UH back row is Smurfs' turf
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
Melissa Villaroman and Hedder Ilustre are not your average volleyball players. Around University of Hawai'i practices they are known simply as "Smurfs." Teammates tower over the 5-foot-6 duo, even when they are not flat-out on the floor.
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Fortunately for the Wahine, Villaroman and Ilustre are also not your average defensive specialists. Each plays half-time; their combined full-time statistics would put them fifth in digs in the Western Athletic Conference. They are a major reason Hawai'i hasn't been out-dug since its opening match. And the Smurfs' serve-receive efficiency puts them last on every opponent's list of targets.
Melissa Villaroman, left, and Hedder Ilustre are 5-foot-6 giants on defense for 12th-ranked Hawai'i.
"Mess (Villaroman), in the last month and a half, is just feeling it receiving serve," UH associate coach Charlie Wade says. "Even the times she gets in an awkward situation, the ball just goes right to the target every time. She's really confident and everything feels good now. She's on the target, on the target, on the target ... in the zone ... this is not difficult for me right now, bring it on."
Streak on line
The 12th-ranked Wahine (20-4) put their 17-match streak on the line tonight at Stan Sheriff Center against No. 21 UC-Santa Barbara (13-10). All the Gauchos' losses have come against ranked teams.
UH and Santa Barbara played here 11 months ago, in a regional final. They are in the midst of a setting controversy, but the Gauchos remain a clone of the only coach their program has ever had. Like Kathy Gregory, probably the greatest — and certainly the most tenacious — female beach player ever, they never let a ball drop.
| Match facts | |
| • | What: College volleyball, Hawai'i vs. UC-Santa Barbara |
| • | When/where: 7 tonight at Stan Sheriff Center |
| • | Tv/radio: K5/1420 |
| • | Tickets: Upper level seating: $9 adults, $8 seniors, $6 students. Parking is $3 |
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The Smurfs have one mission: Search and deflect the ball to setter Margaret Vakasausau, so non-Smurfs like Kim Willoughby and Maja Gustin can put it where no one can touch it.
"When you have outside hitters like we have," Wade says, "every extra chance could be another kill."
Ilustre accomplishes her mission with passion and panache, and her mouth runs as fast as her feet.
"Hedder's strength is her pursuit," Wade says. "She's really, really good at getting balls that look like they're down. And she just brings great energy. She's always talking, always positive. Having her on the floor makes people around her play better."
Both share more than their share of intuitive and acquired anticipation, and a startling combination of lower-body brawn with warp-speed acceleration. But while Ilustre thrives on great "feel" for the game, Villaroman is a technician with touch. Trained by a bunch of former Long Beach State players, every move she makes is precise.
"For me, technique is a priority," says Villaroman. "I like being in the right place. At the same time, I try to be all over the place, too.
"Me and Hedder, it's our job to pass the ball to the setter and dig every single ball we can get, and other people's too."
Villaroman, a sophomore from Carson, Calif., grew up watching the Wahine on TV. She was hooked on Hawai'i after watching the final four — and the crowd — here two years ago.
Hitters in waiting
Ilustre spent her first two years at Cal State-Northridge, one of the few schools to offer a Smurf a scholarship and let her hit. She says now that if she'd known the Wahine wanted her as a walk-on, she would probably have come here and played with her sister, Heidi.
But there are no regrets. Well, maybe one. Both dream of taking one real rip at the ball.
"I'm OK with it," Villaroman says. "But if a set comes to me, I'll try to hit the crap out of the ball."
Ilustre sees the perfect set in her sleep. "God yes, all the time," she admits. "If we're winning by 15 some night, I might ask for it."
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QUICK SETS: Junior Danielle Bauer leads Santa Barbara, and is fourth in the Big West, at more than 4 1/2 kills a game. The all-conference middle blocker has a dozen double-doubles and has led the team in kills in all but five matches. ... The Gauchos lost to top-ranked, unbeaten Long Beach State, and 17th-ranked Pacific, in five. ... Coach Kathy Gregory is 667-287 since starting the Santa Barbara program in 1975. She is a member of the Volleyball Hall of Fame.
