Campbell leaves SMU
to return home and
play for UH

The Punahou alumna was a first-team
All-WAC selection for the Mustangs
as a sophomore

Adria Campbell has decided to come home and finish her collegiate soccer career with the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine.

A 2004 All-Western Athletic Conference first-team member as a midfielder her sophomore season at Southern Methodist, Campbell made the decision at Christmas time.

A walk-on at SMU, Campbell was told by Mustangs coach John Cossaboon that she would not be on scholarship her first two years, but would her last two years.

"I didn't tell a lot of people. I wasn't completely sure," Campbell said.

"After I accepted a full ride at UH, my coach at SMU offered me a full ride the second semester, but I had already made my decision."

She also considered Hawaii, Oregon and UC Irvine after graduating from Punahou in 2003, but was sold on SMU after making a recruiting trip to the Dallas campus.

Although she enjoyed her teammates and the college experience at SMU, Campbell wanted a change.

"Part of it was the environment of Texas. I was a little tired of that. Two years was enough," said Campbell. "I don't regret a minute of it. It was probably the best experience of my life, so far."

Campbell was the Star-Bulletin's state Player of the Year and the Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year in 2003. She led the Interscholastic League of Honolulu in scoring for three consecutive years. A striker in high school, she also played as an attacking midfielder in the middle or right for the Mustangs.

Campbell started 16 of 21 matches for SMU as a freshman. She scored five goals and finished second on the team with eight assists.

She played in 21 matches for the WAC champions last fall, scoring eight goals, going 2-for-2 on penalty kicks and had one assist.

Campbell put 27 of 51 shots on goal in two years at SMU.

She has her release from SMU and UH coach Pinsoom Tenzing says the paperwork necessary for Campbell's transfer is complete.

"I don't have to redshirt because SMU is changing conferences. I got lucky with that," said Campbell.

"I've spoken with Pinsoom and discussed tactics. I think being an attacking midfielder will continue to be my role at UH. I'm just going to do my best," said Campbell, who works out informally and lifts weights with other Wahine players in the morning.

A finance major with a minor in Chinese at SMU, Campbell will continue in those disciplines at UH.

Tenzing was also pleased with UH's spring practice.

"The players are sold on how we want to play. We have changed the system and worked with every position in great detail. We will continue that starting with the defense in the fall," Tenzing said.

Senior striker Natasha Kai, who suffered a torn ligament in her right shoulder against Tulsa in the first round of the WAC tournament, had surgery and is expected to be cleared to play by the time fall practice begins in August.