New role for Hittle as Wahine get spark back

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If things had played out differently, Tara Hittle would be starting her senior year at Georgia Tech. Instead, the Colorado native went west, not east, ending up in Hawaii, where she was attracted to the culture and the support for the Rainbow Wahine volleyball program.

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After nearly a year away from the sport because of injury, the acknowledged comedian of the team is ready to resume playing and take on a new role: captain.

"I feel great about being captain," the junior outside hitter said.

"This team has so much going for them and I'm in a position where I can help, where I can push them."

Hawaii, ranked 10th, opens the season tonight against Michigan in the second match of the ASICS Rainbow Wahine Invitational. The first match pits Colorado State against Oregon State.

In a late development, Amber Kaufman was named the designated right-side hitter for tonight's game.

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"Pursue your purpose with passion."

It's written on the board in the locker room.

It's woven into the fabric that is Tara Hittle's outlook on life. Because, for the captain of the 10th-ranked Hawaii volleyball team, there is no purpose without passion and no passion without a purpose.

Molten Volleyball Poll Preseason top 10 with last year's won-loss records. 1. Nebraska 33-1 2. Stanford 30-4 3. Penn State 32-3 4. Texas 24-7 5. UCLA 33-4 6. Washington 29-5 7. USC 27-5 8. Florida 30-3 9. Minnesota 26-8 10. Hawaii 29-6

It was never more clear than when her passion -- playing volleyball -- was sidelined via a foot injury that kept her out for most of last season. It was a new experience for Hittle ... a learning one.

"It was real hard at first," said the junior, expected to start tonight at left-side hitter against Michigan. "I've never had to sit out before ... ever. That's why it was so hard. I didn't know that side of the game, what it's like to not be playing.

"But now I can relate to my teammates who are on the bench, for whatever reason. I know what they go through. But things happen for a reason."

Her strong faith and faithful rehab have her back on the court. Without her last season, the Wahine went 29-6, losing in the regional final.

Still, her teammates missed the spark, the energy, that Hittle brought.

"She has such a spirit about her that's always positive," said Sarah Mason, who played the past two years for Hawaii. "I'm not surprised that she was named captain. She's someone everyone looks up to."

Hittle's impact was immediate. She was the 2004 Freshman of the Year in the Western Athletic Conference, starting 29 of 31 matches at right-side hitter.

A severely sprained ankle slowed her during 2005, and she eventually was relegated to back-row play. Five matches into last season, the pain in her foot and her lack of mobility led to her decision to redshirt.

"It's hard to believe it's been almost a year since I last played in a game," she said. "I didn't do anything for a long time, was on crutches for two months, a cast for a month, then a boot.

"I had to move my foot constantly to keep scar tissue from forming, did all these little tedious exercises to strengthen the muscles. It takes some time to get your balance back."

And timing. Hittle was unable to elevate the way she could prior to the injury.

"I felt so rusty when I finally got back into the gym," she said. "You base your timing on the height of your jump. It was all messed up. But I feel like I'm 100 percent now. I'm so excited to be playing again."

Her coach and teammates are excited too.

"She adds so much to us," Rainbow Wahine coach Dave Shoji said. "We missed her energy. Naming her captain was an easy choice. She has the respect of the players and the coaches."

"Anyone who meets her has to be impressed," said Jessica Keefe, who also spent part of last year sidelined with an injury. "She has such a great personality, always comes up with something hilarious to say.

"But she's serious when she needs to be. There's an air of confidence about her. It was hard for us not to have her on the court."

"Tara is great for the job (of captain)," senior middle Kari Gregory said. "She brings a different type of leadership and has a lot of drive."

And a lot of expectations for this Hawaii team.

"My freshman year was the best team I've ever been on," she said of the 2004 squad that was 30-0 before losing in the regional semifinal. "This year could be just like that one. We do have big goals, expectations and dreams.

"Final four? I definitely think so. I have a lot of confidence in our team. We have a purpose. We are all pursuing our passion together."