By Jason Kaneshiro

The Warriors closed out their last on-campus practice of the spring by ramping up the hype heading into Saturday’s Warrior Bowl at Aloha Stadium.
After about an hour of practice at Ching Field, the team split into their respective Mauka and Makai teams. They walked through some plays then met up for a 2-minute drill period.
The Mauka team appeared to score on its possession when Shane Austin hit Greg Salas for a touchdown, but the play was called back by a false start. They still moved to the 9 on Ryan Henry’s 5-yard reception on fourth-and-3. But Austin’s next pass was batted into air and back into Austin’s hands and time ran out before they could get another play off.
On the Makai team’s possession, Brent Rausch spotted single coverage on Malcolm Lane on the right side and hit him in stride for a 70-yard touchdown, with the rest of the team following Lane to the end zone.
“I know there’s going to be a couple people looking for my head (on Saturday), but that comes with the turf,” Lane said.
The spring game starts at 3 p.m. on Saturday, preceded by an autograph session at 1.

By Cindy Luis

from the USAV release today: Sean played for Punahou and UH, Bragado Punahou as well.

There is a bit of a baby boom in U.S. beach volleyball these days.

U.S. beach volleyball players Rachel Wacholder Scott (Laguna Beach, Calif.) and Sean Scott (Kailua, Hawai’i) welcomed their first child – a son named Koa Daniel Scott – into the world at 11:11 a.m. on April 3.

Koa was 8.6 pounds and 20 inches long. Both mother and baby are doing well.

USA Volleyball beach coach and program manager Danalee Bragado Corso and husband Brian Corso welcomed their first child – a daughter named Camryn Bragado Corso – at 6 p.m. on April 20.

For complete release, go to http://usavolleyball.org/news/article/12171

By Jason Kaneshiro

Inoke Funaki made a return appearance at quarterback at this morning’s practice. Funaki, now a running back, took seven snaps at the end of the team period, and ran option plays on five and attempted two throws. Head coach Greg McMackin said the staff wanted to install the package, to be used primarily in short-yardage situations,  during the spring and work on it more in fall camp.
>> The defense was a bit short of cornerbacks with Jeramy Bryant and Melvin Hopkins sitting out most of practice and Chris Black still sidelined by an ankle injury. Lewis Walker and Richard Torres got most of the first-team repetitions. Walker made a leaping one-handed interception in 7-on-7s.
>> It’ll be another busy weekend for the program. There’s a reception for UH football alumni set for 6 p.m. Friday. The program hosts its first Junior Day for high school prospects on Saturday morning. Then there’s the Warrior Bowl at Aloha Stadium. The autograph session starts at 1 p.m. with the scrimmage to start at 3.

Rosters for the Warrior Bowl were released today:

MAUKA
QB: Shane Austin, Greg Alexander, Steele Jantz.
RB: Inoke Funaki, Jayson Rego, Kimo Alo, Kahekili Kalalau.
WR: Greg Salas, Rodney Bradley, Billy Ray Stutzmann, Kealoha Pilares, Daniel Lofton, Royce Pollard, Jett Jasper, Corey Paclebar, Ryan Henry.
OL: John Estes, Austin Hansen, David Garness, Kaha‘i Choy, Adrian Thomas, Tuiatua Tuiasosopo, Raphael Ieru, Bronson Tiwanak, Aaron Kia, Steven Rodenhurst.
DL: Abraham Cavaco-Amoy, Alema Tachibana, Geordon Hanohano, Cameron Allen-Jones, Ikaika Mahoe, Quentin Beaver, Elliott Purcell, Rocky Savaiigaea, Waylon Lolotai, Aaron Rink, David Hafoka, Alasi Toilolo.
LB: Brashton Satele, Viliami Nauahi, Josh Andrews, Joshua Rice, Joseph Malabuyoc, R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane.
DB: Lametrius Davis, Tank Hopkins, Lewis Walker, Kawika Ornellas, Richard Torres, Jordan Gomes, Fesootai Papalii, Mana Silva.
Head Coach: Cal Lee. Assistants: Nick Rolovich, Dave Aranda, Chris Tormey, Brian Smith, Craig Stutzmann.

MAKAI
QB: Brent Rausch, Bryant Moniz.
RB: Leon Wright-Jackson, Kennedy Carlson, Hogan Rosehill, Joey Cadiz.
WR: Jon Medeiros, Dustin Blount, Jovonte Taylor, Rick Taylor, Matt Kiel, Jeremiah Ostrowski, Troy Lauduski, Joe Avery, Mike Tinoco, Malcolm Lane.
OL: Laupepa Letuli, Levi Legay, Matagisila Lefiti, Joey Lipp, Lucas Kennard, Brysen Ginlack, Ray Hisatake, Andrew Faaumu, Clayton Laurel, Drew Uperesa, Brett Leonard, Daniel Johnson.
DL: Victor Clore, Tuika Tufaga, Bo Montgomery, John Fonoti, Keahi Watson, Antwan Mahaley, Chris Leatigaga, Vaughn Meatoga, Liko Satele, Haku Correa.
LB: Po‘okela Ahmad, Cory Paredes, Mana Lolotai, Marc Moody, Art Laurel.
DB: Spencer Smith, Jeramy Bryant, Rykin Enos, Steve Stepter, Cody Walker, Marvin Judd, Kenny Estes, Steven Christian.
Head Coach: Ron Lee. Assistants: Rich Miano, Gordy Shaw, George Lumpkin, Mike Smith, Chris Williams.

