More Warriors congratulatory letters
Team did 'awesome' job
Congratulations to the University of Hawai`i men's volleyball team. You guys did an awesome job in the match today against Pepperdine. Kimo Tuyay, you did an awesome job in distributing the sets to all your hitters and running a balanced attack. Costas Theocharidis and Dejan Miladinovic once again came through for you guys. Good job Tony, Eyal, and Delano. You guys were the unsung heroes through the whole year and you guys really showed your stuff today. And finally Vernon Podlewski you did an awesome job. You are probably the unsung hero on this year's team. You are an awesome defensive player, and without your money passes, Kimo wouldn't have been able to run the offense like he did. Vernon, you made Maui proud.
You guys have a bright future as well. With Delano, Costas, Eyal, Tony, Kimo, and other awesome reserves returning, you guys will have another awesome season. Dejan and Vernon you guys will be surely missed.
Way to go Warriors, you made Hawai`i proud. GO WARRIORS!!!
Ronald Fukushima
Kula
Now nation knows, fan says
I think it's so great that the Rainbow Warriors won the national title. They're finally getting the respect they deserve. They have been working so hard and it finally paid off. The people of Hawai'i already know how great the 'Bows are; it's about time the rest of the nation knows.
Talietha Richards
Kailua
Seattle sends congratulations to team
We just wanted to send out a big congratulations to the UH men's volleyball team. I can easily say that the fans around the country were watching, and are proud. We are in Seattle (students at Seattle University) and a large group of students from Hawai'i were all in the lobby watching the game. We were making enough noise for everyone to want to know what was going on. When we got back to our rooms, it was funny, as many of us had messages on our computers along the lines of "Yay!!! UH won!!!" and "Woohoo, The 'Bows took it!!!." It was great not only to see the men win their first title, but also to hear from friends that I haven't heard from in ages. Its funny to see how something like that can reunite old friends from high school. Well, congratulations again, 'Bows! You deserve it!
Aloha,
Pattie and Leigh
Warriors representatives of aloha
Congratulations to the 'Bows for their first NCAA championship! They have definitely shown the mainland that they have what it takes and deserve respect. I go to college in California and all my friends across the mainland and I have been keeping up with their run for the title. All Saturday we were keeping our fingers crossed and cheering for them from our different corners of the country; from Rhode Island to California. It's nice to know that we are all still so connected even though we are so far from home. Thanks to the Bows for keeping me close to home and being true representatives of the aloha spirit!
Christina Hu
Moraga, Calif.
San Diego fans celebrate
Hey, Warriors! Can you hear us cheering in San Diego, Calif.? The many family and friends of Kimo Tuyay whooped it up in joy with the victorious win of the UH men's volleyball team against Pepperdine. We feel happy and proud of the tremendous effort of all the players and most especially to Kimo who stepped up and took control. UH Warrior volleyball has a West Coast fan club in San Diego! Go 'Bows!
Anne Fiato
Spring Valley, Calif.
Warriors played 'magnificent' season
The "Men of War" go to war and come home victorious!
What a season. That's all I can say. First of all congratulations to the Warrior volleyball team on a magnificent season and all they have accomplished.
Yes, what a season, but let's not have it ruined now by losing someone who's been with the program for the past 10 years. With Coach Wilton working on a yearly contract, other schools would now more than ever be willing to offer him a better deal...
They have. And who else than the school that we all know and love: BYU. What does Coach Wilton need to do to prove his worth? In only 10 years here at the University, he has taken his team to four final four appearances and now a national title. His teams are always respectable, ranking among the top in the nation every year. And I think we are one of the few – if not only – men's volleyball program in the nation with a profitable program. And what did he get for all his efforts? Yearly contracts.
What else does this man need to do?
It would be sad to see our university lose such a great gift. On a positive note, I'm glad to see newly hired President Evan Dobelle support the team. True, we are paying him for it, but at least he's willing to give back to the university, and show support, even willing to treat the team to a dinner, and fly the teams' adopted mascot, Chief Vili, and crew over at the last minute for an appearance in the championship match.
Losing such a great coach, especially after a national championship, would be a devastating blow to a special program.
