Rainbow Wahine will take on all challengers

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

At least one thing is vividly clear going into tonight's Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Volleyball Challenge. Hawai'i is better than almost anyone predicted, with the possible exception of the 11th-ranked Rainbow Wahine themselves.

Shoji

It was a classic surprise traced to the quiet excellence of setter Kanoe Kamana'o, the balance of her new fast-forward offense and the guts exhibited by a bunch of inexperienced players at the most crucial times.

Hawai'i beat two teams that are ranked this week in five games, despite losing both starting middle blockers to injury before the Classic was half over.

"Winning the matches was huge because it's got NCAA (Tournament) ramifications," Shoji said. "But I probably would have felt the same way about our team if we'd lost the fifth games. I liked what the team was doing for the most part. We competed hard and that was the big question mark in my mind."

And even in the games it lost, UH was stubborn enough to stay close. Shoji went to his bench to build mini-rallies, with Cayley Thurlby, Teisa Fotu and an injured Melody Eckmier providing sparks.

When the pressure was its greatest, the Rainbow Wahine were at their best. For most inexperienced teams, just the opposite happens.

"It's all about having that confidence," says assistant coach Melissa Villaroman, UH's starting libero the last three years. "They weren't thinking they don't want to make a mistake. They were thinking they want to make a good play."

The Rainbows made every good play they absolutely had to have, maturing before the astonished eyes of their Stan Sheriff Center crowd and the seven seniors that left them after last season.

"I was very, very proud of them for finishing," Villaroman said. "The other two teams ran out of gas in the fifth and we were able to stick together and put away balls and make key plays. They looked amazing."

Even opposing coaches were startled, and frustrated, because the youngest Classic team gave up the fewest freebies.

San Diego coach Jennifer Petrie described Hawai'i as surprisingly "stable considering it doesn't have a lot of tried and true playing experience." She also liked Kamana'o a lot.

"Their setter is phenomenal," Petrie said. "Some balls practically hit themselves. She puts hitters in a position where anyone can look good."

Shoji says Kamana'o was not at her best last weekend, and his hitters need to look at more options. He was happy with his passing and defense, but believes there is much room for improvement in every area, with the possible exception of the good karma the players have for one another.

Villaroman traces it to the enthusiasm and drive that has been a constant from the first day, and the relentless encouragement players give one another, even when their games go bad.

So far, the 'Bows have rallied past every obstacle. That could change this weekend, but nothing can take away what they accomplished last weekend, before a disbelieving volleyball world.

"This team has a lot of heart and it really shows in tough situations," freshman Kari Gregory said. "We might get down sometimes, but if you hung out with these girls for one day you would see how much heart they have and how much love we have for each other. That's why we're out there rallying for each other, even when we're sweating and hurting."

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