Wahine new No. 1 The target is officially on Hawaii's back.
in volleyball
By Grace Wen
gwen@starbulletin.comHawaii moved to No. 1 from No. 2 in the AVCA coaches poll today. The Rainbow Wahine made their ascent after then-No. 6 Stanford knocked off then No. 1 USC in a close five-game match Saturday. The fourth-ranked Cardinal will play here on Sunday, their first official appearance since 1999. Hawaii and Stanford played an exhibition last April, when the Wahine prevailed in four games.
"It's hard to say whether we're the No. 1 team in the nation or not," Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said today.
"The good thing about women's volleyball is that you have a tournament at the end so we'll find out who the No. 1 team is, unlike football, which is speculation. "It's flattering to be ranked No. 1 by the coaches but it's someone's opinion at this point."
It is the first time in two years that the Rainbow Wahine are on top of any poll. During the 2000 season, Hawaii occupied the top spot of the Volleyball Magazine poll for six weeks (Oct. 16-Nov. 13). The Rainbow Wahine last appeared at No. 1 on the coaches poll on Oct. 28, 1996. Hawaii lost to Stanford in the NCAA final that year.
UH started the season at No. 4 in the coaches preseason poll. The Wahine moved up to No. 2 in the Sept. 16 poll after the defending national champion Cardinal lost to Florida.
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