GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
When Susy Garbelotti last played the for Sea Warriors, they won a national title.
Back in the It may take a double-take, or even a long stare -- but, yes, she really is back.
middle of things
Garbelotti is back, and
Mustangs bring local flavor
so are HPU's title hopesBy Brandon Lee
Special to the Star-BulletinAfter a year off due to personal reasons, Susy Garbelotti is once again patrolling the middle for the Hawaii Pacific volleyball team.
She may not be immediately recognizable, with her hair now cut short, well above her shoulders.
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Susy Garbelotti is Hawaii Pacific's only senior.
But when she bombs away at a set from her blocker position, powering an untouchable laser into the opponent's court, she quickly reminds everyone of the talent that two years ago made her a Division II first-team All-American and a vital cog for the Sea Warriors' undefeated 2000 national championship team.
"Changing life," is how the 6-foot, 28-year-old native of Foz Do Iguaca, Brazil, described her new look. "Last year, I didn't play. So when this year came ... I was ready for a change."
While Garbelotti's hairstyle may have changed, her game appears much the same.
In starting all 28 matches during her first campaign with HPU two years ago, Garbelotti led the Pacific West Conference in kill percentage (.430) and averaged 4.09 kills, 2.58 digs and 1.44 blocks per game. Among a slew of other honors, she was named conference newcomer of the year.
Through eight matches this season, the senior is leading the Sea Warriors with averages of 5.30 kills, 2.73 digs and 1.03 blocks per game. Though conference play doesn't begin for HPU (5-3) until tomorrow, when it hosts Western New Mexico, Garbelotti's kill average ranks second among PacWest players.
"It's great to be playing," Garbelotti said. "I was praying for this day. I was so excited to be on the court again -- to be with my team, and killing the balls, and asking for the balls."
Besides Garbelotti's teammates, HPU coach Tita Ahuna also is really pleased to have the Brazilian bomber back.
Ahuna feels that Garbelotti has not lost a step with any of her skills, but is counting on her to assume more of a leadership role this season with a very young Sea Warriors team -- something she didn't have to worry about on the veteran-laden 2000 squad.
"The girls really look up to (Garbelotti)," Ahuna said. "They strive to be like her. So she really needs to dot her i's and cross her t's and watch what she does all the time because of this.
"She's learning how to be a leader. And her play speaks for itself."
Garbelotti also feels that her game is already at the same high level it was two years ago, but admits the leadership role is something she is still getting accustomed to.
"It's not that I'm not comfortable with (being the team leader), but it's another skill that I'm going to shape," explained Garbelotti. "I never was a leader before -- not on the court. I was always looking to somebody else, and now it's my turn to be a leader."
While the year off was difficult for her to cope with, Garbelotti said it helped her gain a greater appreciation for Ahuna's role, and some of the patience necessary to work with a 12-person team that has five freshmen, three sophomores and no other seniors.
Unlike two seasons ago -- when winning the national title was expected, Garbelotti plans to guide this year's team one step at a time. She doesn't want any of the Sea Warriors thinking beyond the next match, but admits she will fight her hardest to lead the three-time defending PacWest champions back to the postseason.
Garbelotti wants the team to work together and is eager to share the spotlight. She hopes the Sea Warriors are successful -- even after she's gone.
But should HPU get into a tight spot this season, should the Sea Warriors need someone to step up and take control, there is no confusion among them as to who that will be.
"If we are in a bad situation, I'm gonna call for the ball," Garbelotti said. "I expect the ball.
"I assume the high (pressure) time. I say, 'I'm going to do this.' If I don't, it's OK; I'm a human being."
HPU Sports
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While the other powers in the Pacific West Conference reload by looking for players internationally, Western New Mexico coach Jim Callender counters by keeping an eye on their backyards. Mustangs ride into
town with local flavorBy Jerry Campany
jcampany@starbulletin.comCallender and his team are in town to play Hawaii's four Division II schools this weekend, visiting Hilo tonight and Hawaii Pacific tomorrow. He brings with him more than a winning record (8-1); he will put as many Hawaii players (two) on the floor as Brigham Young-Hawaii.
"We are always open to getting the best players we can, wherever they are from," Callender said. "Every club tournament I go to, watching teams from Hawaii like Outrigger is a priority to watch. They get to start so young and in Hawaii they all take volleyball seriously. Plus they have such good quality high school coaches."
Sophomore outside hitter Kim Tano and setter Malia Kalui have combined to help Callender turn a 16-18 team into a contender. Tano is from Kaneohe and played at St. Francis, while Kalui prepped at Kahuku.
Tano is in her second year with the program and has grown into its go-to hitter. She is sixth in kills and hitting percentage after barely breaking the top 10 last year.
Kalui is making the switch back to setter -- her original position -- after two years in the middle and is fourth in the conference in setting. While Tano only has to exceed her performance from last year, Kalui battles the ghost of Western New Mexico's first player from Hawaii, alum Nohealani Burgess. But as long as they continue to improve, Callender will be happy.
"I think they will be picking things up all season long," he said. "Like the rest of our team, they are still learning."
Callender knows that BYUH and HPU built their dynasties by getting one player from Brazil and letting word of mouth do the rest. If he is looking to his Hawaii products to help do the selling, he should not be disappointed. Neither even considered staying home to play on the local scene, wanting to see some of America.
"Everyone here is so nice and we are really close," Tano said. "Coming back is just like visiting home. I'll go home to visit, but I am going to stay with the team in the hotel."
This will be Kalui's first trip home for a volleyball game, as she just transferred to the team from Eastern Arizona mostly for the chance to play in the Cannon Center in front of her family and friends.
"(Coming home) kinda makes me excited," Kalui said. "I will eat as much as I can, as long as it's local food, stocking up until next year."
When they return to Western New Mexico to resume their season, Tano and Kalui hope to take some of the unique atmosphere with them. Kalui says that her new home fans are good, but don't bring the same enthusiasm to the gym.
"It is definitely not Hawaii," Kalui said. "We have had only one home game, and it was definitely different. We try to get everyone rowdy and excited; maybe by the end of the year we will."
