UH Sports
Duggins provides needed boost at middle blocker
Advertiser Staff
In a preseason in which the University of Hawai'i Wahine volleyball team needs some good news, sophomore Lauren Duggins has begun to supply it.
As the Wahine conclude two-a-day practices today, Duggins has been the most pleasant of surprises. Head coach Dave Shoji said she has stepped into a middle blocker role faster and more completely than initially expected.
"I think she is a little bit of a surprise," Shoji said. "About the only thing she's missing is experience. Otherwise, she's given us a lot of what Veronica (Lima) would have."
Lima, a three-year starter and two-time all-Western Athletic Conference selection, returned to Brazil after UH's appearance in the NCAA final four in December and has chosen not to return for what would have been her senior year.
"(Duggins has) been elevating offensively and really hitting the ball sharply," Shoji said. "She's got good timing with the setters and has been solid in the backcourt.
"When we knew that Veronica wasn't coming back, we had kind of penciled in Lauren in the spring," Shoji said. "And she hasn't disappointed us at all. She (Duggins) has been a little more explosive on the attack and a solid blocker."
Meanwhile, Nohea Tano, who is expected to be the first backup in the middle and at the hitting positions, has missed two days of practice with a pulled stomach muscle.
Shoji said he hopes to ease her back to practice in time for the season opener Friday against No. 1 Nebraska.
The Wahine leave tomorrow for Stockton, Calif., site of the State Farm Classic.
2001 Wahine Volleyball
August
24-25 – NACWAA State Farm Classic at Stockton, Calif. (Friday – 2p.m. HST, HAWAI'I vs. Nebraska; 4 p.m., Pacific vs. Wisconsin. Saturday – Consolation at 2 p.m. HST, championship at approximately 4 p.m.). 31 – 14th annual Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Classic (Friday – 5 p.m., UCLA vs. Michigan; 7, HAWAI'I vs. Kansas State).
September
1-2 – Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Classic (Saturday – 5 p.m., Kansas State vs. UCLA; 7 p.m, HAWAI'I vs. Michigan. Sunday – 5 p.m., Kansas State vs. Michgan; 7, HAWAI'I vs. UCLA). 6-8 – Seventh annual Aston Imua Wahine Challenge. (Thursday – 5 p.m., USC vs. Cincinnati; 7, HAWAI'I vs. Utah State. Friday – 5 p.m., Utah State vs. Cincinnati; 7, HAWAI'I vs. USC. Saturday – 1 p.m., HAWAI'I vs. Cincinnati; 3, USC vs. Utah State). 13 – Brigham Young vs. Loyola Marymount. 14 – Loyola Marymount. 15 – Brigham Young. 21-22 – Santa Clara. 29 – *at Louisiana Tech.
October
3 – at Houston. 4 – *at Rice. 6 – *at Tulsa. 12 – *UTEP. 14 – *SMU (5 p.m.). 17 – at San Diego State. 18 – *at San Jose State. 20 – *at Fresno State. 27 – *Nevada. (Nittaidai vs. Boise State, 5 p.m.). 28 — *Boise State (5 p.m.). 30 – Nittaidai exhibition.
November
2 – *at Nevada. 3 – *at Boise State. 5 – UC-Santa Barbara. 8 – *San Jose State. 9 – *Fresno State (alumnae exhibition, 5 p.m.). 15-18 – WAC Tournament (at San Jose State). 23-24—Bankers Classic at Stockton, Calif. (Friday – 2 p.m. HST, HAWAI'I vs. USC; 4 p.m., Pacific vs. Fairfield. Saturday – Consolation at 2 p.m., championship at approximately 4 p.m.).
NCAA Championship
Nov. 29-Dec. 2—First and second rounds (site TBD). Dec. 6-9—Regionals (site TBD). Dec. 13 and 15—Final four at Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl, San Diego.
* WAC matches
All home matches at Stan Sheriff Center beginning at 7 p.m. unless noted
