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WAC-ky World
Hana hou. Rainbow Wahine
again expected to dominate
Preseason coaches pollFirst-place votes in parenthesis.
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Hawaii (30-1, 13-0)
The lofty record in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year has only built up expectations for this season. The Rainbow Wahine return all seven starters, including All-Americans Kanoe Kamana'o and Victoria Prince. Senior hitter Susie Boogaard has moved to right-side hitter. Sophomores Kari Gregory and Juliana Sanders will again battle for that second middle spot. The depth is on the left, with returning kill leader Alicia Arnott and WAC Freshman of the Year Tara Hittle the likely starters early. Junior Sarah Mason, a transfer from Oregon, looked impressive in the spring, and explosive freshman Jamie Houston should see action early. A strong defense is anchored by All-WAC libero Ashley Watanabe, who saw her attempt at the UH single-season dig record fall short by eight after breaking her finger prior to the NCAA first-round match.
Nevada (21-10, 10-3)
The Wolf Pack took the Wahine to five twice last season only to lose. Nevada also returns all seven starters, led by All-WAC middle Salaia Salave'a and senior hitter Christine Harms, a very smart (4.0 GPA in civil engineering) hitter. Back also is junior setter Tristin Adams. Nevada will again host the WAC Tournament in chilly Virginia Street Gym, where the ball does unexpected things.
Idaho (17-13, 9-9 Big West)
The Vandals will not be intimidated by the move to the WAC, having played in the Big West against the likes of UC Santa Barbara and Long Beach State. Could be a transition year while freshman setter Kelsey James learns the offense. Junior libero Meghan Brown set the UI single-season dig record with 519 last year. Back also are senior Kati Tikker (498 kills) and junior hitter Saxony Brown (42 aces).
New Mexico State (30-3, 15-0 Sun Belt)
The Aggies rolled through the Sun Belt and coach Mike Jordan feels they'll be very competitive in the WAC. NMSU's only loss was kill leader Stevi Adams, an honorable mention All-American. There is only one senior on this year's team. Junior setter Jackie Choi led all Sun Belt setters in blocks.
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Utah State (9-18, 5-13 BW)
The Aggies, also late of the Big West, had an injury-plagued season; six players missed a combined 76 matches. Still USU threw a scare into the then-No. 1 Wahine before falling in five at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. The Aggies' leading returnee is the versatile Zuzana Cernianska, a 6-1 senior opposite/setter.
Boise State (17-12, 9-4)
The Broncos should continue to improve, coming off a season that saw more than double the wins from the previous three seasons combined. Back are five starters, including athletic junior middle Cameron Flunder.
WI Players PollBased on a survey of 16 Wahine players"Which team is going to be the toughest opponent this season?"
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San Jose State (15-13, 5-8)
Coach Craig Choate likes his preseason position, saying there are no expectations but that his team is better than No. 7. All-WAC libero Jessie Shull is back for her junior year after setting several school and WAC records (42 digs against Fresno State). Middle Jennifer Senftleben led the team in blocks as a freshman.
Fresno State (15-13, 6-7)
The Bulldogs will struggle under first-year coach Ruben Nieves, who replaced the embattled Lindy Vivas. FSU lost four players, including Tuli Peters (No. 2 in kills), who transferred to BYUH. Of the three late signees, expect junior transfer Cheryl Selenak (5-9 hitter) to help the most.
Louisiana Tech (6-21, 1-12)
Three starters are back for the young Lady Techsters, including sophomore setter Rhyann Enny. Junior hitter Ambra Hayes is the top returnee in kills, digs and aces.Wahine dominate
then ... and now
Hawaii 6, The Others 0
In WAC women's volleyball, there's Hawaii ... and then there's everybody else.It was no different when fans voted on the Internet for the conference's 15-Year All-WAC team. Twenty players, including six Rainbow Wahine, were eligible to be voted upon for the first and second teams.
The first-team score? Hawaii in a shutout, with all six players selected. Kim Willoughby (shown), a three-time AVCA All-American and three-time WAC Player of the Year, led all vote-getters.
First Team
Heather Bown, 1998-99
Nikki Hubert, 1996-98
Lily Kahumoku, 1999-2000, 2002-03
Kanoe Kamana'o, 2003
Angelica Ljungquist, 1993-96
Kim Willoughby, 2000-03Second Team
Joslynn Gallop, San Jose State, 1997-2000
Charlene Johnson, BYU, 1991-94
Tea Nieminen, BYU, 1990-92
Rebeca Pazo, Rice, 2001-04
Korie Rogers, BYU, 1996-98
Amy Steele-Gant, BYU, 1994-97
Tricia Tuley, Fresno State, 1993-96
Wahine take 5 of 12 spots
The Hawaii volleyball team picked up right where it left off with five all-conference players from 2004 repeating as preseason choices for this season.Hawaii junior All-American setter Kanoe Kamana'o (shown) was named the Preseason Player of the Year in voting by the nine Western Athletic Conference coaches, one of five Rainbow Wahine named to the 12-member team. Kamana'o, the national Freshman of the Year in 2003, was the WAC Player of the Year last season.
Also selected were Rainbow Wahine senior second-team All-American middle Victoria Prince -- last year's WAC Tournament MVP -- senior hitter Susie Boogaard, junior hitter Alicia Arnott and sophomore hitter Tara Hittle, the latter the WAC Freshman of the Year in 2004.
2005 Preseason All-WAC TeamAlicia Arnott, Jr., Hawaii
Susie Boogaard, Sr., Hawaii
Alice Borden, Jr., New Mexico State
Jackie Choi, Jr., New Mexico State
Cameron Flunder, Jr., Boise State
Zuzana Cernianska, Sr., Utah State
Tara Hittle, So., Hawaii
Kanoe Kamana'o, Jr., Hawaii
Victoria Prince, Sr., Hawaii
Salaia Salave'a, Sr., Nevada
Jessie Shull, Jr., San Jose State
Karly Sipherd, So., NevadaPlayer of Year: Kamana'o
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