Recruits fill needs for Rainbow Wahine

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

Three volleyball recruits who verbally committed to the University of Hawai'i months ago confirmed their interest yesterday. Kanoe Kamana'o, Alicia Arnott and Kari Gregory signed letters of intent on the first day of the early signing period.

UH coach Dave Shoji said the class "fills our needs for the future."

Arnott, a 6-foot senior for La Pietra, is the sleeper of the group. She guided her team to a third-place ILH finish last season, its highest ever, and was an all-tournament pick at the Junior Olympics last summer. She plays middle in high school but Shoji hopes she can eventually be an impact player on the right or left in college.

"Her greatest asset is her work ethic the last two years," Shoji said. "She went from what we thought were marginal physical and technical skills to become one of the hardest-working high school players we've ever recruited. She's improved herself tremendously."

Kamana'o lifted Iolani to its first state championship last season and was State Player of the Year. The 5-8 setter/hitter played libero for the U.S. Junior National team the past three years.

Shoji calls her the best junior libero in the country and the best setting prospect. She will compete with UH freshman Cayley Thurlby for the setting position next season. Thurlby, two inches taller, is redshirting this season.

"In overall ability, Kanoe is like Robyn Ah Mow," Shoji says. "She has been a hitter, blocker and setter for her high school team and she obviously has great backcourt skills because she was on the junior national team.

"It will be good competition with Cayley. There will be a spot for both of them either way."

Like Arnott, Gregory is expected to break into the lineup in 2004. The 6-3 middle/hitter is an all-state volleyball and basketball player for The Meadows High School in Las Vegas and has the size and quickness to play either position in college.

UH is out of scholarships, but Shoji expects a few Hawai'i players to walk on and contribute.