Tuitele, Wong try for U.S. volleyball
By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer
The moment of truth may come as early as tomorrow for former Hawai'i Pacific volleyball players Nia Tuitele and Kea Wong.
Vying for spots on the USA Volleyball Team, they've been working out with the training team in Colorado Springs, Colo., for the past two months, competing against three other players in their respective positions.
The first-round of cuts began this week, and Tuitele and Wong both survived — so far. Four players were already sent home; at least six others won't continue.
"It's a humbling experience, I can say that," said Tuitele, a two-time All-American and conference Player of the Year. "You get here and you're with the best of the best — Division I players. Kea and I being Division II players, we have something to prove."
And a lot to learn.
Since coming to the National Team Training Facility in February, both Wong and Tuitele have improved their skills in their positions. Wong, a 5-4 defensive specialist, had to learn new ways to pass the ball; Tuitele, a 5-8 setter, had to master jump sets and faking out.
"Through my four years at HPU, no one really taught me setting techniques," Tuitele said. "I just did everything on my own. Here, coach has all these different techniques, just different fundamentals. It's unreal. It all makes sense now. I wish I had learned this before."
They practice and train from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, with a light practice on Saturdays.
When they have any free time — if they're not training, they're sleeping — the inseparable pair heads to the movie theaters or the mall to get out of the dorm room they share.
But nothing seems to take away their homesickness.
"I really miss home," Wong said. "I call all the time. I mean, it's OK, but I think it would be better if I had family here."
They've tried to bring a bit of Hawai'i to Colorado. And their dorm room is a testament to that effort.
With beds dressed in Hawaiian print sheets and pillows, the room is filled with all things local. Lava lavas on the wall, framed photos of friends and family, and a stash of li hing mui and Hurricane Popcorn, they've tried to surround themselves with reminders of home.
And if all goes well, they might not return for a while.
"I'm just glad I came here," Tuitele said, "to be able to compete with these girls and have no regrets. I leave everything up to God."
NOTES: Hawai'i Pacific honored two scholar student-athletes last night at the school's annual awards banquet at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider hotel.
Volleyball player Andrea Wean, a senior middle blocker, and baseball player Wade Taguchi, a senior second baseman, earned top honors for their academic and athletic achievements.
With a 3.58 cumulative grade point average, Wean will earn a bachelor's degree in business administration this summer. She is the third player in school history to record 100 or more blocks in a season (109), and also holds the school record for best kill percentage with .348.
Taguchi from 'Aiea boasts a 3.61 GPA and expects to graduate with a bachelor's degree this spring. Last year he broke the school record for most RBIs in a game (7 versus Teikyo Post CT) and in a season (50 in 2001). This year he broke the school mark of 14 career home runs.
