By Cindy Luis

Very impressive win by Hawaii tonight. They looked very focuses and the power by Danielson and Cubi-Otineru wowed the VERY pro-Hawaii crowd. They said 1827 in the arena, probably 1500 or more were Wahine fans.

Cubi-Otineru is 33 kills away from 1,000. she had one hitting error in set 1 and none the rest of the night, going 8-0-11 in the final 2 sets.

Danielson just soared over the block. FSU did a really good job on Kaufman, only four kills with three errors. Shoji said it was a good win for them when Kaufman wasn’t a big factor. Ferrell really picked up her game. I think she was the only player Fresno State wasn’t focusing on too much and they got burned. she was 9-4-17 but some of those attempts were on bad sets that had no chance.

Should be a really good match tomorrow. NMSU presents some problems. They have a good block and jordan will have them ready. the key will be passing.

By Cindy Luis

Gametracker not working ..

Hawaii was down 2-0. have scored five straight, the last on an Ace by Kaufman. Ferrell has 2 kills, off to the best start in a while. TO FSU

Hawaii up 15-7 at the TTO. Cubi-Otineru playing very well.

Hawaii wins Set 1 25-15. UH hit .355 to FSU’s .100. Ferrell 4 kills, Aneli 3. the other four hitters with 2.

UH wins Set 2 25-15.

By Jason Kaneshiro

Quarterback Bryant Moniz spent most of the morning observing practice but said he’ll be back in the rotation tomorrow. Moniz hasn’t taken reps in practice since the week leading up to the New Mexico State game. Head coach Greg McMackin has said Moniz will start if healthy.
>> Slotback Jon Medeiros hasn’t had a chance to get in touch with former Kapolei teammate Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, who completed his career as Navy’s quarterback last season. Kaheaku-Enhada is still in Annapolis and is on course to graduate next month.
>> Cornerback Jeramy Bryant practiced with the first unit today. Kawika Ornellas had held down the starting job while Bryant recovered from a biceps injury. Bryant returned to action against San Jose State and was involved in two critical plays late in the win. He recovered a fumble late in regulation and knocked down a fourth-down pass in overtime.
>> Navy embarks on its cross-country journey tomorrow morning and is scheduled arrive in the early evening.

By Cindy Luis

Pretty funny. The WAC commissioner was sitting over with me when the Wahine walked into the arena. Quite a big of cheering as they walked along to their seats on the opposite baseline. Said to him … The home team is here. So much for the neutral site. He thought that was pretty funny and was impressed that about 100 Hawaii fans were in the arena an hour early for the Boise State-NMSU match.

Quite a few ex-pats in the arena. Stopping by to say aloha were the Puanas, Cindy and Cal, longtime fixture on the youth club scene who have lived here forever. And Bob McGregor, longtime radio guy, now living in Salt Lake City.

By Cindy Luis

Aggies win 25-16 then held off five set points (down 24-19) to tie it at 24 then win 26-24 in Set 2.

NMSU finishes it off 25-10. Aggies went on several runs 11-6 to 17-6, 17-7 to 21-7. Boise State pretty demoralized after dropping Set 2.

By Cindy Luis

Kelly Chang has three aces in a  9-0 closing run and Nevada wins 25-14. The Hawaii boosters in the arena are rooting for Nevada with four local players

Nevaea looked to take a 2-0 lead, up 20-17. Fresno State scores 5 straight to go up 22-21. Bulldogs win 25-22.

The Wahine were in the arena until Shoji went over to tell they they could go back to their rooms. They had the option to stay and the only player I see left is Ferrell.

Nevada wins Set 3 25-20. Fresno State wins Set 4 26-24. Going to 5.

Fresno State wins 15-12.

By Cindy Luis

Boise State up 25-22,  26-24. Idaho, the top blocking team in the country, had no blocks in Set 1. Idaho up 22-21 in Set 3.  Idaho seeded third, Boise sixth.

Idaho holds on in Set 3. They were up 24-21. ended up being 25-23. on to Set 4.

boise up 9-5 in Set 4 after an ace. TO Idaho. Boise wins 25-21. Biggest upset since San Jose State def. SMU in 2003.

Boise State hit .237 with four players in double-kill figures, led by Alisha Young’s 16. Idaho hit .188, 19 kills by Sarah Conwell.

By Cindy Luis

Sorry didn’t have good internet connection until this morning.

Was on the same flight as the team. Very, very bumpy. The people on the flight were very happy they were with the team. Was right ahead of Shoji as we boarded. I thought I was way back in the plane at 38. he was like in 42. but it was the only seat with a window available and he wanted to take a nap. It was amazing that he walked down and everyone kept saying good luck, good luck. I asked him if he felt like he knew the whole plane. He laughed and said that it sometimes feels like it.

Team checked in early … we got to the hotel around 7. they spent most of the day sleeping. Banquet was last night. I didn’t go (went to an amazing Santana concert instead). I think Shoji was surprised about his coach of the year, tho. I knew the all-WAC team Friday but was sworn to secrecy. It was interesting asking Shoji Saturday morning who his pick was for Coach of the Year. He voted for Idaho.

Saw a few players in the elevator this morning. They have practice at 2 p.m. LV time.

Just had a nice chat with Alexis Robins. We’re both looking for wireless. She’s trying to finish a paper for school.

Such a nice young woman. I’ve known her family since her Auntie Mary played for the Wahine starting in 86. She’s very excited to make her first road trip.

By Cindy Luis

Good 2 1/2 hour practice this morning. Team seems ready to go on the road. Shoji reminded them of the distractions of Las Vegas and how “We will not be distracted.”  Team arrives at 6:30 a.m. Sunday and have free time (mostly to sleep) until meeting for the WAC banquet at 6 p.m.

UH usually uses Spalding balls but the WAC and NCAA use Molten. So the Wahine have been using the heavier, slightly bigger Moltens this week. Both Shoji and Mafua said there is a noticeable difference in the balls but Mafua said it’s not that big of a deal. but happy to practice with them.

They’re taking 13. The usual 12 and Alexis Robins. Tuaniga and Mitchell not at practice. Both freshmen redshirts went home to California for Thanksgiving break.

By Cindy Luis

Had nice chats with Beckwith, Cervantes, Wade and Fisher today. Sounds like they’re happy how things are going. I have a story running Tuesday which focuses on the Stanford exhibitions.

Someone asked about Arik Metzger. He is in school but hasn’t been cleared to practice. That may happen for January. So until then, he’s not  in the gym.

Sorry I’ll miss the exhibitions. Pretty informal. Klum. no charge, bring a beach chair.