UH faces final test before NCAAs

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

STOCKTON, Calif. — Thanksgiving in Northern California is spontaneous and unpredictable. The ninth-ranked University of Hawai'i Wahine arrived here yesterday to find people celebrating the holiday in typically diverse ways.

In one morning drive, they could see 14-foot waves in Santa Cruz, a dreary drizzle in San Francisco and the first big Sierra snow of the season.

But the Wahine (26-4) are here on a 23-match winning streak and a volleyball mission. They play 13th-ranked Utah (22-5), which has won its last 10, tonight in the first round of the Bankers Classic at University of the Pacific.

The showdown between former conference sisters, now champions of the Western Athletic and Mountain West conferences, is a prelude to the postseason, which begins next week. Fairfield and 15th-ranked UOP are also in the Bankers Classic at Spanos Center.

So instead of surfing, shopping or skiing, the Wahine celebrated Thanksgiving practicing. Their holiday meal was put together at a hotel by Lauren Duggins' family, who came up from Southern California.

Hawai'i contemplated Utah, which has single-handedly kept 10th-ranked Colorado State from being unbeaten this season. It focused on the Utes' huge block, anchored by MWC Tournament MVP Kim Turner and former Wahine Adrianne Bradley-Drake. It recalled a team it last saw — and swept — 51 weeks ago, in the NCAA's second round.

And then the Wahine gave thanks, for all they have, and all they have so surprisingly accomplished this season. It started on the brink of disaster and has blossomed to the brink of something very special. It has taken three dramatic lineup changes, an over-the-top performance by Kim Willoughby and an ideal supporting cast, but Hawai'i has hammered its way back into national contention.

"Certainly there was a time early in the season where if we didn't give them hope they probably were not going to have much against really good teams," coach Dave Shoji admits. "We never let them think anything different. It was a combination of the staff letting them believe they could be a good team and them buying into it."

Here, in their words, is what the Wahine and Shoji are most thankful for about this team:

	Jennifer Carey That we all get along. No cliques on the team! How supportive the team is of each other.
	Lauren Duggins For all the people on the team and our individual friendships what we make off the court.
	Melody Eckmier For how we are all really close. Our team chemistry is why we are successful.
	Maja Gustin For such positive spirit and clean energy. I've never had that on a team before. It brings you up because it's so clean and honest. Also, for the support.
	Hedder Ilustre For the friendships. That helps us play well on the court. Also, a good combination of coaches.
	Tanja Nikolic For the friendship from the team the past three years and that the team has the best fans in the world.
	Nohea Tano For diverse team (cultures) and learning how to swear in different languages, not detectable by coaches (ha, ha, ha!).
	Margaret Vakasausau For a team that plays with one heart and a team that competes hard at all times. And for the coaches and staff for developing us and believing in us when we didn't believe in ourselves. For family, friends and the fans. Gobble, gobble!
	Melissa Villaroman For the friendships on the team, the relationships that we have. The most important thing is being able to get along with each other.
	Kim Willoughby For our team being competitive and going hard all the time. Plus, being positive when we're not doing well. I'm thankful because not only is the team "into it," but our friends, family and fans are into it as well and that keeps us going. Go 'Bows!
	Dave Shoji Its resolve. After losing four matches the first three weeks it just didn't look good, but they didn't ever want to hear that they weren't going to be a good team. People said that and I'm sure more people thought that, but from very early on they thought they would be a very good team, which they have ended up being. They never felt sorry for themselves.