Posted on: Tuesday, May 14, 2002

HIGH SCHOOLS
Iolani volleyball star to UH

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Iolani School junior Kanoe Kamana'o, The Advertiser's reigning State Girls Volleyball Player of the Year, has made a verbal commitment to play for the University of Hawai'i beginning in the 2003 season.

Kamana'o, a 5-foot-8 setter who played libero on USA Volleyball's Junior National Team last summer, said she chose UH over Long Beach State, Southern California and Arizona State, among several others. The first day she can sign a national letter of intent is Nov. 6.

"I listed all the pros and cons, and UH gives me the best package," Kamana'o said. "All those schools offered the same scholarships, but none of the others can beat this community. I'm close to my family, and I can play for the state of Hawai'i.

"That's what outweighed everything else."

Kamana'o is one of 18 players competing for spots on this summer's USA Junior National Team. The final cuts will be made during a camp at Penn State over Memorial Day weekend.

At Iolani, Kamana'o plays setter and outside hitter. She also was an All-State selection in 2000.

In the state championship match last fall against Punahou, Kamana'o finished with a match-high 14 kills and three aces, in addition to six digs and two blocks to lead the Raiders to their first title. Iolani had overcome deficits of 7-2 and 11-10, and Kamana'o served and set the final five points.

"She has great knowledge on the court and a will to win," said Iolani coach Ann Kang, a former Rainbow Wahine. "She also has a great love of the game, and that's evident to everybody who watches her play. Now the whole state will get to see that."

Kang said Kamana'o averaged "double digits" in kills per match, and she had the second-highest serving percentage on the team. But Kang added that Kamana'o's value cannot be measured strictly by numbers.

"She gave us quiet leadership," Kang said. "UH is definitely getting a very good player."

Kang said she fully expects Kamana'o to be listed on Volleyball Magazine's famed "Fab 50" list of the nation's best high school players next year.

UH also has received a verbal commitment from La Pietra junior Alecia Arnott, a 6-foot outside hitter/middle blocker.

Last season, Arnott helped La Pietra to a third-place finish in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, its best finish ever.