Griffin steps out of volleyball shadows
By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer
Dominic Griffin came in from the cold, fell in love with the Big Apple, and developed into one of the best five men's volleyball players in New York University history.
Next Monday, the senior setter — the school record-holder in assists — will lead NYU into the Molten Division III Men's Invitational Volleyball Tournament — the unofficial final four for the NCAA's low-profile programs.
It has been a long journey from his family home in Manoa and from Punahou, where Griffin graduated in 1998 after an all-state senior season. He was overshadowed in club volleyball by Outrigger teammates Scott Wong and Clay Stanley, both future Team USA players, and in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu by future UH star Tony Ching and Brigham Young's Mike Wilton.
Griffin went to NYU, a Division III school, as a 5-foot-10 outside hitter, but soon realized that a position change might be in order. NYU had recruited a Fab-50 (high school All-American) outside hitter and already had the school's best-ever hitter.
"He asked coaches what he could do to start," recalled NYU coach Jose Pina. "We told him, 'we can train you as setter, and hopefully in year or two you can start.
"By the end of his first fall season he was even with our returning setter. A week or two into the regular season, he was No. 1 and never looked back."
Griffin set the NYU season record of 15.38 assists per game in 2000 and the career records of 5,090 (13.65 per game) and counting. His average this season was 13.24.
"He is one of the top five players we have had in the history of this program," Pina said. "And I can say that because I am the history of program." Pina has been at NYU as player or coach since 1984, the year after its men's volleyball program started and he has been head coach since 1994.
"What makes him," Pina says, "is that he is driven to play. He's an excellent athlete with undeniable skills; not physically overpowering, only 5-10 but an excellent jumper and he just never gives up on the balls.
"He was trained very well by Scott Rigg at Punahou."
Griffin loves New York City now — "the diversity it has to offer; new things every day," he says — but it took some adjustment.
"The first time it was under 30 degrees, we had to go get him for practice. He wasn't going to come out of his dorm," Pina said.
Griffin recalled, "I had to get my act together pretty quick."
There are still things that aren't the same as at home. "I really miss the beach," Griffin says. "The Jersey shore doesn't cut it for me.
"And while they get 10,000 for matches at UH, we may get 10, passersby who hear whistles and stop in."
But, all considered, "Division III has been a perfect level for me," Griffin says. "Having the opportunity to get a good education, to live in one of best cities in world, and play with dedicated people who don't get athletic scholarships but just want to play."
It's not for everybody, Griffin says, but "you have to go away and see if it's for you."
NYU plays defending champion Springfield (Mass.) Monday night. No. 1 seeded LaVerne (Calif.) plays Lehman College of the Bronx in the other match and the winners meet for the title Tuesday.
Other Hawai'i players in the East
Penn State
Sophomore Rhonnee Rojas (University '00) of Mililani played libero or back row in 65 of 86 games for the fifth-ranked Nittany Lions.
He's brought in to serve when they need a tough jump-serve, team spokesman Jen Armson said. "Rhonnee usually brings a spark to the floor when he comes in."
Penn State finished the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Division I season 14-0 and is 22-3 overall.
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Hunter Haliniak (Roosevelt '97) was moved from setter to outside hitter for his senior season and was second on the team in kills with 3.35 per game.
"Haliniak was our best passer and best ball control guy and hitter was where we could use it most," interim coach Anthony Valbrun said yesterday. "He could play any position; it would have been a waste to keep him at setter."
Haliniak shared the team lead in attack percentage at .227 and led the team in digs with 2.19 per game.
In the final match of his collegiate career last Thursday, he had 21 kills and 13 digs.
Sophomore Shawn Donlin (Kamehameha) of Village Park played in 61 games at libero for NJIT, an NCAA Division II team that went 1-22.
Springfield (Mass.)
Junior Kyle Williamson (Damien) of Mililani is a defensive specialist for the defending Division III national champions.
"He serves really well. We score points when he's back there," coach Charlie Sullivan said. "He puts that Island stuff on the ball, a very flat jump floater."
Vassar (N.Y.)
Junior Jesse Lam (Punahou '99) of Manoa played in 79 of 84 games, averaging 3.56 kills — second on the team — and hitting .289.
Vassar went 18-4 and lost to Springfield in the semifinals of the Eastern Association Division III tournament.
Harvard (Mass.)
Freshman Will Reppun (Punahou '01) of Kaimuki fought off injuries to play in 46 of 71 games. He was second in digs with 2.02 per game and had 2.24 kills and 0.61 blocks per game for a 7-13 team.
