WAHINE VOLLEYBALL
This week’s tourney all in the UH ohana
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When it comes to volleyball in Hawaii, it's not so much a family tree as it is a family vine. Much like the beach liana that reaches out across the sand to the ocean, so does the Hawaii influence reach across the Pacific to mainland programs.
Charlie Wade:
Pacific coach and longtime UH assistant makes first visit to Manoa as head coach
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All three teams in this week's Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational feature players who played their high school ball in the islands. Several can be counted as part of the extended Wahine ohana: Washington libero Tamari Miyashiro's mother (Joey Akeo) and sister (Tehani) played for Hawaii; St. Mary's setter Kapua Kamana'o is the younger sister of former Wahine All-American setter Kanoe and Gaels freshman hitter Chanteal Satele's mother (LeeAnn Pestana) also played for UH.
As for Pacific, third-year coach Charlie Wade brings his team to the Stan Sheriff Center for the first time since leaving as the longtime Wahine associate head coach.
The field is a strong one for No. 10 Hawaii, with two undefeated teams in No. 9 Washington (5-0) and St. Mary's (6-0). Pacific (0-5) is looking for its first victory.
CINDY LUIS
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Recruiting is more of a numbers game than anything else. Hawaii coach Dave Shoji knows he can't always offer scholarships to the top local volleyball talent because of a surplus at one position or another.
WAHINE VOLLEYBALL
Chevron Invitational at the Stan Sheriff Center
Tomorrow: Pacific (0-5) vs. No. 9 Washington (5-0), 5 p.m.; St. Mary's (6-0) vs. No. 10 Hawaii (4-2), 7 p.m. Friday: Washington vs. St. Mary's, 5 p.m. Pacific at Hawaii, 7 p.m. Saturday: St. Mary's vs. Pacific, 5 p.m.
Washington at Hawaii, 7 p.m.
TV: KFVE, Thursday and Saturday matches; PPV: Both Friday matches
Radio: ESPN 1420-AM all Hawaii matches; Tickets: $3-$17
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At the same time, a potential player can look ahead to where the Rainbow Wahine have projected depth two years down the line and decide a mainland program is a better opportunity. Or, simply choose to go away for an education.
For a variety of reasons, several former outstanding Hawaii high school players will be on the opposite side of the net during this week's Chevron Invitational. The most notable are Washington junior libero Tamari Miyashiro and St. Mary's sophomore setter Kapua Kamana'o.
There will also be the odd sight of Charlie Wade on the opposing bench as head coach of Pacific, a job he took in 2006 after 11 years as No. 2 to Shoji. Even though the Tigers come in without a win, Shoji's greatest fear is that UOP will pull everything together against Hawaii.
"This is another opportunity for us to play quality opponents before conference starts next week," Shoji said. "I think Washington is one of the elite teams in the country and are under-ranked (at No. 9). But we're not looking ahead to them. We're taking it one match at a time."
Shoji said he wasn't surprised that his team has played as well as it has the past three matches, picking up a big win against then-No. 12 Minnesota and staying focused against Wyoming and Cincinnati.
"It's pretty encouraging," he said.
Shoji got encouraging news yesterday when sophomore libero Elizabeth Ka'aihue was cleared to play this week. She has been sidelined for the past few weeks with a knee injury.
However, junior defensive specialist Jayme Lee is out this week. She reinjured her shoulder Friday against Wyoming.
A look at the teams:
No. 10 Hawaii (4-2)
The Rainbow Wahine continued to show their depth and athleticism in winning their own Volleyball Challenge last week. Freshman hitter Kanani Herring picked up the first of what is expected to be many all-tournament honors when she was named the Most Outstanding Player.
Herring hit .429, averaging 4.10 kills and 3.10 digs per set. She opened the event with 21 kills, hitting .369, with 16 digs in the 3-2 win against Minnesota.
St. Mary's (6-0)
The Gaels, three wins shy of tying the program's best start, have picked up two tournament titles on the road so far, at Fresno State and Sacramento State. They're also 2-for-2 when it comes to MVPs in sophomore hitter Megan York (4.05 kps), who already has turned in four double-doubles.
Three former Hawaii prep standouts return home in junior middle Megan Burton ('Iolani '06), Kamana'o ('Iolani '07) and freshman hitter Chanteal Satele (Word of Life '08).
Pacific (0-5)
The Tigers have played one of the toughest schedules in the country, and done it all on the road. This Invitational is their third consecutive week away from home.
UOP opened at Florida and got swept by Western Michigan and the host Gators, currently ranked No. 8.
No. 9 Washington (5-0)
The Huskies are young - with no seniors - but have matured quickly enough to be undefeated without dropping a set. Their wins have been over Montana State, Portland, Gonzaga, Boise State and Portland State. UW comes in off a championship run in its Northwest Challenge, in which Miyashiro (Kalani '05) was named MVP.