Thursday, March 15, 2001

Wahine deal
with Galloway’s
departure

The senior captain may
have been upset with the
NCAA snub

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

Speculation about Kylie Galloway's status with the University of Hawaii women's basketball team ended last night when head coach Vince Goo announced that Galloway had voluntarily left the team.

"Kylie has decided not to continue in our basketball program," Goo said. "As I have done in the past five years, I offered her advice that I thought would be in her best interest. But she decided otherwise."

Galloway was a unanimous selection by her teammates to be their captain this year. At the time, Galloway said she felt she was ready to be the Wahine leader.

The 6-foot senior forward from Australia was not at practice Tuesday. Her absence was explained with the simple statement that she couldn't make it. The UH coaches closed yesterday's practice and the players were told not to discuss the situation with the media.

Three weeks ago, Galloway talked about how it was the dream of every American college basketball player to go to the NCAA Tournament. It was easy to tell she wanted to conclude her UH career as a participant in the "Big Dance."

In the Wahine basketball media guide, Galloway's "greatest athletic moment" was "Playing in the NCAA Tournament."

When the Wahine arrived at Honolulu Airport Sunday night, Galloway refused all requests for interviews. The team had learned during a layover in Los Angeles that the NCAA Selection Committee did not extend an at-large bid to Hawaii.

What part Hawaii's exclusion from the NCAA Tournament played in her decision is not known.

Galloway did not return calls from the Star-Bulletin last night.

The UH coaches will have the option of starting 6-foot-4 senior Dainora Puida, 6-2 sophomore Natasja Allen or 5-11 junior Karena Greeny tonight at 7 against Santa Clara in a first-round Women's National Invitation Tournament game at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Note: Following tonight's broadcast of the WNIT game between Hawaii and Santa Clara, KFVE (Channel 5) will air a one-hour special that will include post-game coverage of the Wahine game and a preview of the UH Rainbows game tomorrow against Syracuse.

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UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii