Rainbow Wahine sweep Kentucky
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
LAS VEGAS — Forced to get creative to prevent their long road trip from grinding to a halt, the second-ranked Rainbow Wahine told one another if they beat Kentucky to close their volleyball regular season last night they would win what they wanted most.
A trip to Hawai'i.
They are on their way home after a 30-26, 30-18, 30-27 sweep of the tenacious Wildcats, whose season ended 14-18. That includes three losses to third-ranked Florida, a team UH hopes to see deep in the NCAA Tournament, which opens next week.
"Florida has two great outside hitters," Kentucky coach Jona Braden said. "Obviously, Hawai'i has two incredible outsides. They're very comparable. Both are very physical, solid defensive teams, serve well. They're going to put pressure in every category. I think Hawai'i is a little heavier on the outside as far as swings, but I don't know that the gap is huge. They are two great teams."
There didn't appear to be much difference in August, when the Gators and 'Bows lost to top-ranked Southern California on opening weekend. Neither has lost since. Last night's victory gives Hawai'i (32-1) a 31-match winning streak going into the NCAA Tournament.
The postseason can't come fast enough.
On this final trip, the Rainbow Wahine swept three matches to win another WAC Championship in Reno, then took out unranked Weber State and Kentucky in the UNLV Thanksgiving Tournament.
Hawai'i would have liked more competition this weekend. It wasn't available.
"This trip was too long. Everybody's ready to go home," UH coach Dave Shoji admitted. "We're so anxious to play in the tournament. It means a lot."
The goal this week became simply to stay sharp and healthy, and not get distracted by the atmosphere surrounding the Nevada schools, and all the family and friends who came to watch. The lack of a challenge and grind of the trip made for sluggish volleyball the past two nights.
"We won them all," said co-captain Melissa Villaroman, who had 16 digs last night. "That was the most important thing. We ran into challenges with certain people and we found solutions in case it happens again."
Kim Willoughby, who battled a sore shin and illness on Thursday, finished with a match-high 18 kills, and 13 digs against Kentucky.
The match started badly when Shoji confused the numbers of senior middle blockers Lauren Duggins and Maja Gustin when he gave the lineup to the referee. It cost Hawai'i a point and left his players in an unfamiliar rotation the entire game.
"It's been a long week for the coach," Shoji said. "He got his numbers mixed up. They've only been starting for four years."
The 'Bows survived, despite 14 ties, by lofting the ball to its All-Americans at the end. Willoughby buried her final five swings, and Lily Kahumoku her last three to take UH home from 25-all.
The 'Bows' block finally made an appearance in Game 2, helping UH dominate the last half and sending Sarah Spinner — Kentucky's most prolific hitter — to the bench with a negative percentage.
The Wildcats, who fell to UNLV in five games Thursday, came back for more in the third. Hawai'i held them off with Willoughby crushing match point.
Most of the crowd of 853 left Cox Pavilion before the tournament's final match between UNLV and Weber State. Hawai'i was clearly the "home" team here this weekend, down to the "Marry Me Lauren" sign in the crowd.
Still, the home away from home atmosphere and free time spent in Reno to celebrate assistant Kari Anderson's engagement and play in the snow could not make this trip shorter.
Tomorrow, the 'Bows find out where they will be for the NCAA Championship's first round. Villaroman and Duggins both have a sense Hawai'i will have to travel again.
Shoji wouldn't commit. His team is healthy and he is happy.
"I have no feeling either way," he said. "We're just going to go where we have to go and not get too worked up about it if we have to go on the road."
QUICK SETS: UNLV defeated Weber State, 30-19 30-26, 31-29, in last night's final match. The Rebels, coached by former Olympian and UH All-American Deitre Collins, ended their season 13-17. ... The 64-team NCAA bracket will be announced at 3 p.m. HST tomorrow on ESPNews. The hosts of the first- and second-round matches will be announced. Hawai'i is one four sites pre-selected to host regionals, Dec. 12-13. ...Kim Willoughby's hitting percentage dropped 11 points, to .383, after she hit for negative numbers Thursday. ... UH leads the series with Kentucky 4-0.
Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8043.
