Vakasausau settles in as UH's setter
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
Call it an aura or an attitude, but there is the sense that University of Hawai'i setter Margaret Vakasausau provides a presence on the volleyball court that cannot be taught or bought.
Advertiser library photo • Sept. 3, 2000
She's too short (5 feet 8) and too green at her position, but she makes the Energizer bunny look like a slacker and everyone around her better.
University of Hawai'i junior Margaret Vakasausau makes up for her height (5 feet 8) and inexperience at setter with her quickness and energy on the court.
"Even though she doesn't have the height, it doesn't matter because her spirit is at a higher level," said teammate Maja Gustin. "And the other thing is, she trusts us."
In a season of radical, often unexpected change, setting was supposed to be Hawai'i's one constant. In two years with Jennifer Carey starting, the Wahine had lost but four matches. But when 12th-ranked UH (4-4) faces 20th-ranked Santa Clara (7-1) tonight and tomorrow, it won't have one player starting in the same position as last year.
Vakasausau, a junior, has started every match since willing the Wahine to their first victory three weeks ago. Coach Dave Shoji put her in with Hawai'i down two games against 19th-ranked Kansas State.
"Everybody had such long faces. It was like, we're done, it's over," Vakasausau recalled. "I cracked a joke about Dave or something. Told them to lighten up, we were going to win. There was no way we were going to lose."
By the middle of the third game, her hitters were begging for the ball and Hawai'i's first-year blockers were constructing massive roofs.
"Margaret is a very positive person, and strong as a person," Gustin said. "She's a really good leader. When she went in the game the energy on our team changed. She won't let the ball fall down and if something bad happens she won't let the team go down."
The offense has since surged into fast forward. Vakasausau's quickness has reduced the pressure on a court-full of new passers.
Then there is her mere presence.
"I know the difference is not my setting," Vakasausau said. "I'm not a spectacular setter. But my energy has always been above average, kind of crazy and the team responds well to that.
"Jen is so mature and so knowledgeable at the setting position. And she's very relaxed. That's one thing I never ever was. I'm very hyper-active. People think I need medicine. I don't. Really."
Hers is a totally different look from Carey, who would be coveted by about 300 Division I teams. Hawai'i's depth now begins and ends at setter, and Vakasausau's presence has become so pronounced, Carey is taking swings on the right side.
"They've got two really good setters and each one brings something different," said former Warrior assistant Matt Johnson, who watched Vakasausau run through his Utah State team two weeks ago. "Depending on the circumstances, they can bring in whatever they want ... throw a wrinkle at the other team. It's one more thing to prepare for."
Preparing for Vakasausau is a unique challenge. She was an all-state hitter at University High. Shoji saw a rare athleticism and audacious defensive skills, but recruited her for more for "her spirit," promising to train her at setter.
Vakasausau took the rest on herself. Her summer consisted of two hours in the weight room every morning, followed by a run with the football team, work, volleyball on the beach and in the gym, coaching one night a week, and yoga.
The result is a strong, somewhat unorthodox setter just coming into her own as far as execution, decision making and self-confidence. Vakasausau is only now, with Carey's help, getting comfortable with quick sets to the middle and right side. But she puts the left-side set, the game's most common call, where her hitters can hammer it.
Carey, in contrast, came here with constant composure and every skill but location on the left side. That quirk convinced Shoji to pull the switch against K-State.
"Jen brings a lot to the table too," Shoji said. "It's not anything we didn't have. It was more that, technically, Margaret's sets to to the left are better and we are predominately a left-side hitting team. That was the main reason. We've got to get the ball to Kim (Willoughby) in a position to get a kill."
Fortunately for UH, Carey and Vakasausau's close friendship has stood the test of playing time.
"Jen has been very supportive of Margaret because Margaret has been very supportive of Jen for two years," Shoji said. "Jen understands that so she's behind Margaret 100 percent. That doesn't mean she doesn't want to be out there."
That doesn't mean Vakasausau will make it easy for Carey to get back in the starting lineup.
"I always wanted to lead, but you can't do it from the bench," she said. "I had to find a way to get on the court.
"Dave makes out the lineup card. I might not be on it one day. That freaks me out. I want to do everything in my power to make sure I'll be in there. I don't want to leave. It took me two years to get here."
