Posted on: Saturday, October 16, 2004
Rainbow Wahine pay visit to SMU today
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
Today in Dallas, third-ranked Hawai'i tries to extend its Western Athletic Conference winning streak to 96 against defending Eastern Division champion SMU (9-7, 3-3 WAC). Thursday, the unbeaten Rainbow Wahine (15-0, 5-0) celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Stan Sheriff Center against Rice (18-2, 7-0), this year's Beast of the East.
Next month, the WAC Tournament is at Nevada's Virginia Street Gym in Reno (Nov. 19 to 21). Hawai'i fans might not have to fly across an ocean and climb 4,500 feet into the Sierra Nevadas to watch their team.
Oceanic Cable and K5 The Home Team, which televises all the Rainbow Wahine home matches, are interested in broadcasting the Rainbows' opening round matches. Oceanic would show the tournament on OC16.
College Sports TV has a contract to show the Nov. 21 championship, but both Hawai'i stations say they are looking into the possibility of showing that as well, if they can come to an agreement with CSTV.
Oceanic is interested in having the final on OC16, which is part of its basic package. CSTV is only available here on Oceanic's digital package, which about one-third of the company's subscribers have, according to spokesman Dave Vinton.
"We are always looking for opportunities to support UH and bring viewers a high-quality event — like Rainbow Wahine volleyball in the WAC Tournament," said Vinton, a reporter/producer for OC16, who has broadcast UH volleyball in the past, and served as a linesman when he was in college.
John Fink, general manager of KHNL and its sister station K5, says he is always in touch with the WAC about postseason broadcasting possibilities. His company already has a relationship with CSTV and provides them with coverage of some Hawai'i events.
"We've talked to the WAC and certainly if CSTV is involved we'll talk to them," Fink said. "Partly it depends on the time of the games, but there is certainly enough interest in this team and the volleyball program that we'll take a look at it."
UH coach Dave Shoji hopes a deal can be struck. "No one has televised that tournament for a while and there is always a lot of interest in our team," he said. "It would be nice to have it carried to the Islands."
The tournament opens with four matches on Friday, Nov. 19. Starting times in Hawai'i are 10 a.m. (1 vs. 8), noon (4 vs. 5), 3:30 p.m. (6 vs. 3) and 5:30 p.m. (2 vs. 7), but the bracket is tentative. It is usually adjusted so Nevada plays in the final, feature match.
Semifinals are 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. the following day, with the final scheduled for 1 p.m.
A spokesperson at Nevada's box office (775-348-7225) said yesterday that ticket prices will be set Monday.
The Silver Legacy Hotel (800-687-8733), located on Virginia Street a few blocks below the gym, has a WAC Tournament rate for boosters and fans. Rooms are $49 Sunday through Thursday and $79 Friday and Saturday. The rate goes up $10 if more than two are in the room.
Today's match will be broadcast live on KKEA (1420 AM), beginning at approximately 9 a.m. Hawai'i time.
UH junior transfer Victoria Prince is averaging more than two blocks a game (2.06) and hitting over .500 (.509) in WAC matches. Those numbers would lead the country. In this week's national statistics, which cover all matches through Sunday, Prince is 30th in hitting (.386) but not among the top 30 in blocks (1.46).
Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8043.
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