UH loses Kahumoku for upcoming season
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Citing personal reasons, All-America outside hitter Lily Kahumoku has decided not to play for the University of Hawai'i Wahine volleyball team this season.
"It's a big loss," said UH coach Dave Shoji, adding that Kahumoku's decision is not based on academic, legal or medical reasons.
Kahumoku, who is a junior, has indicated she plans to return for the 2002 season, Shoji said.
According to NCAA rules, Kahumoku must earn 24 credits toward graduation this coming academic year to remain eligible for the 2002 season. Shoji said Kahumoku plans to enroll in a junior college or four-year school in Alabama, where her family has relocated.
Kahumoku could not be reached for comment. But in a statement released by UH officials yesterday, she said, "I regretfully announce that I will not return to the team this fall for personal matters, but I have every intention to finish my career (in) Hawai'i.
"My decision is based solely on personal reasons, and has nothing to do with volleyball, the university or the community. I am grateful for the opportunity to play volleyball for a tremendous coaching staff and in a great place. I plan to continue my training in hopes of returning next year stronger than ever."
The 6-foot-2 Kahumoku, who was raised in Texas but graduated from the Kamehameha Schools, was named the Western Athletic Conference's Freshman of the Year in 1999 and the league's Player of the Year in 2000, when she led the Wahine to the NCAA final four. She averaged 4.5 kills per game last year.
Shortly after the season, Kahumoku expressed an interest in taking a break. At the time, Shoji said he believed she was suffering from "burnout." Yesterday, he said neither burnout nor the pressures of being a standout player factored in Kahumoku's decision.
Several months ago, the Wahine coaching staff began crafting a contingency plan if Kahumoku decided not to return. Kahumoku, who strained ligaments in her right ankle while training with the U.S. national team this summer, was undecided on her plans.
The UH coaches gave her until yesterday to announce a decision. UH opens training camp Aug. 8.
Shoji said Kahumoku called on Sunday and announced she would go on a one-year hiatus. Shoji said Kahumoku was not fully committed to playing this year. He told the rest of the team yesterday.
By withdrawing from school, Kahumoku relinquishes her athletic scholarship. But Shoji said he does not plan to award the scholarship to another player because of the possibility that Kahumoku will enroll at UH in January.
Shoji said Maja Gustin will now earn a bigger role in the offense, and Lauren Duggins and Melody Eckmier will play more. Still, Shoji said it will not be easy to replace Kahumoku.
"She was kind of a wind-up toy: Put her in there and she'll get four kills a game," Shoji said.
Sophomore Kim Willoughby described Kahumoku as the go-to player.
"If we needed a point, we went to her," Willoughby said. "If we were down by five and needed a sideout, everybody in the gym knew the next ball was to Lily. This is a big, big loss."
Tentative Schedule
August
24-25 NACWAA State Farm Classic at Stockton, Calif. (Fridayi2 p.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.). 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. Michigan; 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.). 17at 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. SaturdayiConsolation 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
