New-look Wahine play basketball exhibition tomorrow
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i Wahine basketball team opens with a 1 p.m. exhibition game tomorrow against New Zealand's national team. Maybe then it will have an idea of what to expect this season. Probably, it will take much longer.
Advertiser library photo • Dec. 9, 1999
Karena Greeny and Janka Gabrielova are the only seniors. Last year's seniors took 42 points (61 percent of the team's total) a game with them.
At 6 feet 5 inches, Christen Roper was named by her teammates as the player they would least like to defend in an informal survey.
Jade Abele, Milia Macfarlane, Arijana Sijercic and Chelsea Wagner have never before worn a Hawai'i uniform. There isn't a Wahine anywhere on the WAC's preseason all-conference teams.
Even the guy who recruited them is curious about his creation. Coach Vince Goo has been pleasantly surprised at his team's work ethic, but is concerned about its confidence.
"We're young, so a few good wins early are going to help our confidence," Goo said. "If not, then we'll stay inexperienced. You gain more experience from wins. That helps boost your confidence and when you gain confidence, you gain the experience."
His players are content with their chemistry. "Everyone knows their roles and no one acts above anyone else," April Atuaia said. But, seemingly in direct contrast, they are universally anxious about this team's ability to communicate.
While they might not be able to definitively answer questions about their future yet, the Wahine are willing to hazard some guesses, since The Advertiser asked.
In a wide-ranging survey, the Wahine painted a self-portrait that captured their attention to detail.
What they know is that Gabrielova and Greeny will play integral parts in their senior seasons. Both received votes in nearly every category. They also want the ball in the hands of Atuaia as much as possible. And 6-foot-5 junior Christen Roper snores as much as she slaps away shots, which was at a WAC-record rate last season.
Here are the results of their preseason survey.
Teammate you least like to defend
Christen Roper
Alternates: Janka Gabrielova, Christa Brossman
Wahine logic: All have deep respect for perpetual motion and relentlessness, giving guards Gabrielova and Brossman points for being consistent pains in practice offensively and defensively. But it was Roper the Wahine least liked to defend, for a number of inches ... er, reasons.
"No matter how high I jump I can't touch the ball," wrote point guard Michelle Gabriel. "Unless I climb up her legs."
April Atuaia was more succinct: "No one," she wrote, "is allowed in 'Rope's' house."
Toughest defender
Brossman
Alternate: Gabrielova
Wahine logic: Straight from the pen of freshman Milia Macfarlane: "Christa is tenacious, you could say. If you want crazy, Janka would be your girl."
Teammate you would most like to have the ball in final seconds
April Atuaia
Alternate: Gabrielova
Wahine logic: When it came to clutch time, only Atuaia and Gabrielova received mention. Both proved themselves in the final seconds last season, and have no fear.
Best player per pound
Atuaia
Alternate: Karena Greeny
Wahine logic: Atuaia edged Greeny. A few Wahine declined to make a choice, citing their "team concept." Greeny herself put Atuaia over the top.
"WAC Frosh of the Year," Greeny wrote. " 'Nuff said."
Most likely to lead
Greeny
Alternate: Atuaia
Wahine logic: The "10-year senior" — as Greeny describes herself — was the only Wahine with more than two votes. Greeny is congenial, vocal and impossible to ignore for the right reasons, according to teammates.
Most likely to play the role of enforcer
Natasja Allen
Alternate: Gabrielova
Wahine logic: Surprisingly Greeny, recruited as a "power point guard" by coach Vince Goo, finished low in the voting. Allen, the most imposing Wahine, narrowly beat out Gabrielova, the tiniest. Jade Abele called them "gutsy and determined" and many spoke to their ability to channel anger.
Most likely to make coach Vince Goo laugh
Jade Abele
Alternate: Gabrielova
Wahine logic: Abele has been with the program since January, yet won this offbeat selection relatively easily over Gabrielova, who "is a big-time goober," according to Greeny.
Abele's dominance was based on a series of comments questioning the Australian's lucidity. "Sometimes," Michelle Gabriel wrote, "I think she's missing something upstairs in her brain."
But Atuaia's reason for choosing Abele might make the most sense: "She and Vince share the same sense of humor."
Worst road roommate
Roper
Alternate: None
Wahine logic: "Rope" was a near unanimous choice i she even voted for herself i because of that snoring thing.
"Like there's no tomorrow," Gabriel wrote.
"Like a wildebeest," added Atuaia.
"Poor thing," Greeny wrote.
Interestingly, Julia Washington chose Roper as best roommate, and Atuaia agreed, based on "always having food in the room."
Best road roommate
Greeny
Alternate: Roper (see above)
Wahine logic: Greeny is never boring and has perfected the NCAA-accepted road trip prank in her five years with the program. Ask Gabrielova where she found her clothes last time she left her hotel room door open.
Most likely to surprise people this season
Brossman
Alternates: Milia Macfarlane, Abele, Michelle Gabriel
Wahine logic: In a testament to Hawai'i's balance, or possibly its enigmatic nature, more than half the players received mention. Roper took it a step further: "Anyone," she answered. "That's why it's a surprise."
