Joselyn Robins and her Hawaii teammates were
too much for UCLA last night.
By Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin
Joselyn Robins and her Hawaii teammates were
too much for UCLA last night.
By Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin
For those unaware of the storied rivalry between Hawaii and UCLA in women's volleyball, a short history lesson is in order.
UCLA was a four-letter word - LOSS - when the Hawaii program began in the mid-1970s. The Wahine were 39-8 between 1974-76; six of those defeats were to the Bruins.
Hawaii was 0-7 against UCLA until breaking through with a victory in 1977. It took the Wahine until 1983 - in the NCAA title match - to earn the series lead at 17-16.
The teams have volleyed around, dominating each other, since then with Hawaii taking a 26-25 edge into last night's showdown at the Special Events Arena. The 52nd meeting will go down as another breakthrough for the Wahine.
The 15-5, 15-2, 15-9 demolition of UCLA after 79 minutes meant more than just the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Classic trophy. It was a validation of a No. 1-ranking and a 5-0 record that includes four wins over Top 25 teams.
"I don't think these guys understand how much it means to beat UCLA like this," Wahine coach Dave Shoji said, referring to his players. "They see UCLA as just another team. It's been such a great rivalry through the years, and for me to beat Andy (UCLA coach Banachowski) this easily is pretty gratifying.
"UCLA probably has 10 high school All-Americans. We maybe have one. It's gratifying because we've worked so hard to get where we are."
In sweeping UCLA, Hawaii took the Bruins to a place they had never been, to 16 total points. It was the worst three-set loss in Bruin history and bettered the Wahine's best-ever defensive performance over UCLA (24 points in 1980, 15-7, 15-7, 15-10).
Banachowski's teams had never lost a season opener in his 30 years. Now they go home with two losses in their first three outings and their first third-place Classic showing after four championships and five second-place trophies.
"Hawaii was very, very good tonight," said Banachowski, the winningest coach in women's college history (796-163). "Their offense was strong. They served tough. They blocked well.
"We made a little bit of a run at the end, but that might have been Hawaii relaxing their intensity. We're not ready to play on the same level as they are right now."
The Wahine played either above the net (hitting a team .469) or seemingly below the court (44 digs). Hawaii's defense was spectacular, particularly by Nalani Yamashita (13 digs) and Chastity Nobriga (11).
One play that electrified the crowd of 7,285 came late in Game 1 when Joselyn Robins dug a bullet from Kim Krull. Yamashita dove to keep it in play and Nobriga used a golf swing to coax it over the net.
The Bruins were so mesmerized by the play, they failed to touch the ball. The Wahine led, 11-3.
"Their defense was a surprise, you didn't expect some of those balls to come back up," UCLA's Tanisha Larkin said.
Hawaii's block and defense turned UCLA's might into mediocrity. The Bruins hit .124, the best individual efforts came from Krull (11 kills, .231) and Kara Milling (10 kills, .280).
The Wahine have today off and will be back at practice tomorrow. Hawaii hosts the Aston Imua Challenge, featuring Santa Clara, Cal State-Sacramento and Rhode Island, beginning Thursday.
Yelin's Cardinals should improve on their No. 25 ranking after their second-place Classic showing. Louisville swept Michigan, 15-12, 15-13, 15-10, in yesterday's first match.