Rotating setters works fine for UH

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

And the winner in the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine volleyball setting sweepstakes is ... Jennifer Casey ... and Margaret Vakasausau.

Hawai'i setters Jennifer Carey, left, and Margaret Vakasausau share the setting duties for the Rainbows. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Both are all-WAC setters, so they know it is better to give than to receive. As seniors, they have also learned about sharing.

Dave Shoji has taken to subbing in Carey, five inches taller at 6 foot 1, for Vakasausau in every front-row rotation. The unique system — Shoji doesn't remember seeing this strategy in his 28 years of coaching — will probably be with the 'Bows the rest of the year.

Teams have won with a "6-2" system utilizing setters who hit in the front row. That includes Hawai'i's NCAA championship teams of 1982 and '83 with Joyce Ka'apuni and Kris Pulaski. Shoji does not rule that out this season. But no team has created what Shoji calls "the complete setter" by morphing two players into one position. For now, that's what the 'Bows will use.

No one doubts that Carey and Vakasausau would both prefer to play full-time. But apparently no Rainbow doubts this strategy, either, including those most involved.

Tuesday's exhibition against Samorodok of Russia provided the most compelling look at the morph-setter system. Carey anchored a rejuvenated Rainbow block, dropping in on seven stuffs. In the most relevant example of Vakasausau's defensive brilliance, she salvaged the first game with a full-out dive going the opposite way and fisting the ball up.

Change began last year

She won the setting position last year when her dramatic improvement — she was a hitter at University Lab School — collided with Carey's struggles to locate high, outside sets. Carey finished the year on the right side, hitting for the first time in her volleyball career and fortifying the block.

This season, she found her way back to the floor with improved location on high sets, her imposing block and ability to transform passes tight to the net into points. She admits the new system has simplified her volleyball life.

"I don't have to worry about the back row and playing defense and getting in to set," Carey says. "I only worry about blocking and setting. Margaret only has to worry about defense and setting. It lessens the responsibility we have on-court."

They have enough responsibilities as seniors, along with Hedder Ilustre. This year's graduating class plays a huge part in the team's personality. Carey's leadership style is nurturing while Vakasausau, the team captain, is more likely to get in someone's face.

Technically, Vakasausau is more comfortable with the offense in hyper-drive. Carey, whose best set is quick, is still more comfortable with a slower attack. Hitters insist adjusting to their quirks is simpler than it sounds. Karin Lundqvist even suggests it only hurts opponents, who don't see the differences daily.

Team sees benefits

"It's very easy for us," says All-American Kim Willoughby, "because you know when you see Jen Carey setting you just wait a lot longer for the set to come down.

"We're letting them do what they do best. Jen is a great blocker and Margaret is a great defender so it doesn't get any better than this."

Carey and Vakasausau might not truly believe that, but they are clearly doing their best to make it work. Remarkably, their close friendship has never suffered.

"It is one of the most amazing relationships, I think," Carey says. "People look at us and probably think we're the worst of enemies when, in contrast, we're best friends. I'm glad it's that way. I think it would be a lot more difficult for both of us if we took things off the court and didn't let our competitiveness on the court go.

"On the floor, we go after each other. When we walk out that door, it's ha-ha good times. That helps our team and both of us. We're not rivals. We're just teammates who happen to play the same position. We both bring different things to the floor and it works."