Carey starts at right-side hitter
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
Coach Dave Shoji said junior Jennifer Carey, an all-conference setter her first two seasons, will get her first start on the right side tonight.
Carey and senior Tanja Nikolic have been sharing the position the last month. Shoji felt he needed a full-time starter this late in the season.
"We wanted to give Jen the opportunity to see if she could contribute at the start of a match," Shoji said. "We'll see how it works."
Shoji was surprised at Carey's "live arm" when he put her outside after Margaret Vakasausau took over at setter. He said Carey's hitting is now "close enough" to Nikolic's to make the switch. He considers Carey a better blocker. She also affords the Wahine the option of subbing Vakasausau — a small blocker — out in the front row.
Wahine No. 2 in region
Hawai'i vaulted over Colorado State to No. 2 in the final NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Committee regional ratings. Unbeaten Long Beach State is No. 1. CSU is followed by Pacific, Utah, Brigham Young, UC-Santa Barbara, San Jose State, Utah State and Nevada.
The committee's seedings of the country's eight regions are used to fill the 64-team NCAA Tournament. That will be announced Monday, Nov. 26 — a day later than usual.
The later date further diminishes the Wahine hopes of hosting first- and second-round matches. UH bid to host Nov. 30-Dec. 1, meaning the NCAA would need to fly three teams to Hawai'i on three-day notice.
Late last month, the NCAA sent all schools new "Suggested Policies for Fall Championships 2001." The policies are designed to limit travel, and will probably deny the Wahine the opportunity to play again at home, no matter what their seed.
"We're prepared to go on the road," UH coach Dave Shoji said. "If they see fit to keep us home, we'll be happy. But it doesn't look good.
"The players aren't worried about it. Players play and coaches worry. It's not going to faze them."
Let the games begin
First-round matches today open with the Hawai'i (No. 1 seed)-Tulsa (8) match at 11 a.m. HST. It is followed by Rice (4) and Fresno State (5) at 1 p.m.
In the evening, San Jose State (3) plays Southern Methodist (6) at 4:30 p.m. and Nevada (2) takes on Texas-El Paso (7) at 6:30. SMU beat the Spartans this season.
In last night's play-in matches, Tulsa defeated Boise State in five games and Texas-El Paso swept pass Louisiana Tech.
Tomorrow's semifinals are at 3 p.m. and 5, with the Wahine scheduled to play the early match against the Rice-Fresno winner if they advance. Sunday's championship begins at 11 a.m.
KCCN (1420 AM) plans to broadcast today's match live. If Hawai'i wins, it will have reports during tomorrow's football game. It plans to broadcast the championship live if the Wahine are in it.