Wil Wong
Pearl City
Congratulations due to team, fans
What a thrilling ending to a wonderful season! Congratulations to the team, the coach, the support staff; but, most of all, to the fans. The Hawai'i volleyball fans are great! They are dedicated, loyal and very supportive of GOOD volleyball, no matter which side of the net it is on.
We have a wonderful team. They deserve all the aloha that will be heaped upon them. Them 'Bows did go!
Barbara Kula
Men's team deserves respect
The last time I saw UH men's volleyball was during the 1996 finals against UCLA. Needless to say, it was the same year I saw the Stanford women beat the Wahines. As a huge volleyball fan, living in a state that doesn't even acknowledge men's volleyball (high school/college), it was a victory worth waiting for.
It could only happened to a team that played with their hearts all season long, supported by the most appreciative volleyball fans in the world. I would sure hope that we've gained the utmost respect as a state that – in my mind – is the mecca of the volleyball world. "IMUA WARRIORS."
Jed Saturnino
Mountlake Terrace, Wash.
Warriors win cheers from Iowa
I would like to congratulate the University of Hawai'i men's volleyball team on their first NCAA volleyball title. I also want to personally congratulate Tony Ching on a magnificent year that he got to finish out with the national title. I am from Hawai'i and I watched the game in Iowa on ESPN2 and I was so stoked that they won, I went outside on campus with my flag saying, "We're Number One."
I was there when Tony challenged Punahou for the state championship and, yeah, I saw him weeping after the match. But nothing is greater than being best in the "nation."
To Tony, his dad Uncle Billy, little Chad and Aunty, cherish this moment. Congrats, Tony, and also to Jose Delgado, Luis Castera says congrats.
Conrad Vierra (from Damien)
Davenport, Iowa
Players worked hard for win
Congratulations, Warriors! How awesome you men brought home to UH the first men's national title from the NCAA volleyball championship. I watched as you men played/worked so hard for this title, and you all deserved much "mahalo" for a forceful and AWESOME performance from people in Hawai'i.
You guys are "shaka."
Dimetria Ventura
Wahiawa
UH, Pepperdine played 'match of their lives'
In the middle of watching the NBA playoffs, I switched to ESPN and noticed Hawai'i and Pepperdine playing the match of their lives. As a native of the islands, but now living on the mainland, it was the best volleyball game ever. It was awesome to see the Rainbow men take home their first NCAA championship. Congratulations to the team and to the coaches! You make Hawai'i proud!
Robert Coburn
Loud cheering in Kent, Wash.
Congratulations to the UH Warrior men's volleyball team. We're home celebrating my son's 25th birthday and knew of the championship game being broadcast live. We enjoyed the outstanding and awesome play by play from all of the men. When the final point was scored, there was some loud Hawaiians cheering and lot of high fives here in the Aios' home. We enjoyed it to the fullest and began spreading the word to our extended 'ohana here in Washington. Mahalo plenty to the men and coaches who made this day for Hawai'i and all who share in its aloha.
Paul Aio
Kent, Wash.
Kaua'i fan celebrates win
As a fan from afar (Kaua'i) and a UH alumni, I frequently attend UH men's (and women's) volleyball games.
You can only imagine my complete delight in learning the outcome of the recent games on the mainland!
As a subscriber to a limited amount of cable channels, and because I couldn't find anyone at home on Kaua'i to watch the games with who gets ESPN, and because I couldn't find anyone at home on O'ahu to tape it, I actually called a former neighbor now living in California to tape it and they kept me up-to-date during the games!
Mahalo nui to the members of the team and their committed coaches for providing us with such delightful entertainment and consistent displays of athletic prowess! I can think of no better way to spend a Friday or Saturday evening than watching UH volleyball (except, perhaps, UH women's soccer and I am hopeful that there will soon be a men's soccer team, too). I look forward to flying over for next year's games when UH will play as the reigning champions!
Congratulations to all for your hard work, the well deserved trophy and for making history!
Pat Hunter-Williams
Anahola, Kaua'i
Fan 'lived and died' with each serve
Congratulations to the UH men's volleyball team from a transplanted Hawaiian at heart from Arizona.
