Collins brings UNLV 'home'

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

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UH volleyball WHO: No. 2 Hawai'i (9-1), No. 25 Loyola Marymount (10-1) and UNLV (6-3) Where: Stan Sheriff Center When: Today, Loyola Marymount vs. UNLV, 7 p.m.; tomorrow, Hawai'i vs. Loyola Marymount, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Hawai'i vs. UNLV, 7 p.m. TV/Radio: KFVE (Ch. 5) and KKEA (1420AM) will broadcast both UH matches live. Tickets: Tonight—free. Tomorrow—$14 lower level, $11 adults (upper section), $8 senior citizens (upper), $6 students 4-18 (upper) and super rooters (lower) and $3 UH system students. Saturday—$12 lower level, $9 adults (upper), $8 senior citizens (upper), $5 students 4-18 (upper) and super rooters (lower), $3 UH system students (upper).

Two years ago, Collins, a three-time Rainbow Wahine All-American, assembled an all-Hawai'i coaching staff by hiring former UH men's volleyball player Matt Johnson and University High and Bradley graduate Erika Nash.

The trio returns to Hawai'i to call the shots against No. 25 Loyola Marymount tonight and No. 2 Hawai'i Saturday. Tomorrow, Hawai'i meets Loyola Marymount. All matches will be played at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"I'm always excited to come back to Hawai'i, especially to be in the arena and being around the people," said Collins, who led the Rainbow Wahine to NCAA championships in 1982 and 1983. "It's a second home to me.

"All of us like coming back," Collins continued. "We get back quite a bit, so it's not so much of a reunion as just another trip home."

Collins said she hired Johnson following a recommendation from UH women's coach Dave Shoji, and grabbed Nash with the blessing of Nash's father, Bob, who is an assistant coach with the UH men's basketball team. Johnson is responsible for running daily practices, and Nash's main responsibility is recruiting, Collins said.

"Matt brings a great understanding of the game," Collins said. "Matt and I have very similar personalities. I think we work well together.

"Erika brings an understanding of what it means to be a coach because she grew up with someone who has been a coach," Collins continued. "She really understands what she needs to do and does it very well."

The Rebels' last visit to the Stan Sheriff Center in Sept. 16, 2000 resulted in a three-game loss. Collins is 0-5 against Hawai'i since taking over the UNLV program in 1996.

Despite being opponents, Shoji and Collins call each other about once a week to talk about "everything."

"He's pretty nosy," Collins joked. "During the season, we talk about volleyball, we might talk about recruiting. He usually just calls and asks me how it's going and we just talk."

Added Shoji: "I enjoy seeing Deitre. I consider her a close friend now and a colleague."

Tomorrow, the Rainbow Wahine will open with Loyola Marymount (10-1), which is coming off a loss to Washington State.

"Marymount is off to a great start," Shoji said. "They finally got into the top 25 this week. They have always been a top program and I think (head coach Steve Stratos has) got one of his stronger teams this year."

The Lions will be led by senior outside hitter Kealani Kimball, who was a high school teammate of Hawai'i players Lily Kahumoku and Nohea Tano at Kamehameha. Kimball, who is from Moloka'i, leads the team in kills per game (4.05) and digs per game (3.38).

"She's a very solid volleyball player," Shoji said. "In fact, we offered her a scholarship and she turned us down to go to LMU."

Sophomore outside hitter Michelle Look, a 2002 Punahou graduate, averages 1.0 kills and 2.26 digs per game.

As for UNLV, senior left-side hitter Leiana Oswald has established herself as one of the team's best players, averaging 4.72 kills and 2.19 digs per game, while hitting .319.

Freshman libero Kristin Koochi, a 2003 Iolani graduate who was a teammate of Hawai'i players Kanoe Kamana'o and Raeceen Woolford, has 51 digs in 31 games.

Shoji hoped that his team would continue its strong play after its big win over No. 4 Stanford last Saturday.

"We need to get back our focus," Shoji said. "We had a nice couple of days off. We'll work hard again this week and hopefully not suffer any kind of letdown."

Notes: No. 25 Loyola Marymount will be the eighth ranked team the Rainbow Wahine have faced this season. ... Hawai'i junior middle blocker Maja Gustin is 41 kills shy of joining the school's 13-member 1,000-kill club.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458