RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii setters Jennifer Carey and Margaret Vakasausau haven't let competition get in the way of their friendship.
Wahine set Hawaii's most interesting battle lately hasn't involved an opponent. Instead it is what is happening on the Rainbow Wahine side of the net that is most intriguing.
for title run
Splitting time at setter,
Game day
Carey and Vakasausau give
opponents twice as much
to think aboutBy Grace Wen
gwen@starbulletin.comIs a setting controversy brewing in Manoa?
If court time is any indication, then the jury might be out for a while with senior setters Margaret Vakasausau and Jennifer Carey splitting playing time.
In Hawaii's first nine matches, the 5-foot-8 Vakasausau has started most games but been replaced by the 6-1 Carey in the front row.
It's a challenge for both setters since they're used to playing all six rotations.
"I'm just prepared for it," Carey said. "At first it is hard (coming off the bench) because it takes awhile to get a rhythm and get a feel for the game and stuff like that.
"It's a little bit easier as the season goes on because I know the only two things I have to focus on are blocking and getting the ball to the two hitters. It's a lot less complicated."
This isn't the first or last time that duties have flip-flopped.
As a freshman, Carey stepped into the lineup and held onto the starting role for two years, guiding Hawaii to a 60-4 record.
But last season, the offense (minus Lily Kahumoku) was revamped and Vakasausau took over after the third match of the year. As the starting "quarterback," Vakasausau was 28-4 last year.
Few would have expected the unusual turn that directing the offense of the No. 2 team in the nation has taken this season.
Players and coaches say there is no controversy but an unusual compromise that utilizes the talents of both players.
"It's becoming a regular substitution for us," Shoji said. "Jen has been blocking really well. Margaret plays better defense.
"The setting part is what really makes this thing work. They're both setting the ball really well. Their sets aren't so radically different. And now that we've got the lineup set, it's just going to be everybody getting used to it as time goes on."
Added Kahumoku:
"It makes it very difficult (for the opposing team) to do a scouting report. We're able to find the best of both setters. They compliment each other.
"Jen is a tremendous blocker and very intelligent and able to run the offense. Margaret has tremendous leadership. Her energy, her defensive play, her tempo is tremendous as well. It gives us the better advantage."
Shoji says he doesn't recall using such an unorthodox system before this season. The Wahine coach also hasn't ruled out using a traditional 6-2 offense (both players set from the back row) with hitters replacing both players in the front row.
While the system seems to work, it is not without flaws. In Carey's rotations, the Wahine have only two hitters, which makes running an offense more difficult.
Another flaw is that Vakasausau and Carey have noticeably different setting styles. The tempo and location of their sets forces hitters to adjust constantly in a match.
But Hawaii hitters say they're used to it since they practice with both setters. As for which setter they like better, no one is admitting that they prefer one over the other.
"You can have your preferences, but ultimately it changes," Kahumoku said. "Some days I like the high balls. Other days I like the fast balls. It depends on who's in front of me."
Vakasausau and Carey's more specialized roles have enabled the Wahine to improve in other crucial aspects of the game.
"I don't think we lose anything (with me in the front row) but instead of just being average at blocking, we become more deadly and that's a bigger weapon for us," Vakasausau said. "It's apparent that when I'm in the front row, I don't attack the ball very well, the way that she can.
"Ultimately we want to win a national championship and Jen in the front row is going to help us do that. She brings so much to the game that I could never bring. I could never bring the way she blocks."
A mutual appreciation for each other's talents has helped Vakasausau and Carey maintain a strong friendship off the court.
The two setters have never been bitter rivals and look forward to finishing together. Redshirting was not an option considered by either player.
"We have an amazing friendship," Carey said. "People probably think we should be the worst of enemies and we're the best of friends. The reason why is because we leave our competitiveness on the court.
"It should be the opposite, but we're really good about respecting the other player and keeping an open mind."
Vakasausau agrees.
"I see no bad parts to this at all because this is a team sport and we want to bring that national championship home."
BACK TO TOP |
When: Today, 7 p.m. vs. Houston; Tomorrow, 7 p.m. vs. St. Mary's Wahine Volleyball
Where: Stan Sheriff Center
TV: KFVE, Ch. 5
Radio: Live, 1420-AM
Internet: kccn1420am.comNotes: Hawaii leads the all-time series against Houston (6-0) and St. Mary's (4-0). Last year, the Rainbow Wahine defeated the Cougars in Houston. The match featured the top two hitters in the nation -- Willoughby and Jennifer Whittenberg. ... Former Wahine Beth McLachlin will call the action for both matches. ... Houston will play St. Mary's on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Tale of the tape
Vakasausau Category Carey 5-8 Height 6-1 Senior Year Senior 9.40 Assists per game 6.32 2.12 Digs per game 1.09 0 Aces 0 0.28 Kills per game 0.41 0.08 Blocks per game 0.45 25/26 Games played 22/26
Probable starters
Hawaii (8-0) Ht. KPG Aces DPG S Margaret Vakasausau (Sr.) 5-8 .28 0 2.12 MB Karin Lundqvist (Jr.) 6-3 2.00 2 1.40 MB Lauren Duggins (Jr.) 6-0 2.46 4 2.75 OH Lily Kahumoku (Jr.) 6-2 4.90 4 3.10 OH Kim Willoughby (Jr.) 6-0 6.31 22 3.65 Opp Nohea Tano (Jr.) 5-11 1.62 1 1.56 L Melissa Villaroman (Jr.) 5-6 N/A N/A 2.85 Houston (7-3) Ht. KPG Aces Digs S Donna Sellen (Sr.) 5-7 0.83 13 2.31 MB Jenny Tanneberger (Sr.) 6-0 4.66 6 1.69 MB Loure Dews (So.) 6-2 2.23 7 0.51 OH Laura Koster (So.) 6-0 3.43 13 2.37 OH Jane Anne Karasek (Sr.) 6-1 3.77 7 2.29 Opp Mirela Vasconcellos (So.) 5-8 0.37 16 3.20 L Jaci Gonzalez (Fr.) 5-4 N/A N/A 4.12
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