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‘I’m so happy IT had been almost a year since the encouraging words "Nice job, Lily" had been heard in the practice gym.
to be back’
Kahumoku returns
Where and when
to Wahine in search of titleBy Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.comBut for the past month the praises have filled the air along with volleyballs. Left-side hitter Lily Kahumoku is back with the Hawaii volleyball team after taking a self-imposed break from the sport she has long excelled at.
"I'm so happy to be back," said Kahumoku, a first-team All-American and the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year as a sophomore. "In some ways, being in Florida was like being in a dream. I don't really remember the time away at all.
"It all came together right away and real fast (in practice). I feel very welcomed. It's nice when everyone is working toward a common goal. We all want to be there in the last game in December and, hopefully, win it."
Kahumoku's last appearance in a Wahine uniform was in the 2000 NCAA semifinals. Hawaii lost to eventual champion Nebraska, the first time Hawaii did not reach the title game when advancing to the final four.
With the return of the Kamehameha Schools graduate, the Wahine have two All-Americans in the lineup. Sophomore hitter Kim Willoughby is back after a three-month stint with the Wahine basketball team, giving Hawaii two lethal weapons on the left side.
Willoughby and Kahumoku anchor a potent incoming junior class that includes Maja Gustin, who will move back to her natural middle position, middle Lauren Duggins and middle/outside hitter Nohea Tano.
"Because Lily's a great athlete, it's going to add so much to our team," said Willoughby, last season's WAC Player of the Year. "Look at what we had last year and we made it to the Sweet 16 with a group of girls who just love the sport and want to play volleyball.
"She adds so much and it looks like she never missed a beat. Because of her volleyball skills it makes our team so much better. When you look at the team we have and the (front-row) rotation where there's me and Maja together, then Lily and Maja together, who are you going to go to? The opponent's going to be wondering. It feels like she's never been gone."
There have been key personnel changes and great personal growth since Kahumoku was with the team last spring. One was the departure of all-conference middle Veronica Lima, who passed on her senior year and returned home to Brazil.
The biggest may have been Margaret Vakasausau beating out Jen Carey at starting setter as the Wahine went 29-6 last season.
"We still have extraordinary players, but they are older, more talented and more experienced," Kahumoku said. "We have very strong personalities on this team, but this group has a beautiful, positive spirit.
"They have a lot of good energy. It's nice to be around people you genuinely like and who want to work as hard as you do."
Said Vakasausau: "Things have changed for a lot of us in a year. I've gotten used to dealing in present time. You have to work with what you have and not dwell on what you don't have.
"Lily is a great addition. It's what the team needed."
What the Wahine needed was another terminator to go along with All-WAC performers Willoughby and Gustin.
"With rally scoring, with every kill attempt worth a point, you need three or four players you can count on to put it away," said UH associate head coach Charlie Wade. "Lily, Kim and Maja are those type of players."
Kahumoku sprained her ankle last week and didn't play in last weekend's tournament in Las Vegas. She is more than ready to get back in front of the Wahine fans in tonight's exhibition match with defending national champion Stanford.
"It's going to be exciting to play against them," Kahumoku said. "(NCAA Player of the Year) Logan Tom is my idol. She's amazing. Words can't describe how high my esteem is for her.
"And Ogonna (Nnamani, NCAA Freshman of the Year) will be fun to play against. They're the national champions and have the No. 1 ranking going into next season. I'm sure they're going to be really, really good."
Tonight's match is only an exhibition, but Kahumoku doesn't care.
"I haven't played against someone in a different jersey for some time," she said. "It may be spring, but it does count for something. This is for pride."
Choices for Willoughby: The sophomore hitter said she has decided that she will again play basketball for the Wahine next season and will remain on a basketball scholarship.
Willoughby tried out for the U.S. national volleyball team in December. She was asked to come to the Olympic Training Center to train this spring and to be on the touring squad next month in Japan.
"But my mom is getting married May 17. I have to go home for that," she said. "What I'd like to do is try out for the national team next, play some with them, get some exposure and experience and, hopefully, after my senior year, I'll play on the Olympic team.
"The Olympics are a dream a lot of people have, but I actually have the talent to do it. I have to at least give it a shot. I feel my talent would be wasted if I don't."
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What: Exhibition women's volleyball Wahine volleyball
Who: Stanford at Hawaii
When: 7 p.m. today
Where: Stan Sheriff Center
Radio/TV: None
Tickets: Adults, $7; seniors, $6; students, $4; limited courtside seating, $20.
UH Athletics