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WAHINE VOLLEYBALL

UH’s Brandt brings ‘A’ game off the bench

STORY SUMMARY | READ THE FULL STORY

It often has been speculated that Hawaii's second team could be very competitive in Western Athletic Conference volleyball play. The Rainbow Wahine's quality of depth proved just that at San Jose State on Sept. 29.

With starting sophomore setter Dani Mafua ailing, junior Stephanie Brandt ran the entire show for the first time this season. There was no dropoff as Hawaii -- with a starting lineup that had three other changes -- hit .317 in a 25-17, 25-20, 25-20 sweep of the Spartans.

It was a new role for Brandt ... at least this year. In 2007, she was the starter and an All-WAC selection; in 2006 she was the starter for UC Santa Barbara and an all-Big West pick.

Brandt says that being a reserve has taken a little adjustment, whether it means being the backup setter or seeing the court only as a defensive/serving specialist.

"No one wants to be on the bench," Brandt said. "But you respect the coach's decision, take your role and do your best to be ready to go in.


"It is tough definitely, going in to set when I'm not in a rhythm, going in when things aren't going so well and there's expectations to change it around. But it's something you have to handle."

Brandt hopes to see some playing time in tonight's WAC match against San Jose State at the Stan Sheriff Center.

— Cindy Luis



FULL STORY >>

By Cindy Luis

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Oct 24, 2008

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"Take pride in the B side."

WAHINE VOLLEYBALL
San Jose State (9-11, 4-5 WAC) at No. 9 Hawaii (15-3, 8-1), 7 p.m. tomorrow, KFVE, Ch. 5; KKEA, 1420-AM

That's the mantra for Hawaii's "second" team during this season's practices. The leader is junior setter Stephanie Brandt, who runs the Rainbow Wahine offense on the non-starting side of the court.

"We make sure we have fun out there, but at the same time, we hold the other side accountable," Brandt said.

On Sept. 29, the "other side" wasn't composed of her teammates. It was Western Athletic Conference opponent San Jose State and, with sophomore Dani Mafua ailing, Brandt was back in the spot she held for most of last season: starting setter.

Brandt had the Wahine hitting .317, hitting 1.000 herself (3-for-3), with 10 digs and an ace. Her favorite statistic? The 5-foot-9 Brandt was in on three of the team's five blocks.

"That was fun, being back in the front row for the first time in a long time," she said. "And it was fun getting to play a whole game."

But losing her starting position hasn't been so pleasant. Brandt has been used to playing ... a lot ... and being very successful.

She was the MVP for all four seasons at University High in Irvine, Calif., and the team captain for three. Brandt was all-state as a senior en route to being named the county Female Athlete of the Year.

She committed early to UC Santa Barbara. In her one season with the Gauchos, Brandt led the Big West in assists and aces, and was named to the conference's all-freshman team.

Transferring to Hawaii last year, she became the Wahine's starting setter the second match of the season. Brandt was named second-team All-WAC and a member of the WAC all-tournament team.

But after hard-fought battles through spring and fall camp, Mafua emerged as the starter. Brandt has been relegated to defensive/serving specialist and reserve setter.

"We had to decide on one setter and we went with Dani," Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said. "They're different in their deliveries and Mafua gives us what we needed, a faster attack.

"Brandt continues to give us life every time she goes in, whether to serve, play defense or set. Something good usually happens when she's out there."

It doesn't go unnoticed by her teammates.

"Stephanie brings a lot of fire, is always throwing herself all over the court," Wahine senior reserve hitter Jessica Keefe said. "Her effort is phenomenal and she's such a great leader.

"It has to be a difficult position for her, but she's done a good job at accepting her role."

The lemons could have turned into sour lemonade, but Brandt has sweetened the situation by staying positive.

"No one wants to be on the bench," she said. "But you respect that coach's decision, take your role and be ready to go in.

"It was hard to deal with at first. But playing is still fun and I love playing defense. I don't mind being a back-row sub. I love the challenge of not letting anything hit the floor. I try to see if I can keep every single ball up."

