Old-timers take their swings at 'Bows
By Cindy Luis
Star-BulletinSome are old, some are new. Some are borrowing things, such as knee pads. Some are walking away from this week's practices black and blue.
It's a marriage of sorts for University of Hawaii men's volleyball, the joining of dozens of players from five decades for tomorrow's alumni matches.
The oldest? Manny Relator, the setter for the inaugural club team in 1958.
The newest? Recent graduates Aaron Wilton and Kai Kahele.
The event opens with Green and White alumni teams playing a two-game match at 6 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., the sixth-ranked Rainbow varsity takes on an alumni team with a roster featuring players from the last decade.
"It's going to be a very new experience, being on this side of the net," said Wilton, ranked seventh on Hawaii's career kill list. "It should be a lot of fun. It's a chance for the fans to see how much we've aged in a year.
"I know most of the (current) guys. They've got a big team. I expect to get blocked more than a couple of times. I'd give anything to be a freshman again on this (varsity) team."
Volleyball has changed dramatically since Relator set for Hawaii. The current Rainbow front line averages 6-feet-7; Realtor said his team "tried to block when it could."
"Back then, you played all the way around, there were a lot more rallies," he said. "I'm looking forward to getting out there and playing in the new arena."
When Relator played, Klum Gym was the new arena. It was home for Rainbow volleyball through the middle of the 1994 Wahine season.
"Klum Gym was a different type of environment," said Jimmy Kalaukoa (1982-84). "It was the epitome of a home-court advantage with the humidity and the Bowzos (student cheering section).
"I remember my senior year, we were playing Southern Cal and either Adam Johnson or Owen McKibbin went diving into the stands. A bunch of football players were sitting with the Bowzos and they grabbed his shirt and wouldn't let him back on the court for a couple of seconds. He was pretty useless the rest of the night. But now, the fans pack it in here and 10,000 screaming fans is a huge advantage, too.
"What I like about the alumni game is getting to meet other alumni, guys you never knew were part of the program."
Guys like Relator, who was Kalaukoa's high school coach at Maryknoll. A number of alumni have gone on to coach, including Damien Hardy (1986-90), the assistant for the Hawaii Pacific women's team.
"It's fun to catch up with all the guys," said Hardy. "They get married, they have kids. It's fun to see what everyone is doing.
"We're here to play, too. I've seen them (the Rainbows) play and they're awesome. They've got a great young setter (freshman Jorge Perez). They just need to play together and get healthy."
Senior hitter Naveh Milo, the Rainbows' top passer, is expected to play sparingly. He strained a leg muscle during last week's tournament.
Chris Crabb (1966-67) is coaching the alumni team that will take on the varsity. The White coach is Bill Via (1983-86) and the Green coach is Greg Hunt (1966-70).
Alumni Games
Tomorrow Green vs. White Alumni (two games), 6 p.m.; Alumni vs. Hawaii Varsity, 7:30 p.m.
