Croson suspended indefinitely, Manu-Olevao on trip
October 3rd, 2012
By Cindy Luis
By Cindy Luis
This will be in tomorrow’s paper and is up on our breaking news. Via Ann Miller
No. 8 Hawaii leaves tonight for its second Big West volleyball road trip and it will be without all-conference hitter Jane Croson.
The sophomore is suspended indefinitely for breaking team rules, according to Rainbow Wahine coach Dave Shoji. He called it a “serious offense,” but would not elaborate.
Shoji said Croson she would be reinstated later if she “meets some obligations.”
The Wahine had hoped to redshirt freshman Tai Manu-Olevao this season, but have taken her on the trip and now expect to use her.
“Tai can be a force,” Shoji said. “She has played extremely well in practice. We’ve been talking everyday about activating her and putting her in the lineup. This is an opportunity to take a look at her.”
Hawaii will decide on a lineup after Thursday’s practice. The Wahine are scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles Thursday morning and take a four-hour bus ride up to San Luis Obispo. It plays Cal Poly (1-14, 0-3) Friday and UC Santa Barbara (8-10, 1-2) Saturday.
Volleyshots
Really sorry to hear about Jane. Hope that she can work through her problem, and get past this suspension. Dave is always very fair with his players, and discipline, and rules are very important on any team, and in school. I’ve said in the past that I think Tai’s athleticism could help the team be more competitive this year so I really think that Dave is making the right decision taking her on this critical road trip. I hope that this activation of a very gifted player may turn out to be a blessing as the year unfolds. Sort of like the year that Dave decided to activate Amber Kaufmann because of injuries, and problems in the middle position. Let’s hope this decision makes the Wahine a stronger team in the second half of the season.
Damn. Don’t know what the infraction was and I’m not going to even speculate. I just hope she gets her act together and rejoins the team soon. She’s let herself down, she’s let the team down and she’s screwed Tai out a redshirt year.
It sounds pretty serious but he wouldn’t tell us what. not academic. I don’t know if it’s screws Manu-Olevao out of a redshirt year. They are taking her. They may not play her. But he’s been toying with using her because he wasn’t getting enough production from whatever OH position that Hartong wasn’t playing.
Hartong missed practice this morning. she resting that foot thing that’s been bothering her.
You’re right, Shoji may not use Manu-Olavao. He has other options like Goodman (if he moves Hatong back to the left) or Long. It’s just a shame that this happened especially now that he seems to have mostly settled on his starting lineup.
Rudy, this is not quite like what happened with Kaufman because this was preventable. Kaufman had to play due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control. The same cannot be said about the situation now.
This pretty much says Long is the LAST option to see the front court. Wish she would be given a chance BEFORE they activate Manu Olevao.
Not true. Long is on the trip because she can play both front and back. they have not decided to use Manu-Olevao yet. taking her in case.
in case of what.
In case there is an injury to an OH or if one of the OHs are really struggling. If it comes down to that last travel spot on the travel roster between an OH and a DS, a coach ideally would want to bring an extra hitter because of their height as an OH, but also their skill in the backrow (an OH obviously plays front row, but has to be in the passing rotation on serve receive, unless they are subbed out for a DS). if a coach brings another DS on the roster, it limits their options b/c of their height.
Again, it comes down to where the coach sees more value in adding depth at a certain position.
Thanks for getting to the question first, Tiffers. They are taking Manu-Olevao in case they need her. I don’t think they will against Cal Poly. UCSB might be another story if they start struggling. With Croson out, there isn’t the double threat at both pins that splits the block. He hasn’t decided on a lineup. I could see Hartong and Kastl left, Goodman right. But they need to pass well to run the middle and keep the opponents’ block honest.
Common Jane. Bear down and get thru this. You have so many people pulling for you. Some like my 12 year old nephew don’t even care or knows the Wahine’s win-loss record. He just knows you showed him some love and care’s about you as a person who makes him feel like someone special.
Wonder if its the same type of thing why she didn’t play on her high school team her senior year…
This is what makes coaching so challenging. You never know for sure how your decisions will pan out. Dave will put on the court whatever lineup he thinks will be best for the team’s success. You have to let the cards fall however they fall. If you think Ginger will do the job, you go with Ginger. If you think it’s Tai, you go with Tai. I’m not convinced that redshirting always works out best for the player, or the team. Some players need to play against a lot of different teams to really develop. They need to be challenged more. I don’t think Tai will be at a loss if she is activated. Dave said that she was Ok with redshirting, or playing this year. I think she wants to do whatever will be best for the team.
everyone keeps making a comment about this happening her senior year of high school. did she not play that whole year?
Croson did not play her senior year of high school. There was some sort of altercation with a teammate that the coach said it was so minor that if it had been up to him, they would have played. but the school had a zero tolerance policy for whatever it was so they were off the team. I was led to believe it was ‘a fight’ at a dance. the comment from a newspaper in the area was “zero policy for violence.”
the other speculation was it was alcohol. I don’t believe that was the case.
very unfortunate. i hope she is able to get back on track, people will continue to speculate. it says its not academic related, so that will make people talk even more trying to figure out what happened.
Didn’t know this. Thought she was suspended in HS for alcohol-related reason with friend/(teammate?).
Pretty sure it was an altercation at a HS dance and not alcohol related. that would have been in 2010? 16 then?
in case this got lost somewhere else, her big brother was killed in 2006, passenger in a car that veered off the road. She almost didn’t commit to being a Wahine because she now was the only child left and she’s very close to her parents. not making excuses for whatever it was that has happened but how many of us have killed off enough guardian angels in our lives that it’s a surprise we keep getting sent more?
Yes, the dance context sounds familiar. Tried googling to find the article. Could’ve been an unconfirmed comment on some message board though I remember reading it in a couple of places. No matter. Agree about guardian angels. Also not gonna judge Croson based on her past. Just hope she’s ok and deals with whatever it is best way possible — for her.
WOW!.. did not know that about Miss Croson, that is a huge tragedy! To have to deal with that …i too believe in Guardian Angels and believe my oldest brother, my young nephew gone at 17 is watching over me and our family as well….
go Na Wahine!
Damn. I am at a loss for words. I hope that Jane can work things out.
It’s only fair that what’s going on should be done with and let the pieces fall were ever Dave thinksd move on. its good for the team, but I do hope that Jane can pick up the pieces an
Jane can pick up the pieces and move on foward.
Does anyone know what she did?
Shoji wouldn’t tell us.
I don’t know or care what Jane did. I am glad Dave Shoji has not explained it. There’s only two kinds of business: your business and none of your business.
Absolutely right!
It goes without saying that Jane is the type player we support at UH and the Wahines. My heart reaches out to her and pray she finds her way. We a care about her.
This is a really bad loss. But thank god this isn’t the road trip to Irvine and Long Beach. If Olevau and Kastl both play left side, who will play back row? Are they going to use Long or Lelepali for one of them and Long or Lelepali to serve for the middles and then let Maeda go back for the other one? Sorry for very confusing question
The only comment has been that they haven’t decided on a lineup. They get in on Thursday morning, drive up to Cal Poly. Have a practice then where they’ll figure it out.
It does hurt since Croson takes pressure off Hartong by being the other go-to player. Croson also has one of the better serves, is in the passing rotation and gets to a lot of balls. Haven’t see enough of Olevao to comment on her back row play. Long is decent back there. has a live arm, can be used 3-meter attack. They’ll need everyone to step up, pass well, give Uiato all of her options.
Weeks ago I said on this blog that the trait I would use to describe the 2012 version of the Rainbow Wahine is enigmatic: “puzzling, hard to fanthom, ambiguous, leaving people wondering.”
Others tell me that everyone on the team knew early Spring Semester that Falyn Fonoimoana would be a no show come Fall Semester, yet team members kept tight lipped about it, while the media and Wahine fans put her down as a done deal.
And now we have Croson. As we have learned from the Stan Sheriff Disaster, transparency is NOT a trait anyone would use to describe the workings of the UH’s Athletic Department.
Shoji, Croson, and the rest of the Wahine will hopefully work it out. With lips zipped, no doubt. And it will come to be known as …
The Enigmatic Incident of the Vball Player in the Night-time
Don’t remember EVER saying Fonoimoana was a done deal and neither did Ann. and this goes back to fall 2011 and last spring.
Said it was going to take a lot for her to be eligible for this fall. and that the coaches were not expecting her. If she showed up it would be a bonus but no one was holding their breath or counting on her. She was never in the gym practicing.
Not really sure what Croson’s situation has to do with the transparency with the rest of the department.
She broke a team rule. Shoji chose not to disclose which one it was. She has to do things that will allow her to rejoin the team.
for what it’s worth … i also remember a lot of fans talking about FF … but in the same breath saying/recognizing that she wasn’t guaranteed …
First I want to say, “Jane, if you want to be a Wahine then show it. We’ve seen you rise to the challenge and beat it. This is something that you can get behind you and true fans like true friends will stand behind you. I don’t care what rule was broken just that you learn from it and grow to be able to avoid letting yourself and your team mates down.We all make mistakes along the way but some learn from them and some keep making the same ones over and over and blame the system rather than ourselves.” Second to those who are so curious about her high school infractions, “Is that important at all? I think it’s more like ‘water under the bridge’ and not something for speculation or a fanblog discussion.” But that’s just my feelings.
Who is Cindy Luis and how does she know everything?
She is a writer and reporter for the paper. But I didn’t know she was that close to Dave Shoji…
Shut your mouth and open your mind.
Yellow Mellow, you really have to ask who I am? This is my blog.
I don’t know everything. but I have been covering the Wahine and Warriors programs for the paper since 1981
Cindy Luis has been doing her thing for over 25 years. Please we don’t need sarcastic comments here as this is a serious discussion. Thanks
Just because Tai went on the trip doesn’t necessarily mean she will play. Looks like Dave is just keeping his options open, and as an athlete you really have to expect the unexpected. Despite how this has really shocked most Hawaii fans, this is a huge opportunity for players like Kaela Goodman & Ginger Long to take this chance to show what they can bring to this team. I personally would LOVE to see Ginger up front. She has the potential to be a great player up front, it’s a shame Shoji has only been using her as a Serving Specialist. Bottom line is, Jane broke the rules. Every action comes with consequences, I am glad to not to be Shoji, suspending her was probably a tough decision. But I stand by his decision, if you let one player off the hook, eventually other players will assume they can get away with anything. Jane fix the problem, I would hate to see you benched at home.
Jane was a no show at the after game team/boosters buffet last Sat. At least I didn’t see her there.
Maybe she visited her friends that play on the LBS team. Whatever it is i hope she can clear things up so she can be on the floor for the next home games.
Jane didn’t attend the potluck.
Thanks HC. Wasn’t there so I didn’t know if she did or not. I do know that it gets very crowded in there, especially if the other team comes into eat as well. And i’ve had problems finding people the few times I’ve dropped in.
Oh god, hopefully it doesn’t have anything to do with the so called rivalry with LBSU…
Jane what ever it is that is you’re going thru turns out to be just a minor incident. Hopefully you can comeback strong after this… Rooting for you girl
Didnt someone on this blog say something about a player being suspended couple weeks ago? Coincidence?
Yes, someone mentioned Hagins which I never saw anything about it anywhere except a couple random posts. and that was before the first road trip so doubt that it was in reference to Croson. Obvious both players made that first trip.
Don’t think she was visiting with LBS friends. they were in the locker room a while. Gimmillarro has very long chats after losses. I don’t drop by the postgame potlucks unless I need to check on something with the coaches about practice schedule. a lot of times the girls will pick up food then go back to the training room for treatment.
jane will be back. everyone needs to stop trippin’
she is human. she does make mistakes. she will learn from this experience and she will ‘not’ transfer because people think she’ll have some sort of ‘grudge’ against shoji.
Jane i’m /we are pulling for you !!! what ever adversity comes our way… this to shall pass and you will overcome!
You have mad v-ball skills and talent and we appreciate them!!
Jane, you are our family’s favorite wahine! What ever happens, we support you 100% and hope to see you back on the court soon!
Just one request please. I have deleted a couple of posts who have called her a disgrace and for her to quit the team. We don’t know what happened so quit being so harsh.
If it had been something like an arrest, as in the case of some of the football players, then that is a matter of record and it would have been reported as such.
She made a mistake. she broke team rules. she’s been suspended with the chance of being reinstated. it’s serious enough for that. It wasn’t serious enough for her to be kicked off the team or out of school.
Yes, she made a mistake. She is barely a woman.
I’m sure most of us here have made mistakes in the past. The only difference is that we were not in the public eye (good or bad).
Jane seems to have a good support system in the Wahine and their fans (in addition to friends and family). Hopefully she can “right her wrong” and get back on the court!
Wake up and then I read this. Who else is on the travel roster this time around?
No much change on the travel roster. Manu-Olevao for Croson, Long again going as she did last trip They took 13. so all 4 middles, both setters. Longo, Maeda. Hartong, Kastl, Goodman, Long, Manu-Olevao.
Cindy:
There are people who know absolutely nothing who always think they know something.
“those that know say nothing; those that do not know, speak”(Ancient Chinese -the Dao)
Orbital, i enjoy your comments mostly and appreciate you taking the time to post. but let’s not judge a 19 year-old’s actions when we know nothing about what led up to the situation.
That Shoji would not tell Ann or me what it was speaks volumes, to me at least. We have both known him for over 30 years have a very good working relationship and this is one of the few times he wants something kept within the team.
It was a team rule, not a university infraction nor something on the police blotter.
Would anyone care IF I opened up my “Digg’n Na Wahine” blog for commenting?
I’m positive that I could now respond w/ thoughtful coherency and espically w/o fear and intrepidation.
Content would remain a taskful quandry, however.
Up to you to open your blog.
The Yellowmellow post cracked me up: “Who is Cindy Luis and how does she know everything?”
It reminded me of a war story that a national trial lawyer told me. There was this trial in Miami where a prominent Cuban-American personal injury plaintiff lawyer was turning the manufacturer defendant’s witnesses into cannon fodder. The defense expert was creamed. During closing argument, the defense lawyer had not much to argue so he drew an analogy to Michael Jordan hitting a game winning shot. The plaintiff lawyer stated, on rebuttal, “Who is this Michael Jordan and why didn’t the defense call him to testify.” The jury smirked, and later returned a verdict for the defendant.
Cindy. You said it was not “academic.” However, it does seem like it is. When Shoji said, Croson has to meet certain obligations almost always it relates to classroom type obligations. If it was disciplinary action for things like drinking, fighting, or missing too many curfews, a coach usually sets a specific time-limited suspension, like the DUI suspensions for the football team. For academics, the coach usually says, get your act together; you won’t return to the team until you do. But what do I know. I am just speculating like everyone else and being nosy like everyone else.
LB, i was told it wasn’t academic nor was it physical. just passing along what I was told and have no reason not to believe it. But I have been accused of being naive.
A second incident is usually not a good sign. Anyway, I’m cheering for Kaela. We’ll see about Tai.
not sure what you mean a ‘second’ incident. would you elaborate?
Cindy are you travelling with the team?
Wonder if Shoji came up with a line up yet after today’s practice?
Beau, nope, I am not traveling with the team and haven’t since the paper’s merged two years ago. Ann is the beat writer. I have covered a couple matches for the daily when she’s had a conflict and do most of the breaking news after the matches. and sidebars during the tournament.
they my not decide until tomorrow’s walkthrough about the starters. If i had to guess … Hartong & Kastl LS, Goodman RS, Uiato, Longo, Adolpho, Vorster … Maeda DS.
I’m very broadly classifying the senior episode and the recent suspension as “incidents.” Guess both could be called episodes or events, for want of better terms. b.
It is academic! She missed class! That’s why!
I wish Jane well and hope she matures from what ever caused this suspension. Adversity is part of life and it is during this time we can make the most growth if a person acknowledges their responsibilities and commitments and be not a selfish person. I respect the coaching staff for up holding their responsibilities to each player.
One more point…someone else will step up to make this team stronger.
I know I’m a day late but I can’t believe that Croson would be suspended just because she didn’t attend a booster’s meeting after the Long Beach match. It doesn’t make sense. Isn’t that optional? It must have been a far more serious infraction.
VBF, it wasn’t a booster’s meeting. it was the postmatch potluck which is optional. Mentioned befroe that sometimes players walk in, grab food, head to treatment. it’s not mandatory.
I say ‘good’ if alls true.Unfortunately, some of us need to learn a lesson, be it mild or serious, in life. I jus hope she has the character to learn what she should from this lesson. Its just a fork she created in the road of her life that can be corrected by focusing back on the right path. Volleyball aint anything…it always comes down to choosing a lifestyle that works.
I think we often forget that since Hawaii does not have professional sports that UH becomes our end all. It is difficult for the coaches and players to live up to those expectations. Despite their very public lives, the athletes are barely adults and words and innuendos and inconsiderate/inappropriate remarks can have a huge impact on their psyches and personalities. Please support Jane and Dave as they go through this difficult situation.
volleyball fan, you’re misinformed there. What was mentioned was that Jane did not go to the potluck put on by the boosters after the Beach match. It’s up to them if they want to attend or not, usually no one passes on some ono food put out by the boosters. I didn’t see Monica there either.
Before we start speculating who between Long and Manu-Olevao will be starting on the left, let’s be reminded that neither have seen any significant playing time, much less started matches. It’s likely that these two aren’t in the mix to start at all. Manu-Olevao will be going on the trip as an additional option, not necessarily a potential starter. It’s quite possible she may not play at all. In 2006, when Jessica Keefe was injured on the road, Shoji arranged for Caroline Blood to fly and join them on the road. She didn’t see the court at all. Same could be the case for Olevao.
If I had to speculate, I think it would be Hartong on the left, joined by Kastl, who could possibly play all six rotations. Goodman at right-side hitter, with Emily Maeda playing back row for her. Adolpho and Vorster in the middle, Uiato at setter and Longo as the libero. That would put Hartong back to the position she opened the season at, Goodman reinstated in her starting spot, and Kastl continuing with her role in the last string of matches. The changes could be in the substitution pattern.
Ginger Long could continue with the role she shares with Courtney Lelepali, as a designated server for one of the middles, or she could be partnered with Stauber in a 6-2 double switch. Hagins and Tuaniga could also possibly be partnered with Stauber for the double-sub as well, in addition to their duties as middle blockers. Manu-Olevao will provide depth on the left or right. Or she may not play at all.
Nice article by Ann this morning. Looks like Kastl will be in the passing rotation. It is something that I have wanted to see. Coach also said that one of the reasons he brings Long on road trips is that she can play both front and back rows.
RZ, thanks. we have mentioned that Long can play both back and front. have said she reminds me a little of Satele. and they’ve been working on her back-row attack since two-a-days.
Let’s just hope all goes well with Jane. The team will have to move on w/o her. The more we bring it up, the more the players and the coach will have this lingering on. Looking forward to this weeks matches. Go Wahine.
All the best to Jane … hope she comes back with greater focus, after dealing with whatever off-court issue she is facing.
The team will have to step up on this road trip. Lucky we got some depth this year.