Wahine survive in 5
By Cindy Luis
Caught half the match on radio, all of Set 5 in between interviews in Waikiki
Hawaii pulls it out 22-25, 25-16, 17-25, 25-17, 19-17. Wahine were down 14-12 in Set 6 held off two match points. That was impressive.
Wahine hit .000 for Set 3 8-8-31, CSUN 000 in Set 4 8-8-30
Vorster 9-3-21, Croson 18-10-49, Uiato 2-2-7, Hartong 16-9-43, Adolpho 4-2-8, Long 0-1-1, Goodman 5-2-17 in 4 sets, Kastl 5-3-14 in 5 sets. Wahine hit 165 for the night. 10 aces, 5 by Longo, 3 by Hartong, 7 SE, 58 digs, Long 12, Croson 11, Maeda 10, Uiato 10, 17 blocks, Vorster 8 BA, Adolpho 7 BA, Hartong 1 solo 5 BA, Goodman 5 BA.
Matadors hit 132, 5 aces 4 SA, 12 blocks, 62 digs 27 by Ortiz. Mahina Haina (Iolani) 10-9-36. Graff 13-8-39, Hinger 14-9-33, UH did a good job on setter Gedryn 3-2-11.
Volleyshots
WHEW! that was too close for comfort. I hope it was the 1st road game jitters…..
I see Nebraska and UCLA lost
Bad stats for Hawaii. Outdug by CSUN too.
these days don’t know how accurate the stats are. UH’s have been off at the arena. The put Mendoza in the box. obviously a mistake.
Is something being done about that? The stats people have no credibility at all.
Hot, Ann, Scott and I have all mentioned to UH about stats being off. However, this mistake is on CSUN.
Watched the last 2 sets off internet. Rainbows were good in what I saw, but Matadors were not backing down or intimidated. They had trouble with Hawaii serves which lwft their hitters out of system many times and while Hawaii wasn’t getting to every spike they brought up enough to take control in 4 and 5. One down, girls. Now ya know the road can jump up and bite you if you let it get away from you. Be humble, be as much as possible in system and explore all options of your offense. Even though it was close and scary, when you played your game, Northridge didn’t have enough firepower or defense to stop you, go Wahine!
Listened on radio, Chip.Wells made it as exciting as Orsen Wells in the War of the Worlds. This was a good win!
Actually it’s Tiff, Short for Christopher. Didn’t catch all of it but he sounded pretty good. but I’m a little biased. It’s my son.
lol.. Good one..
man what a match..
Good on you, Mama! Tif was creating a very well described and thoughtful narrative and I wondered how he sort of got into the local mindset towards the Wahine. When I got home and on the internet, the announcer there was okay but of a lower level. And it was annoying that the visuals were behind Tif’s commentary so I went with their/video feed. I guess knowing that he grew up in your house and probably tagged along with you to work/games explains a lot. I appreciated his ‘knowledge’ of the program and volleyball/Wahine smarts.
Thanks. Tiff has been with Scott on Wahine home broadcasts for a couple of seasons. He also does color for UH men’s volleyball and Wahine basketball at the SSC. Because of his other jobs, he hasn’t been on every broadcast for 1420am.
He has been to a lot of UH matches, even before he was born. pregnant with him during the Wahine 1985 season and part of the men’s 1986. He played on the ‘Iolani state championship team of 2003, still coaches at Ku’Ikahi, and now assistant for ‘Iolani intermediate girls. he also was a practice player for the Pepperdine women’s team when he was in school.
He really prepares for his broadcasts. been impressed with how meticulous he is, especially with the prep as a color guy.
Tiff Wells did a heck of a job and he will only get better if given enough opportunities. Don’t think the Wahine will struggle this much the rest of the road trip. Can never underestimate the value of getting on the road for the first time. The Wahine wil be fine and they will be stronger when they come home and go on the road again. Many played in front of family and friends for the first time this year. Don’t think they ever found their comfort zone tonight. Happens every year to most every team.
He sound really good – very articulate. I listened more to the radio which is a little bit ahead of the BigWest.TV streaming.
thanks for the kind words. He has worked hard and has a lot of knowledge of the sport. He did solo at Pepperdine and a couple of times when Pepperdine came to play in Hawaii. He’s gotten a lot of good pointers from Scott Robbs and Blaine Kauwe.
To close for comfort …. for a Top 10 team , passing way to predictable , almost in slow motion . Hardly any middle set , seems like Kastl gets in ,gets a kill ,then gets pulled out , cant find a groove in that amount of time . pretty sloppy win all in all . Anyway a win is a Win …. GO WAHINE !!!!!!!
Welcome to the Big West. The Wahine are the new girls in town. They can expect a rude welcome where ever they play.
Their road jersey should have a bulls eye on the back. Every team and their fans should be jacked up when the Wahine show up.
It has always been like that, Big West and WAC. and even when UH was an independent.
Yes it’s alway been like that. My point is no one on this team other than the coaches have experienced road play in the BW.
Dave tried to explain what to expect but until the girls go through the experience themselves they’ll know what he’s talking about.
Dave knows this is a prideful conference. That whether it’s a road or home match the girls can’t just show up and expect to win like they did in WAC play.
Agreed. Also thought after watching replay, adjustment to ‘new’ foreign court played part in Wahine discomfort. Lower ceiling (bumps ricocheting off basketball backboards), ob lanes with more/less space to chase down balls (more side, less behind), court lines overlaid on basketball floor (difficult to see) should remind them of Klum but it’s different btw practice/game when points actually count.
Agreed. We mentioned early about how the lower ceilings affect play, especially with the retracted backboards. a little like the older gym at Nevada.
If you recall, Croson had problems at Fullerton last year.
and also War Memorial in spring.
CB, just agreeing with you. the road environs can be very hostile and this was the first time the Wahine were heckled with fans so close to the court.
And give CSUN credit. they played well.
UH so much easier to scout than other teams with the accessibility of their home matches on TV.
Actually, the bull’s eye should be over their hearts because that’s what it’s gonna take to win on the road. Teams will always be looking to take down “The Program”, “The Coach” and “The legendary mystique” which we’ve surrounded them with, so in a way they’ll want to ‘quiet’ us, too. I for one will not be quieted or waiver in my support and belief in these girls – win or lose. Rainbow Wahine FOREVER Green!
This is what we wanted/needed…tough matches to prepare us for post season play. it’s not like we went to 5 w/a La Tech, sheesh.
Agree. Other than getting into the PAC 12 the BW is the best thing that could have happened.
The Wahine should be better battle tested going into post season play.
Me think Wahine too predictable. Will continue to struggle.
A win is a win is a win, BUT, the Wahine need to play inspired vball. At times, it looked like they were just going through the motions, with no sense of urgency.
Hopefully, Dave will calm this team down and stress to play every point like it’s for the match. They’re a much better team than what they presented last night so they should be OK for the rest of conference play. LET’S GO BOWS.
Yes it was too close for comfort for me as well.. But methink girls might just be feeling a little out of sorts with new gym and first road game.. Remember last year at Las Cruses… yes even with Kanani/Chanteal and all those shuffling went to five and we all know how they went about last year coming strong the whole conference and thru the final match of the season..
After watching that game yesterday, I’m actually glad that the Big West doesn’t have a volleyball tournament. Jane and Emily taking too many swings and if they struggle the team struggles. Good thing volleyball has 5 chances to win 3, like tennis.
I don’t know how all this shuffling around of players is going to help. Last year, Shoji insisted on Blake at libero and Hartong on the right while Maeda and Satele sat on the bench. It did nothing because they went back to the original lineup anyway in matches that mattered. This year, I’m afraid Kastl just doesn’t have it in her to be a go-to player for Hawaii. And when you’re in Shoji’s system as a left side, you better be able to produce in clutch situations. Hartong is going to get set a lot anywhere she is, so why not keep her on the left since that’s where most balls go anyway.
Auwe! a great test at Klum Gym-California style. Where
is Lelepali? and why G. Long?
Radio feed? and internet Big what website?
Cant wait for home matches! Go Wahine!
Tomas, we gave all the info before the match started
streaming: bigwest.org/tv
radio: espn1420am.com
in hawaii radio 1420-AM
And it was mentioned several times that Long was on the trip instead of Lelepali. this is nothing new. Shoji has often alternated players for road trips. Lelepali may very well be on the next instead of Long.
The quality of the video and a good part of the game made me want to switch to the ucla vs usc game on t.v. Finally saw a broadcast worse than Time-Warner’s, except for the commentator who was good. Even given that this was the first road match, HI should have won hands down, 3 – 0. They’ll have to play more consistently to even reach the regionals. It was very uncomfortable watching sets 1 and three. Set 5 was exciting. Just eliminating 2 of the 4? errors would have closed the match before the overtime.
Cindy,
Listened to the 1420 broadcast .Your son’s radio broadcast was excellent and much easier to follow than the audio for the BigWest video feed.
It really helps to have someone who has an understanding of the game of volleyball. Hope to hear him throughout the season!
Shoji has made no secret of the fact that he is using the conference matches to prepare for the postseason. This means constant experimentation: a 6-2 offense with Stauber used as 2nd setter; Hartong on the right, Kastl on the left; a two-person receive formation in the back row; and a lots of situational substitutions, depending on the opposition. According to Shoji Hawaii needs to find the right line-up to be able to match up with the Cals and UCLAs and other teams like Penn State and Nebraska with tall lineups in the post season. Shoji is entirely willing to sacrifice the “chemistry” of a set lineup to ensure greater success against the teams in the later rounds of the NCAA playoffs. I agree with Shoji’s strategy. Besides its allows more players to have PT, important for morale. Ginger Long must really impressed with her float serves in practice. Prior to the road trip she was increasingly being used as a serving specialist. Long is more versatile than Lelapali, and can play all six rotations if needed.
I understand what you are saying, but I think that would really only work if you have several Hartong-type players you can switch around. I’m sorry but Kastl is not a Hartong-type player. Moving Hartong to the right means less opportunities for her, and Croson/Kastl would have to shoulder more. Croson can be hot and cold, but we’ve seen her show up in big matches. Have you seen Kastl’s stats as a left side? And last year’s switching around of players? Didn’t help. Blake was not ready and Adolpho wasn’t, either. And then Shoji went back to the original lineup. I don’t think I was alone in saying “What took so freaking long?” Long being developed as a DS, fine. But if it doesn’t work out, I hope Shoji realizes it fast. So far, what I’ve seen from Long is shaky defense and back row swings hitting straight into the block. But sure, let’s see what happens.
I disagree with the statement that right-side hitters have less offensive opportunities than the left. Examples? Ariel Scott of Penn State, its leading hitter; Kathy Fuller of USC (She and Bricio have about the same # of sets and KPS); of course, in the past, Blair Brown of Penn State and Sarah Pavan of Nebraska. The men’s game emphasize right-side hitters; the most famous, of course, are Yuval Katz and Clay Stanley of Hawaii. When Hartong and Croson are on the right (1 of 3 rotations) they get set just as much as when they are on the left. It is a matter of confidence of the coach and the setter in the players being able to deliver, no matter where they play on the court. I don’t doubt that Hartong would be set 40 or more times in a match if she would have remained at middle.
Lanaiboy, you hit the nail on the head. Of course, you need to win. But, even more important, you have to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the team. Once that picture becomes clear you need to determine what, if anything, you can do to improve the team on the court. Often a coach’s strategy is based upon trade-offs between the stengths and weaknesses of the team. And to be perfectly honest, most people won’t remember a 30-1 season if you don’t do well in the tournament.
you can watch all big west road games on BigWest.TV
all free. Don,t know whats up with Hartong but her last few games have been subpar. The wahine’s serve receive passing has taken a step backward this year even with Longo in there. I hope that the coaches can find a cure fast.
Moving Hartong around is making it difficult for the team to get in a rhythm. She is obviously the most consistent hitter so why sacrifice her on the left. Better offense on the left and better blocking on the right is a more effective approach than just looking for an occasional big hit. Everyone can make a contribution if used strategically. Not sure why UH started the fifth game with only two hitters and the weakest block after only one rotation.
Thank you for your thoughts Ms. Luis. I too agree that chemistry is so important and having those killer instincts as I saw in the eyes of UCLA vs USC match – their players were soo intense – I hope that the wahine too will have that ! I know Coach Shoji is finding the right line up, etc. When he tinkered with Hartong on the right and Kastl on the left (who is evidently more potent and confortable position) – it appeared to be a very, very strong line up for them – also in Blocking (opposing the opponents prolific left side hitters). there is definitely a stronger need for the middles to be set, and a stronger right side option. I like the crinkle Shoji added of Croson/Hartong/Kastle hitting ouf of the back right side – very nice!
Unfortunately, I started questioning also the ranking of #7 – after yesterday’s 5 game barely winning match. This should have been a sweep – although it’s tough to win on the road a great team will achieve this – as the bows did. Ms. Luis what are your thoughts of them making it to the final four this year and their current ranking?
Think the NCAAs are wide open. that Hawaii played exceptionally well against a young, injured Stanford team and showed they have the potential to beat bigger teams when their passing is on and confidence high.
No. 7 is just a number, voted on by 60 coaches, sometimes their assistants we’ll see where they are with RPI.
Hawaii still young at positions and it was their first road match after weeks of being loved at the SSC. CSUN a bit hostile and they weren’t used to the heckling. small gym, low ceilings, backboards that get in the way. i think the most impressive thing is holding off 2 match points, down 14-12 and pulling it out.