Sunday, November 18, 2001
[ WAHINE VOLLEYBALL ]
SAN JOSE, Calif. >> Compared to the three previous Western Athletic Conference championships, the Hawaii volleyball team's path to the WAC final has never been quite so easy. UH heads into WAC
final on a highBy Grace Wen
gwen@starbulletin.comBut Hawaii's path of least resistance ends today when it plays San Jose State at 11 a.m. (1420-AM) in the championship.
San Jose State swept Nevada 30-23, 30-18, 30-26 in the second semifinal to set up today's rematch.
Though the Wahine dominated the Spartans a week ago in Honolulu, UH shouldn't expect an easy match.
The Spartans are tough at home and almost defeated Hawaii a month ago. If it hadn't been for the heroics of Kim Willoughby in the fifth game, Hawaii would have had a blemish on its WAC record.
The memory of the near loss lingers for the Wahine, but Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said the team has set other goals.
"I'm sure we remember that," Shoji said. "That's good incentive for us. (But) we want that automatic (NCAA) berth.
"I know the players just want to win the WAC title. We also want to start peaking for the playoffs. We also want to start establishing solid play in all phases of the game."
Spartan coach Craig Choate is already convinced that the Wahine are more solid. While home court advantage factored in the last meeting at the Event Center, Choate doesn't think it will matter today.
"Hawaii's still a prohibitive favorite because they're not playing like they were when we first played them," Choate said. "We played exceptionally well and they weren't the team they are now."
Choate says that the only way for the Spartans to win is to beat the Wahine in serve receive. San Jose State will need to pass exceptionally well and have a phenomenal night at the serving line.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
