Tuesday, July 31, 2001
Lily’s departure will Lily Kahumoku's decision to sit out the fall season will have a far-reaching effect on numerous aspects of Wahine volleyball.
lead to Shoji shuffle
Without Kahumoku, the
Wahine coach will be forced
to tinker with the lineupUH loses volleyball star for season
By Grace Wen
gwen@starbulletin.comPlayers will be shuffled back and forth between the outside, middle and right-side positions as University of Hawaii head coach Dave Shoji searches for the proper combination on the floor.
"Everybody's role becomes a little more significant," Shoji said. "To be honest, the last two years, it's been the same lineup. We used to line up three across and overpower teams. We can't do that now.
"Our alignment (will be) much different from the past because we don't have a pure left-side hitter. We'll come up with something."
That something could include a lineup with three middle blockers playing next to each other. The depth of the Wahine team at that position demonstrates a formidable blocking lineup, but UH will be looking for someone to carry the offensive load.
Co-Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Maja Gustin could move from the middle to the left side. Though she's been a middle blocker for most of her career, the 6-foot-3 Gustin played outside before and says she wouldn't be nervous moving.
"I like playing volleyball so I'm not nervous about it," Gustin said. "We don't have players from last year so that means all the freshmen, sophomores and juniors will be more responsible for everything.
"It's a good thing because our team has very good chemistry. We know how to play as a team. It is a bigger pressure, but it's just another challenge to us."
If Gustin moves to the left, redshirt freshman Melody Eckmier and sophomore Lauren Duggins could fill in the middle spot. Transfer Nohea Tano could also contribute if she receives her release from Washington State. Outside hitter Kim Willoughby's athleticism and jumping ability also make her a candidate for the position.
A youthful lineup means that Shoji will tinker more often, but none of the players are panicking and most treat it as one more obstacle for the team to overcome this season in order to meet its goal of reaching the Final Four.
"It's sad because we lose a teammate and also a friend," setter Jennifer Carey said. "But we have to move on. She's not here so we have to deal with it.
"With this team especially, (getting to the Final Four) will take a lot of hard work, but that's still our goal. I've been telling myself to expect the worst and hope for the best."
The Wahine will likely drop in the preseason coaches poll set to be released at the end of August.
http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu
