HPU volleyball is team to beat

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Division II women's volleyball Pacific West Conference season began this week. Here's a rundown on each Hawai'i team.

HAWAI'I PACIFIC

Tenth-ranked Hawai'i Pacific — the defending PacWest champion — started its conference season on a good note, sweeping 24th-ranked Brigham Young-Hawai'i in La'ie on Tuesday.

Ahuna

HPU, a team picked by league coaches to win the six-team conference this season, returns three of the conference's top players in outside hitter Flavia Brakling, middle blocker Nadica Karleusa and setter Vera Oliveira.

Head coach Tita Ahuna said this season's team compares favorably in talent to her undefeated 2000 squad, but lacks a leader.

"We need somebody who takes charge," said Ahuna, who begins her ninth season. "We need to win a championship to go to a regional tournament. Our (power rating) percentage is the lowest in our region."

For starters, Ahuna can count on her talented trio of Brakling (.332 hitting pct., 4.33 kills per game), Karleusa (.283 hitting pct.) and Oliveira (12.04 assists per game).

"They're very important to our nucleus," Ahuna said. "If everyone can play around them — if we can get a couple of players to fill the gaps — we should be OK."

SEA WARRIORS QUICK FACTS

Coach: Tita Ahuna (ninth year, 168-52 overall, 7-1 this season)

Last season: 17-8 overall, 6-4 Pacific West Conference, awarded conference title after Brigham Young-Hawai'i forfeited title because it used an ineligible player

Top players: Barbara Martin (MB, so., 3.38 kpg, .479 hitting pct., 20 aces, 0.96 bpg), Vera Oliveira (S, jr., .451 hitting pct., 12.04 apg, 17 aces, 2.0 dpg, 0.75 bpg), Mahea Rawlins (DS/S, jr., 2.29 dpg), Paula Nascimento (OH, sr., .282 hitting pct.), Sandra Brunke (OH, sr., .297 hitting pct.), Nadica Karleusa (OH/MB, jr., 3.38 kpg, .283 hitting pct., 6 aces, 0.58 bpg), Flavia Brakling (OH, jr., 4.33 kpg, .332 hitting pct., 12 aces), Paula Koikopoulos (MB, jr., .442 hitting pct., 0.71 bpg).

BRIGHAM YOUNG-HAWAI'I

The 24th-ranked Seasiders lost three starters who helped the team to a 20-2 overall record last season, and are recovering from an NCAA violation that caused the team to forfeit the PacWest title.

According to head coach Wilfred Navalta, All-America junior middle blocker Chun Yi Lin (academic trouble), senior outside hitter Silvia Oliveira (NCAA eligibility issues) and senior setter Kaala Lo (church mission) are not playing.

"If we had those three players, we would have been a real solid team," said Navalta, who added Oliveira could return this season if her eligibility issues are resolved.

This season, league coaches picked the Seasiders to finish second in the PacWest. Last season, the Seasiders forfeited the conference title after Oliveira, who played in 14 matches, was ruled ineligible by the NCAA. Oliveira attended San Jose State for one day before coming to BYUH, and should have sat out last season under NCAA transfer rules.

This season, BYUH returns just two starters — preseason all-conference junior outside hitter Yu Chuan Weng and sophomore libero Federica Tonon.

"We're definitely rebuilding, but I'm pretty sure no one is feeling sorry for us," said Navalta, who has guided BYUH to 10 national titles, most recently in 2002.

The Seasiders have a young lineup in sophomore setter Lesina Funaki, freshman outside hitter Noelle Filimoeatu, junior middle blocker Lilly Tufuga, freshman middle blocker Musie Olevao, and junior outside hitters Beth Robertson and Weng.

SEASIDERS QUICK FACTS

Coach: Wilfred Navalta (20th year, 463-82 overall, 6-3 this season)

Last season: 20-2 overall, 10-0 Pacific West Conference, forfeited conference title because team used an ineligible player

Top players: Yu Chuan Weng (OH, jr., 4.81 kpg, .293 hitting pct., 8 aces, 3.0 dpg), Lesina Funaki (S/L, so.,11.81 apg, 6 aces, 2.89 dpg), Noelle Filimoeatu (OH, fr., 2.38 kpg, .233 hitting pct., 11 aces, 2.12 dpg), Beth Robertson (OH, jr., 1.91 kpg, 2.05 dpg), Lilly Tufuga (MB, jr., 3.19 kpg, .304 hitting pct., 0.89 bpg), Musie Olevao (MB/OH, fr., 1.59 kpg, 0.95 bpg), Chazel Fiso (DS, fr., 2.39 dpg), Frederica Tonon (L/OH, so., 3.29 dpg).

CHAMINADE

In addition to returning three of the conference's top players in sophomore middle blocker Patti Hardimon, senior outside hitter Kahala Kabalis and senior outside hitter Valasi Sepulona, the Silverswords have one of the league's most sought-after coaches in Glennie Adams.

Adams returns for her 11th season, a year after emerging as one of the top candidates to replace Hawai'i-Hilo's Hall of Fame coach Sharon Peterson, who retired after coaching the Vulcans for 25 seasons. The UH-Hilo job was awarded to Julie Morgan.

"I've always enjoyed being here," said Adams, who added she had no regrets about withdrawing her name for the UH-Hilo position. "I learned a lot going through the (UH-Hilo job) process. I'm a better person for it."

The Silverswords finished third in the conference last season, and were picked by league coaches to finish fourth this season.

Among Hawai'i teams, the Silverswords boast the top regional power ranking that is used to determine at-large postseason berths, according to HPU coach Tita Ahuna, who is on the regional ranking committee. Chaminade earned the favorable ranking after a 5-2 preseason.

A bulk of the credit can be traced to Sepulona (3.93 kpg), Kabalis (4.33 kpg, 3.07 digs per game) and Hardimon (.350 hitting pct.).

"Valasi and Kahala probably have the most experience as far as conference competition is concerned," Adams said. "Patti can hold her own against the very best."

SILVERSWORDS QUICK FACTS

Coach: Glennie Adams (11th year, 116-137 overall, 5-2 this season)

Last season: 10-13 overall, 4-6 Pacific West Conference, third place

Top players: Kahala Kabalis (OH, sr., 4.33 kpg, 8 aces, 3.07 dpg), Marijana Stanic (OH/MB, so., .264 hitting pct., 20 aces, 2.74 dpg, 0.48 bpg), Patti Hardimon (MB, so., 3.0 kpg, .350 hitting pct., 0.48 bpg), Amy Richelderfer (MB, sr., .056 bpg), Kalae Araujo (DS, sr., 9 aces, 2.85 dpg), Nikolina Rastovac (S, so., .282 hitting pct., 11.96 apg, 7 aces), Valasi Sepulona (OH, sr., 3.93 kpg, 8 aces, 2.30 dpg).

HAWAI'I-HILO

Head coach Julie Morgan begins her second season, and wants three veterans to take charge of the team.

"I am looking for (junior outside hitter) Cori Sutter, (senior middle) Christina Cooley and (junior setter) Leanne Kubisak to be great leaders and role models for the newcomers," Morgan said.

UH-Hilo finished fourth in the PacWest last year and was picked by league coaches to finish fifth this season.

In addition to Sutter (2.31 kpg), Cooley (2.97 kpg) and Kubisak (11.64 apg), the Vulcans are sparked by sophomore hitter Maite Ardies (2.91 kpg), senior outside hitter Shara Parker (3.94 kpg) and senior middle blocker/hitter Rose Ramsey (0.42 blocks per game).

UH-Hilo closed out last season's eight-win campaign with victories against Montana State-Billings and Chaminade. In one of their biggest wins, the host Vulcans stunned No. 14 Hawai'i Pacific, 18-30, 30-13, 30-24, 30-24, last October.

This preseason, the Vulcans went 3-6 under Morgan, a 1974 Punahou graduate.

"If the work ethic and trust is there, the winning will follow," Morgan said. "Success will mean our players do well in all phases of the program and enjoy their experience along the way."

VULCANS QUICK FACTS

Coach: Julie Morgan (second year, 11-21 overall, 3-6 this season)

Last season: 8-15 overall, 4-6 Pacific West Conference, fourth place

Top players: Maite Ardies (L, so., 2.91 kpg, 13 aces, 3.83 dpg), Shara Parker (OH, sr., 3.94 kpg, 2.56 dpg), Rose Ramsey (MB/RS, sr., 2.58 dpg, 0.42 bpg), Christina Cooley (M, sr., 2.97 kpg, 11 aces, 3.17 dpg, 0.67 bpg), Leanne Kubisak (S, jr., .304 hitting pct., 11.64 apg, 2.47 dpg), Cori Sutter (OH, jr., 2.31 kpg, 11 aces, 2.58 dpg).

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