Seasiders return as volleyball champions
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
In a shocking championship season, Brigham Young-Hawai'i electrified the volleyball world, going from preseason long shots to national champions.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
Dozens of fans at the Honolulu International Airport last night greeted the Seasiders, who returned with their 10th national title and their second NCAA Division II National Championship since 1999.
Members of the BYUH national championship volleyball team, from left: front row: Crystal Casebolt and Na Li; Middle row: Brittany Koelliker, Kaala Lo, Leiau Meatoga, Yu Chuan Weng, Dan Xu, Lelei Peniata and assistant coach Jay Akoi; back row: Juliana Pearson, Ashley Moeai, Mariah Goselin and Chun Yi Lin.
The Seasiders (27-2) swept Truman State (Mo.), 30-21, 30-24, 30-21, for the title in Canyon, Texas, on Saturday, and capped a surprising year that had them unranked in the preseason.
"We knew we could do it," senior Leiau Meatoga said. "We didn't care about the rankings in the beginning because it's never really correct. We didn't let it bother us."
To reach the finals, the Seasiders swept New Haven (Conn.), 30-10, 30-15, 30-18, in the quarterfinals and rallied to beat Tampa (Fla.), 27-30, 30-25, 30-26, 30-26, in the semifinals.
Named to the all-tournament team were setter Kaala Lo, middle blocker/outside hitter Ashley Moeai, outside hitter Yu Chuan Weng and middle blocker Chun Yi Lin.
"That run from nothing to something is great," said Moeai, who finished with 50 kills in the final three matches. "I'll tell everybody that we just clicked on and off the court. We're a team that's truly strong in so many dimensions, not only volleyball."
Two of the happiest players last night were Taiwan freshmen Weng and Lin, who said they want to stay at BYUH until they graduate.
"This is my first time to win in America," said Weng, who tallied 34 kills in the final three matches. "I'm so happy and excited."
Added Lin: "Our team played so hard together. We got a championship and we're No. 1."
Lo said the Seasiders' strength this season was their team chemistry.
"A lot had to do with the closeness of us," Lo said. "We're a strong-bonding team on and off the court. That helped us a lot."
The Seasiders' two losses this season were five-game road battles to Hawai'i-Hilo on Oct. 4 and Western New Mexico on Oct. 22, which Lo called the season turning point.
"From then on, we knew we had to pick up our game," she said.
After the Western New Mexico loss, BYUH closed the season with a flourish, winning 10 straight matches and losing only four games during that span.
Many of the returning Seasiders liked their postseason chances next season because they return 10 of 13 players.
But Lin said a repeat championship performance won't be easy.
"I think next year it's going to be harder," said Lin, who had a team-high 51 kills in the final three matches. "We need to play harder and grow in our skills."
Head coach Wilfred Navalta stayed on the Mainland to recruit.
