Rainbows not imposing, but they're 30-0

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Volleyball is a "no backs" game, particularly at this point in the season. If you beat a team, as Hawai'i has all 30 times out this year, it can't come back for more.

But nearly every opponent the Rainbow Wahine have vanquished this season has wanted another shot at them. Third-seeded Hawai'i has overwhelmed almost no one as it skates into next week's NCAA regional on the heels of a subregional championship in sub-freezing Colorado.

There are simple explanations, such as UH coach Dave Shoji's belief that "nobody feels like they got beat up by us."

"All year a lot of teams thought they could win against us," Shoji added. "They didn't, but they didn't feel like they got overpowered by us. We're just not blowing people away. Against Purdue (Friday), in the third game there was a little separation, but the first two could have gone either way. We find a way to win. It's not just pure talent."

Setter Kanoe Kamana'o's explanation comes from the inside out.

"Everybody thinks they can get us the second time," Kamana'o says. "They don't understand that everybody's on the same page. They don't understand that our whole team is amazing, even our bench players. During the game they are giving us input and cheering. That really helps us. What it is is, we play as a team very, very well. It's not just six players on the court. It's the players on the side and the coaches. We're all together in this."

Purdue was only the latest opponent to wonder what might have been "if we had played like we did Thursday" or "if we hadn't underestimated No. 2 (Susie Boogaard)" or "if we just could have held that first-, second-, third-game lead."

The "ifs" have been infinite.

The "ands" and "buts" belong to the unbeatens, however.

The Rainbow Wahine don't have the awesome physical presence of the past. There are no Kim Willoughbys, Lily Kahumokus, Heather Bowns or Angelica Ljungquists. Their most dangerous weapons — Kamana'o, Victoria Prince and Alicia Arnott — move more like acrobats than athletes.

"I think teams expected to lose to us last year," assistant coach Kari Ambrozich says. "I don't think teams expect to lose to this team."

"But" they do because when a Rainbow is struggling, as at least one has nearly every night, there has always been another playing out of her mind to make up.

"And," Hawai'i has proved it can't be intimidated. It might not look imposing, "but" it has remained remarkably focused and efficient, particularly with games on the line. That has happened despite a dearth of Division I experience.

Their "returning starters" this year consist of Kamana'o, the 2003 national Freshman of the Year, and Prince, who played for Washington State in 2001 and '02. "But" even with the bulk of the team playing significant roles for the first time, there has never been a serious meltdown.

"They are pretty oblivious to any kind of intimidation," Shoji says. "They haven't experienced it and that's been part of it. They haven't lost. They haven't come up against anything they can't handle so far."

On the contrary, the Rainbow Wahine spent most of their off time in Colorado sleeping, having snowball fights, shopping, and dancing and singing in the gym.

Shoji simply calls them "low maintenance" and gives thanks.

Ambrozich characterizes it as a "healthy, healthy environment," based on the players' "belief in each other."

Players just shrug and remain realistic — and brutally honest.

"Nothing we do is amazing," Teisa Fotu says. "We win games because everybody is doing their part. Other teams might look at us and think we're not great hitters or great players, but everybody comes up with plays to make points and win games."

It seems so simple, "but" opponents have yet to grasp the concept. "And" if they did, they might not want any part of this team again.

NOTE

Next up: Hawai'i will play 14th-seeded Wisconsin Friday, in a regional semifinal at Resch Center in Green Bay, Wis. The Rainbow Wahine flew home yesterday. Their tentative plan is to finish classes tomorrow and Tuesday before leaving on the red-eye flight that night.

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