Wednesday, October 13, 1999
Hawaii proved
to be perfect fit
for Elias
Despite an injury that cut her
By Cindy Luis
playing time, she remembers the
national title season fondly
Star-Bulletin
This is the eighth in a weekly series on the 1979 University of Hawaii women's volleyball teams, the Wahine's first national championship. Volleyball plus the beach equaled a life-changing move for Roxanne "Rocky" Elias Wade. She still considers it one of the best things she's ever done.
"If I had the chance to do it all over again, I would go back in a second and do it the same way," said Elias in a phone call from California. "I loved everything and everyone out there. They treated me like a queen, like a movie star."
Elias was playing at Golden West Junior College in southern California where former Kalani High player John Zabriskie was an assistant coach. Zabriskie mentioned that Hawaii coach Dave Shoji was interested in her playing for the Wahine.
There was little hesitation on the part of Elias.
"I had always liked Hawaii, I had gone out there a few times on vacation and for the Pacific Rim games," she said. "I thought it would be the perfect place for me. I loved the beach and the sun, plus Hawaii had a pretty good program.
ROCKY ELIAS WADE
In 1979: Senior setter.
"I was ready to go somewhere and be independent. I couldn't think of a better spot to do that."
Elias backed up All-American setter Joyce Kaapuni as a sophomore transfer in 1976, then sat out the next season with a knee injury. In 1978, Elias and the Wahine finished third at the AIAW national tournament.
"In 1979, I knew we were going to be good," she said. "We had so many seniors and we wanted it bad. This was going to be it. It was do or die."
But her on-court contributions would be limited during the playoffs. Elias went down with a sprained ankle against Long Beach State in the first match of the Western Regional and did not return the rest of the year; she missed the final 13 matches.
"I tried hard to come back, worked hard to get back out on the court," she said. "I got to mad at Dave (Shoji) because he never put me back in. I can't complain. I just wanted to be a bigger part of us finally winning."
"Rocky had lost about six inches from her jump," said Shoji. "It was hard to keep her out but she just couldn't go."Elias said she was a nervous wreck on the sidelines during the championship match against Utah State.
"Paula (Gusman Jenkins) and I were pacing the whole time, playing every play from the sidelines," said Elias. "It was hard being down 0-2 and not being able to do anything.
"All I remember was that Utah State was so cocky. Everyone hated them. They made me so angry. We just had to win, the momentum had to change."
Hawaii began to rally, wearing down the Aggies with steady play. The Wahine finally pulled it out, 8-15, 7-15, 15-9, 16-14, 15-12.
Elias went on to play professionally in Italy ("What a great way to see a country and be paid to do it," she said.). She married Tom Wade, a volleyball player she met at a mainland tournament; they moved to California in 1982 so her husband could take over the family's trucking company after his father passed away.
"I miss Hawaii and would love to come back someday," said Elias. "I'd love to come back for the alumnae game. With the kids it's pretty hard for me to get away."
Her children play volleyball "because they want to, not because I've pushed them," she said. "I've told my kids you play because you love it. If they want my help, I'll give it to them."
Elias plays volleyball recreationally but will find herself on the sidelines again soon. She's finally getting her knee surgery done.
"I'd love to come back and see everybody," she said. "Playing in Hawaii was really cool and it got the attention you never got in California. Maybe we'll come back some day. If we win the lotto ... "
http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu
Ka Leo O Hawaii
