She's never strayed from the game. Even after retiring from college coaching in 1991, Nahaku Brown remained a fixture in local volleyball as a referee, clinician, club player and unofficial scout.

Yesterday, Brown returned to the coaching ranks when she was named the interim coach for Chaminade. The former All-American setter at Hawaii previously coached the Silverswords (1984-85) as well as at Hawaii Pacific (1986-91), where she led the Sea Warriors to the 1990 NAIA title.

“;I'm really excited to coach and teach again,”; Brown said. “;My desire has always been to return to coaching. Volleyball is ingrained in me.

“;We'll start doubles (two-a-day practices) next week. We have a nice group coming back and I'll know more when we get in the gym.”;

The 1978 Kamehameha graduate helped the Warriors to two league championships and the 1977 state title. In her four seasons at Hawaii, the Rainbow Wahine went 135-27 and won the 1979 AIAW title.

Brown was the Hawaii graduate assistant when the Wahine won the 1982 NCAA championship. She replaces Glennie Adams, who left after 15 seasons to become an associate athletic director at Kamehameha.

While Adams also held the position as assistant athletic director-senior women's administrator, Brown said she's only been hired to coach. Her contract runs through the end of the season.

Chaminade was 10-15 overall, 5-9 in PacWest play, last year. The Silverswords open Aug. 27 against Cal State East Bay in the AQUA Hotel Invitational at McCabe Gym.