All in Invitational field still unbeaten
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The goal is simple.
Keep the undefeated season going through Sunday.
The four women's volleyball teams competing in this week's ASICS Rainbow Wahine Invitational are on equal footing heading into tomorrow night's matches at the Stan Sheriff Center.
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All four -- Colorado State, Michigan, Oregon State and Hawaii -- are unbeaten.
On paper, the 10th-ranked Wahine have to be favored to play poor hosts and emerge with the tournament title.
But a strong Colorado State team, which received votes in the preseason coaches poll, might be the sleeper in the field.
And UH fans know the trouble that the Wahine have had with Big Ten teams (think Michigan State 1995). Although Michigan is picked to finish sixth in its conference, the Wolverines have Big Ten athletes.
Oregon State is rebuilding under former U.S. national team coach Taras "Terry" Liskevych, whose 1982 Pacific team handed the Wahine their only loss of the 33-1 NCAA championship campaign.
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If there were a way to play 17 to a side, Dave Shoji would do it. He told his team that as yesterday's practice concluded at the Stan Sheriff Center.
But Hawaii's women's volleyball coach can only use six at a time -- seven counting the libero -- which made choosing the starters for tomorrow's opener akin to playing a volleyball match on his mental court.
Even now, Shoji is only 86 percent done. He named six-sevenths of his starting lineup yesterday, including redshirt freshman Dani Mafua at setter.
Mafua and sophomore transfer Stephanie Brandt had been engaged in a too-close-to-call battle since practice began Aug. 8. But only one could start against Michigan in the ASICS Rainbow Wahine Invitational.
"Dani's been a little more consistent the past couple of days," Shoji said. "Mainly the outside sets have been more consistent.
"The two of them are so close. But Stephanie will definitely play this weekend."
Also named to start against the Wolverines were senior middles Kari Gregory and Juliana Sanders; junior left-side hitters Jamie Houston and Tara Hittle; and sophomore libero Jayme Lee. Still vying for the right-side spot are sophomores Amber Kaufman and Aneli Cubi-Otineru.
"Pure joy," Mafua said when asked what it meant to start the first match. "It means all the hard work and the sacrifices made have paid off.
"I'm still going to be working hard all the time. I'm happy, but I can't let it get in the way because I have to focus."
Here's a look at UH's opponents this weekend (with last year's record in parenthesis):
Michigan (21-13)
The Wolverines, picked to finish sixth in the preseason Big Ten poll, return senior all-region selection Katie Bruzdzinski (4.63 kpg, 2.47 dpg) and the '06 block leader in junior middle Beth Karpiak (1.13 bpg).
Senior Stesha Selsky, the setter the past two years, moves back to libero, where she played as a freshman. She is UM's all-time digs leader.
Debuting at setter is freshman Lexi Zimmerman, rated one of the best at that position coming out of high school.
"It's a good opportunity for our team to compete out there," Michigan coach Mark Rosen said. "Most of them have never been to Hawaii. When you think of someplace that would be a great trip for your seniors, with a great volleyball atmosphere and tradition, it screams, 'Hawaii.'
"We knew we'd have a young setter (Zimmerman) and felt this would be a good trip to prepare her for Big Ten competition without it being a Big Ten match."
Colorado State (20-10)
The Rams, picked to finish second in the preseason Mountain West poll, received votes in the AVCA coaches poll.
CSU won the MWC Tournament in 2006 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for a 12th straight year. The Rams return six starters, including junior middle Mekana Barnes (3.15 kpg, 1.04 bpg) and junior hitter Jaime Strauss (3.56 kpg), the MVP of the MWC Tournament. Also back is senior opposite Tonya Mokelki, who spent the summer playing for the Canadian national team.
"This (tournament) is a check of where we are right now," CSU coach Tom Hilbert said. "Are we a Top 25 team? If not now then by midseason. I think we're better than we were last year, but we need to prove it.
"We're expecting great competition here. Hawaii's always great, and I am sure this year will be no exception."
Oregon State (3-24)
The Beavers were winless in the Pac-10 last season, but give them time. Coach Taras "Terry" Liskevych, the former coach for Pacific and the U.S. women's national team, is one of the great volleyball minds in the country.
OSU has five returning starters, with three transfers and three freshmen expected to contribute. Leading the returnees is sophomore hitter Rachel Rourke (4.25 kpg).
Sophomore setter Camilla Ah-Hoy (Kahuku '06) started half of the first 16 matches before tearing an ACL, sidelining her for the rest of the year.
"Camilla has had a great recovery," Liskevych said. "But we'll probably use her as the substitute setter early.
"I'd love to add more Hawaii kids. It's a great state for volleyball and we're looking forward to competing in the tournament. I've always loved playing in Hawaii and against Dave's teams and in front of some of the most knowledgeable fans in the world."
ASICS Rainbow Wahine Invitational
At the Stan Sheriff Center, tickets: $3-$19.
Schedule
Tomorrow
Oregon State vs. Colorado State, 5 p.m.
Michigan at No. 10 Hawaii, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Michigan vs. Oregon State, 5 p.m.
Colorado State at No. 10 Hawaii, 7 p.m.
Sunday
Colorado State vs. Michigan, 3 p.m.
Oregon State at No. 10 Hawaii, 5 p.m.
Broadcast information
TV: All matches on KFVE, Ch. 5
Radio: All UH matches on KKEA, 1420-AM
Internet: Live stats at HawaiiAthletics.com
Series
Hawaii leads 2-0 vs. Michigan; 6-0 vs. CSU; 2-0 vs. OSU
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