Stage is set for Kamana'o

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

Coach Dave Shoji says he'll give setter Kanoe Kamana'o the freedom to run a wide-open offense. Advertiser library photo

Hawai'i has but 10 percent of its offense back. Its sole returning starter is also the soul of its attack, and she is so small the school fudges on her height.

Setter Kanoe Kamana'o, generously listed at 5 feet 8, was last season's AVCA National Freshman of the Year. She was the perfect complement to the 1-2 crunch of hitters Kim Willoughby, the AVCA National Player of the Year, and All-American Lily Kahumoku, and a supporting cast that did much more than keep its two superstars semi-serene.

Tomorrow, when eight freshmen descend on a practice where name tags might be a necessity, Hawai'i will officially become Kamana'o's team to conduct. Coach Dave Shoji promises to set her free from the slow-motion offense that fit last year's talent so snugly.

"Kanoe is a tremendous athlete. She's got the whole package — quickness and the ability to deal the ball," Shoji says. "She's going to have to create a lot. Just short of being ridiculous — and I think she knows what ridiculous is — she will have to take some chances. Our hitters have to be ready. They can't rule out any set at anytime."

What's scary is that Kamana'o's imagination might be the least surprising aspect of this year's team. Every other position is a mystery and only one teammate (Washington State transfer Victoria Prince) has started more Division I volleyball matches than Kamana'o.

The preseason ranking of No. 13 is low by Rainbow Wahine standards but extremely generous based on what is back. Maybe voters feel like Fresno State coach Lindy Vivas, who has seen the 'Bows win their last 90 matches against Western Athletic Conference opponents, most by the 1-2-3, or "uno-dos-adios," method.

"I think people are hoping there's going to be a difference, but I wouldn't underestimate their team," Vivas said last November. "Hawai'i always has good players, whether they are on the court or on the bench. All it means now is the kids on the bench are going to get a chance to hurt you. They may not start off at the point they leave off in December, but they'll find ways to win. It's just not going to be the same."

Not in any way, shape or form. This is a team that will take time to develop. The crucial question is how long.

Shoji believes these players have the work ethic to round off the many rough edges, but there is little time to teach. The 10-date preseason features six matches against ranked opponents and will probably dictate Hawai'i's place in the postseason.

The most immediate need is to find two terminators on the left because "hitting the ball on the outside is still the name of the game," Shoji says. Junior Susie Boogaard, sophomore Alicia Arnott and freshman Tara Hittle are the most likely suspects.

They aren't Willoughby and Kahumoku, who had the rare ability to simply go up and over the block if nothing else was open. Now, it's up to Kamana'o to isolate the hitters until they can consistently create shots.

Shoji says senior captain Melody Eckmier has earned one middle blocking position, while Prince and redshirt freshmen Juliana Sanders and Kari Gregory will probably compete for the other. Prince earned preseason all-WAC recognition based on her two Pac-10 seasons.

All are also in the running for right-side hitter, along with Teisa Fotu, who transferred from Hawai'i Pacific for her final year. Shoji believes Prince and Fotu could provide the biggest surprises this season, but until he sees his team face adversity he admits he is not sure of anything.

He has no idea what to expect of this team, particularly with 10 new faces who know they have a legitimate shot at playing, for better or worse. But based on Shoji's theory that Arizona — Hawai'i's third opponent — has the talent to win an NCAA title, he figures his team, too, could make its way through the postseason.

"There are 16 teams ranked ahead of Arizona. That's a little scary," Shoji says. "Theoretically, if people think Arizona is the 17th-best team and I think Arizona can win the national championship, I guess we can, too."

The immediate goal is to win "a majority" of the first 10 matches, then seal an NCAA Tournament slot with a seventh straight WAC Championship. It is a modest goal by Hawai'i standards. It is also realistic in a season where desire and determination might be the Rainbow Wahine's most treasured talents.

"I think we'll be good enough," Shoji says.

After 29 years, he should know what "good" is.

NOTES

USC plays Georgia Tech and Colorado State takes on Minnesota in the 10th annual Classic National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) Women's Volleyball Classic. The tournament officially opens the volleyball season Aug. 27 and 28 at Fort Collins, Colo. USC is attempting to become the first women's volleyball team to win three consecutive titles. Georgia Tech advanced to the elite eight for the first time last year, then lost to Hawai'i.

Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8043.

2004 Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Schedule

September

• 2-5—Hawaiian Airlines Volleyball Classic (2—Hawai'i vs. Eastern Washington, 7 p.m. 3—Arizona vs. Eastern Washington, 5 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. San Diego, 7 p.m. 4—San Diego vs. Arizona, 2 p.m. 5—Eastern Washington vs. San Diego, 4 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Arizona, 6 p.m.)
• 9-11—Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Volleyball Challenge (9—UCLA vs. Santa Clara, 5 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. SW Missouri State, 7 p.m. 10—Southwest Missouri State vs. UCLA, 5 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Santa Clara, 7 p.m. 11—Santa Clara vs. SW Missouri State, 5 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. UCLA, 7 p.m.)
• 17-19—Waikiki Beach Marriott Invitational (17—Hawai'i vs. California, 7 p.m. 18—Hawai'i vs. UC-Irvine, 7 p.m. 19—UC-Irvine vs. California, 3 p.m.)
• 24—Pepperdine
• 25—Pepperdine (preceded by 5 p.m. alumnae exhibition)
• 30—*at Fresno State

October

• 2—*at Nevada
• 8—*Boise State*
• 10—*UTEP, 4 p.m.
• 14—*at Louisiana Tech
• 16—*at Southern Methodist
• 21—*Rice
• 22—*Tulsa
• 27—*at San Jose State
• 29—*at Boise State

November

• 5—*Fresno State
• 12—*San Jose State
• 13—*Nevada
• 19-21—WAC Tournament (Reno, Nev.)
• 23—at Utah State
• 24—at Utah

December

• 2-5—NCAA First and Second Round (sites TBA)
• 9-12—NCAA Regionals (sites TBA)
• 16,18—NCAA Championship (Long Beach, Calif.)

*conference matches

Home matches begin at 7 p.m. at Stan Sheriff Center, unless noted