS
Fairfield, Conn.
(pop. 57,340)
FAIRFIELD: The Stags won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular season but lost to Siena in the MAAC Tourney final and did not advance to the NCAAs.
Fairfield
Sept. 7
7 p.m.
Stan Sheriff Center
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Of the five Hawaii prep products on the roster, three are juniors from St. Joseph in Hilo: setter Ashley Hanohano, hitter Jazmin Pa'akaula and All-MAAC hitter Lindsey Lee. Others are sophomore DS Brandi Higa (Hawaii Baptist) and All-MAAC senior libero Kiana Kauwe (Kamehameha).
Did you know?: Fairfield, the home of General Electric, is the birthplace of actress Meg Ryan.
If you go... Settled in 1639, the "Dogwood Capital of the World" holds its annual Dogwood Festival in mid-May.
Road Work Ahead
Ames, Iowa: pop. 50,731
It would be a bonus of a trip back home if Hawaii were to make it to the final four in Omaha, just a 3-hour drive via I-35 and I-80 from Jessica Keefe's hometown.
"I've been there for many basketball and volleyball camps," the sophomore outside hitter said. "It's pretty typical Midwest.
"I'd really, really enjoy being in Omaha in December. It would be such a bonus for me. And I think we can be there. We have a lot going for us. Whether we can make it happen ... we're going to put as much into it as we can put in. We have a goal in mind that will make us strong."
Keefe redshirted in 2004 and was used sparingly last season. When she'll see substantial playing time is an unknown.
"My motto is to have patience," she said. "There's an added drive for me to get playing time. After three years here, I feel like I'm a strong athlete, person and volleyball player. ... I'm looking forward to our season. Bring 'em on!"
If you go... Panera Bread Restaurant & Cafe on South Duff Street offers inexpensive baked goods, soufflés and salads.
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Evanston, Ill.
(pop. 74,239)
NORTHWESTERN: The Wildcats compiled their most wins since 1988, defeating Texas A&M in the first round for the program's first NCAA victory and coach Keylor Chan's 100th career win, before being eliminated by Notre Dame
Northwestern
Sept. 8
7 p.m.
Stan Sheriff Center
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Adding to the five returning starters is a recruiting class ranked No. 14 by PrepVolleyball.com.
Did you know?: Home to Rotary International and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, Evanston is the birthplace of Tinkertoys, auto racing and (allegedly) the ice cream sundae.
If you go... Northwestern's Hawaii Club hosts its annual luau in May.
Stanford, Calif.
(pop. 13,315)
STANFORD: The Cardinal, one of three teams to make all 25 NCAA tournaments, saw its injury-plagued season ended by Santa Clara in the second round.
Stanford
Sept. 9
7 p.m.
Stan Sheriff Center
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Loaded Stanford returns three All-Americans, including Pac-10 freshman of the year Foluke Akinradewo. Back is sophomore hitter Cynthia Barboza (out final 11 matches with torn ACL), who played on the national team while in high school.
Did you know?: Stanford has the most NCAA tournament victories (77) and titles (6). Cobey Shoji, daughter of UH coach Dave Shoji, is the Director of Volleyball Operations. Son Kawika is an incoming freshman.
If you go... The Stanford University Golf Course (1930) is consistently rated one of the finest in the world.
San Luis Obispo, Calif.
(pop. 44,174)
Cal Poly SLO: The Mustangs, third in the Big West (10-4), did not make the NCAA tournament.
Cal Poly SLO
Sept. 14 & 15
7 p.m.
Stan Sheriff Center
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Cal Poly returns four all-conference players, including sophomore hitter Kylie Atherstone (3.61 kpg).
Did you know?: Cal Poly ended UH's Klum Gym winning streak at 55 in 1989. They were coached by Mike Wilton, the current UH men's coach. UH's late athletic director Stan Sheriff was an All-America football player for the Mustangs.
If you go... Oceano Dunes is the only California state park where vehicles may be driven on the beach ... Motel Inn, the world's first motel, is here.
Fresno, Calif.
(pop. 464,727)
Fresno State (7-21): The Bulldogs struggled under first-year coach Ruben Nieves, losing 10 straight early in the season and four in a row to end it.
Fresno State
Sept. 23
7 p.m.
Stan Sheriff Center
Sept. 29
4 p.m.
North Gym (1,401)
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Four starters are back, including senior hitter Alison Pitton, 10th in the WAC in kills (3.51 kpg), although all-freshman middle Kasie Spencer is no long with the team. Seven freshmen are on the roster.
Did you know?: Fresno is the "Raisin Capital of the World." Fresno State purports to have the only commercial winery operating on a college campus in America.
If you go... Plenty of fruit and nut stands in the area. The best is the 98-year-old Casa de Fruta.
Caution: People on Freeway
San Jose, Calif.: pop. 910,000
She is one of those athletes who, when told to jump, will not only ask "How high? but "How often?"
It's one of the reasons that Amber Kaufman chose Hawaii out of the number of volleyball schools seeking her talents -- UH was the one school that would allow her to play two sports. The 6-foot freshman middle is planning on competing for the Wahine track team next spring in the high jump, triple jump and long jump.
"Hawaii matches my lifestyle and personality," said Kaufman, whose PR in the high jump is 5-10 1/4. "I'm pretty laid-back, enjoy the beach and I surf.
"This is a big adjustment (from high school). My teammates are amazing. Judging from practice, I think we can make it pretty far (in the NCAA tournament). I don't know if I'm going to play (this year), but I hope so."
(It had not been determined by press time whether Kaufman would redshirt).
"She's an amazing athlete," said former Wahine Jessica Sudduth Kaven, Kaufman's club coach.
If you go... Take in a San Francisco Giants game. Head to Davenport Beach. Eat at Kirk's Steakhouse.
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San Jose, Calif.
(pop. 910,000)
San Jose State: The Spartans have all their starters back from a roller-coaster year, including All-WAC first-teamer Jennifer Senftleben (4.15 kpg) and senior libero Jessie Shull (4.87 dpg).
San Jose State
Sept. 30
5 p.m.
The Event Center (5,000)
Oct. 29
5 p.m.
Stan Sheriff Center
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Top newcomer is Kristal Tsukano, a libero from Kamehameha.
Did you know?: The Spartan football team was on Oahu to play UH when Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941. The game was canceled and the team volunteered for duty with HPD instead of returning home.
If you go... Check out the 160-room Winchester Mystery House, which began construction in 1884.