There has been no thought of transferring again, where she'd only have one year of eligibility. Brandt enjoys being part of the Wahine tradition.

"I will never get used to the fans, though," she said. "It's so amazing, the respect from the community, the sense of community that's here."

The role reversal has been a symbiotic relationship for Brandt and Mafua with mutual benefits: Each has made the other better.

"We support each other," Mafua said. "By watching her, it makes me want to do what she does.

"I like how aggressive she is, how mentally tough. She's a big asset. Her setting (at San Jose State) says a lot about the depth we have. Other people can fill in when others are out, can do just as well or even better."

There's a lot of pride on that "B" side. Brandt makes sure of it.

"Take pride in the B side."

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Stephanie Brandt says going from starter to reserve has taken some adjustment, but she is always ready to go when called.

WAHINE VOLLEYBALL
San Jose State (9-11, 4-5 WAC) at No. 9 Hawaii (15-3, 8-1), 7 p.m. tomorrow, KFVE, Ch. 5; KKEA, 1420-AM
That's the mantra for Hawaii's "second" team during this season's practices. The leader is junior setter Stephanie Brandt, who runs the Rainbow Wahine offense on the non-starting side of the court.

"We make sure we have fun out there, but at the same time, we hold the other side accountable," Brandt said.

On Sept. 29, the "other side" wasn't composed of her teammates. It was Western Athletic Conference opponent San Jose State and, with sophomore Dani Mafua ailing, Brandt was back in the spot she held for most of last season: starting setter.

Brandt had the Wahine hitting .317, hitting 1.000 herself (3-for-3), with 10 digs and an ace. Her favorite statistic? The 5-foot-9 Brandt was in on three of the team's five blocks.

"That was fun, being back in the front row for the first time in a long time," she said. "And it was fun getting to play a whole game."

But losing her starting position hasn't been so pleasant. Brandt has been used to playing ... a lot ... and being very successful.

She was the MVP for all four seasons at University High in Irvine, Calif., and the team captain for three. Brandt was all-state as a senior en route to being named the county Female Athlete of the Year.

She committed early to UC Santa Barbara. In her one season with the Gauchos, Brandt led the Big West in assists and aces, and was named to the conference's all-freshman team.

Transferring to Hawaii last year, she became the Wahine's starting setter the second match of the season. Brandt was named second-team All-WAC and a member of the WAC all-tournament team.

But after hard-fought battles through spring and fall camp, Mafua emerged as the starter. Brandt has been relegated to defensive/serving specialist and reserve setter.

"We had to decide on one setter and we went with Dani," Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said. "They're different in their deliveries and Mafua gives us what we needed, a faster attack.

"Brandt continues to give us life every time she goes in, whether to serve, play defense or set. Something good usually happens when she's out there."

It doesn't go unnoticed by her teammates.

"Stephanie brings a lot of fire, is always throwing herself all over the court," Wahine senior reserve hitter Jessica Keefe said. "Her effort is phenomenal and she's such a great leader.

"It has to be a difficult position for her, but she's done a good job at accepting her role."

The lemons could have turned into sour lemonade, but Brandt has sweetened the situation by staying positive.

"No one wants to be on the bench," she said. "But you respect that coach's decision, take your role and be ready to go in.

"It was hard to deal with at first. But playing is still fun and I love playing defense. I don't mind being a back-row sub. I love the challenge of not letting anything hit the floor. I try to see if I can keep every single ball up."

There has been no thought of transferring again, where she'd only have one year of eligibility. Brandt enjoys being part of the Wahine tradition.

"I will never get used to the fans, though," she said. "It's so amazing, the respect from the community, the sense of community that's here."

The role reversal has been a symbiotic relationship for Brandt and Mafua with mutual benefits: Each has made the other better.

"We support each other," Mafua said. "By watching her, it makes me want to do what she does.

"I like how aggressive she is, how mentally tough. She's a big asset. Her setting (at San Jose State) says a lot about the depth we have. Other people can fill in when others are out, can do just as well or even better."

There's a lot of pride on that "B" side. Brandt makes sure of it.

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