By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Coach Dave Shoji lost five regulars from his starting lineup,
but has the experience of Therese Crawford, right, to provide
leadership and the steady hand of setter Nikki Hubbert, below,
to guide the team on the court.
Wahine insist
they’ll be tough
The NCAA finalists lost
By Cindy Luis
five starters, but there's plenty
of talent in camp
Star-BulletinDon't be surprised if you're surprised. That's the message Nikki Hubbert has for the fans of University of Hawaii women's volleyball.
"I think we're going to surprise a lot of people who have doubts in their minds," said Hubbert, a junior setter. "I'm really excited about this team and this season. We're going to be than people think."
Hawaii returns 10 players from the national runner-up team that went 35-3, but just one full-time starter in senior hitter and co-captain Therese Crawford. The other senior is co-captain and middle blocker Cia Goods, who alternated as a starter with defensive specialist Nalani Yamashita last season.
The Wahine are loaded at outside hitters with Crawford, junior Kelli Cordray, sophomore Aven Lee and Fab 50 freshmen Jameka Stevens and Jessica Sudduth on the left. Sophomore returnee Heidi Ilustre is the heir-apparent to the departed Chastity Nobriga on the right with sophomores Kapu Elkington and Leah Karrati, and Fab 50 freshman Tehani Miyashiro behind on the depth chart.
By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
The middle position has numbers, but is thin on experience. The second spot next to Goods is wide-open with sophomores Lori Garber and Jennifer Roberts vying for the position; Elkington and Sudduth are expected to play there, too.It's Hubbert's show to run but redshirt freshman Keala Nihipali and Miyashiro will play, Wahine coach Dave Shoji said. Miyashiro, daughter of former Wahine All-American Joey Akeo Miyashiro, was an outside hitter at Punahou.
"All of our setters will see time this season," said Shoji, who opens his 23rd season at Manoa. "Nikki is the front-runner and Keala is No. 2. We'll give Tehani a chance to train and develop as a setter as well as working out at other spots."
Hawaii lost five seniors who finished the last two seasons of their careers 66-4. Gone are All-Americans Robyn Ah Mow and Angelica Ljungquist, Joselyn Robins, Nobriga and Yamashita.
Hubbert ran the "second team" last season, which makes of the nucleus of this year's starters. She sees that as an advantage.
"Now we'll be playing a lot in games together, not just practice," Hubbert said. "I have my timing down with Cia, but I still need to work on it with Therese.
"We're going to be good but we are young."
Crawford will be counted on for her offense. The All-WAC selection averaged 3.80 kills a game as a junior and is eager to accept the challenge being a four-year starter brings.
"I don't feel there's pressure on me," Crawford said. "I have a responsibility on the team to be a leader on the court. I'm looking forward to being co-captain and can't wait to be in that role.
"I'm a senior, it's my fourth year starting and now it's my turn to be a leader."
Crawford's senior present is a trip back home to play Western Michigan Oct. 9. It will be the first road game of the season for Hawaii, which opens with 14 matches at the Special Events Arena.
The toughest part of the schedule comes in late October through November. The Wahine have five consecutive road matches in 10 days.
The rematch of the national championship match is Nov. 23 at Stanford.
UH opens with a Green-White scrimmage Aug. 23. It originally was scheduled as a match with the alumnae but a new NCAA rule prohibit exhibitions before the start of the season.
The Aug. 23 schedule has an alumnae vs. alumnae match at 5 p.m. followed by the intrasquad scrimmage at 7 p.m.
"We're just shaking out the cobwebs," Shoji said. "The freshmen are very talented. They'll make their presence known soon."
Angelica Ljungquist and Robyn Ah Mow couldn't stay away from the opening of University of Hawaii women's volleyball practice. Ljungquist headed to Brazil;
Ah Mow to rejoin national teamThe two All-Americans were back in the arena yesterday, helping with practice and working out.
Ah Mow is recuperating from wrist surgery that will sideline her for at least another week. She will miss the World University Games in Germany this month but has been asked to rejoin the national team by January, if not sooner.
Ljungquist, who was playing on the Pro Beach 4s Tour, has left her team to sign with Daybit of the Brazilian Pro League.
"I was supposed to go to Brazil Sunday but my visa got held up," said Ljungquist, the NCAA Player of the Year last season. "That was good for me because I can stay here for a week and work on getting my timing back on the court.
"I enjoyed the beach but I'm glad to be back indoors. That is my passion."
Ljungquist did not want to elaborate on her contract other than to say it was a good one.
With perks, bonuses and airline tickets for her parents to fly from Sweden to see her play, Ljungquist's contract is estimated to be worth nearly $100,000.
"I had several options but most of the teams wanted me for an opposite hitter," Ljungquist said. "Brazil wanted me as a middle. It's a very good team that I'm going to. They have three players from their national team and the coach is considered one of the best in the world. He was the men's Olympic coach for Brazil when they won the gold medal in 1992."
1997 Rainbow Wahine volleyball schedule