By Cindy Luis

I’ve answered this elsewhere but the question is about who has applied. From what I’ve been told, current UOP women’s coach and former Wahine associate coach Charlie Wade has. Allen Allen is interested but has not put his name in. Mike Sealy may have … he was thinking about it when I spoke with him late last week.Two other names being bantered about … Scott Wong and Mark Presho, both assistants at MPSF programs. And Reed Sunahara, the Cincinnati women’s coach who was a graduate assistant for UCLA men in the 1980s.   

By Cindy Luis

Up until six weeks ago, I was receiving email notifications of postings. There was an format change and I was unaware that the email notifications were no longer happening, and that I was to approve the comments before they got posted.We have fixed the problem. Thank you for bearing with me through this.  

By Cindy Luis

 They’ll spend the next year working out details in terms of scholarship opportunities.   The NCAA Division I Legislative Council added sand volleyball to the list of emerging sports for women, it was announced today, clearing the way for schools to use the sport toward minimum sponsorship requirements and minimum financial aid awards.  NCAA Division II had already voted to add sand volleyball to the emerging sports list at the 2009 NCAA Convention in January.  The NCAA will call the new sport “sand” volleyball, rather than “beach” volleyball, in hopes that the sport will have broad appeal across the country and not be confined to coastal areas. Play begins the 2010-2011 school year.

By Cindy Luis

Got an email from Lauri, whose team finished third in the Swiss league. I know Jim Clar and Sean Carney will be trying to play in the same league. And Beckwith should be in Hawaii in the next week. He plays for a team about 100 miles from where Schkud plays …. And yes, Beckwith and Juliana Sanders are an “item’ for those of you who asked. From Lauri:The season in the Finnish league is over for us and its time to rest and plan the future.Despite of having a pretty solid team, our team Isku-Volley was not able to win the championship this year like last year in Switzerland. Still, we finished second in the cup earlier in the season and finally third in the league this past weekend. After a long season the bronze medal celebration was nice, although we knew there could have been more to achieve.Personally I had a good time in my native country after being away for years. It was nice to get back into a competitive environment after taking several months off. I joined the team just before Christmas (half way through the season) after my August shoulder operation… I am almost fully recovered now, but still lacking strength, which will come with time. Former UOP All-American Chris Tamas was setting for us and it made playing a lot easier too, it was great having a good setter (who knows USA volleyball) on the team.I am planning on a trip to Hawaii sometime this year, though not sure about the time yet… I miss the islands, and you my friends, too much to stay away for longer periods of time. Also, as the season is about to end in the NCAA as well…I wish coach Mike all the best in his future endeavours and a great senior night for Sean, Jimbo, and Michael.

By Cindy Luis

Congrats to Joe. Hawaii junior hitter Joe Strotman today was named co-player of the week in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men’s volleyball, the first weekly honor of the season for the Warriors.Strotman had career-highs of  30 kills and 12 digs in Saturday’s 3-1 win over USC. He had 13 kills in Friday’s 3-0 loss to the Trojans.Sharing the honor with Strotman was BYU junior hitter Andrew Stewart.The Warriors, moving up a spot to No. 13 in today’s AVCA coaches poll, finished the season 9-18 overall, 6-16 in the MPSF. 

By Jason Kaneshiro

Cal Lee gets his shot at payback Saturday when the Warriors cap spring practice with the Warrior Bowl at Aloha Stadium. The UH coordinators will again lead the teams in the spring game a year after Ron Lee coached the Black team to a 24-20 over Cal Lee’s Green team.

Head coach Greg McMackin said the coaching staff will divide the teams evenly for the full-contact scrimmage. Quarterbacks will still be still be off limits to tacklers. There also won’t be punts or placekicks.

The autograph session starts at 1 p.m with the scrimmage to start at 3.

>> Cornerback Jeramy Bryant was a busy again in today’s practice. He had an interception along the sideline and was involved in two big collisions while closing hard on the ball.

>> Receiver Daniel Lofton made a nice diving catch for the second straight practice.

>> Defensive end John Fonoti showed off his speed and hustle in chasing down receiver Ryan Henry downfield.

Next practice, Wednesday, 7 a.m. 

By Cindy Luis

It was a great way for Sean Carney to go out after a tough week when losing his dad Monday. And great to see Jake Schkud return. The Warriors were so happy when he showed up as a surprise for them. Schkud is still a character.  He had a very good season in Austria, going 15-1, but team lost in the first round of the playoffs.