I watched all the matches on ESPN2 here in Mesa, Ariz., and lived and died with each serve. While living in Honolulu, I had season tickets to UH football and baseball, but it took volleyball to bring a championship team to Hawai'i.
Garvin Arrell
Mesa, Ariz.
Special congratulations to Wilton, staff
Congratulations to the UH Rainbow Warriors men's volleyball team!!! You made me and the whole state of Hawai'i very proud. I'd especially like to congratulate Coach Wilton and his staff for all their efforts in bringing home the men's NCAA volleyball championship. Hawai'i no ka oi!!!
Rodney Arakaki
Excited fan celebrates after four games
To Hawai'i's national champions:
You guys are truly the best in the country!! The greatest!!
I watched all four games and was barely inside my skin with excitement.
Congratulations!
Pat Cabalse
Warriors deserve a parade
In the true aloha spirit of honoring our champions of the NCAA volleyball
championship, we should acknowledge the team members for their year of determination, hard work, and indomitable spirit with a parade. This would be the people's way of showing their appreciation and recognizing their Warriors' efforts in reaching this ultimate goal.
So, booster club members, get on the bandwagon and organize one for this fantastic team!
We will be in full force to celebrate with them.
Kiyono Au
Team represented Rainbow of colors
I would like to send my congratulations to the UH men's volleyball team for winning the NCAA championship and making Hawai'i so proud. Look at our guys; they're a box of crayons, a spectrum of different colors.
(They) speak different languages, eat different foods, come from different parts of the world, some from war-torn countries, even.
But when you put them together on the court, you get a Rainbow. Ya, that's right, our UH Rainbows.
In their celebration after the match, they hugged, laughed, and cried together like brothers. It makes you wonder: what's wrong with the rest of the world? This team represents Hawai'i, especially the unprejudiced love and aloha here.
Let's not overlook this milestone as only a victory in sports, but as a lesson and reminder of what this place is all about and why Hawai'i and those who represent us are so special. No one else in the world can say the same. So once again, congratulations to the Rainbow Warriors for winning UH's first men's national championship and having a great season. They make me proud to say that, ya, das right, I'm a Rainbow fan. Thanks, guys. Go 'Bows!
Tracy Higa
Honolulu
Fan sends congratulations from Bay Area
Congratulations must go out o the might Warriors' men's volleyball team. I have been following them as much as my time permits with updates and scores from this Web site and was in awe when I read the headlines that the 'Bows won the championship.
A season of hard work and determination has paid off. I am tired of hearing the UCLAs and BYUs and the Stanfords winning national championships. Now the 'Bows can start an era of championships. Go 'Bows, and again, congratulations from San Francisco, Calif. Aloha.
Shane Sanoria
Don't let Coach Wilton get away
Congratulations to the Men of War! I was shaking the last two points of the match, then had tears when Costas put down his last kill for the NCAA volleyball title. I couldn't be happier for the team and the whole state of Hawai'i. One last item: please don't let coach Wilton leave. Sign him to a long-term contract.
James Aguinaldo
Dallas, Texas
Referee celebrates with UH
I was overjoyed to the point of tears to have witnessed University of Hawai'i men win the NCAA championship! I was the happiest for Mike Wilton, whom I have known from volleyball for nearly 20 years. He is a class act! I know the support that volleyball gets in Hawai'i from all the matches that I have refereed there.|
To have been part of the Hawai'i supporters who saw history being made will forever be etched in my memory.
Andy Smilovici, volleyball referee
Oreland, Pa.
Penn State grad sends best wishes
Congrats to the volleyball team from someone who has both lived in Hawai'i and is a Penn State alumnus! A job well done for a championship well deserved!
David Kirk
Jamison, Pa.
Sweetest season for 'volleybows'
Well deserved congratulations to the Volleybows. The Volleybows have weathered the downs, but this up is the sweetest!!!
It has been a pleasure to have been a fan and booster. Wishing you more luck for your summer endeavors. Can't wait for the new season!!!
Much aloha and mahalo for the most enjoyable season!!!
Lenora Yagi
Nebraska fan sends congratulations
Congratulations to the Warriors, the nation's number one volleyball (men's) team! We are proud of you! Aloha. Go 'Bows!
Lee Laquihon
Bellevue, Neb.
