Wednesday check-in
Heading out to practice in a bit
Tuesday players were very upbeat, thought they could build on the five-set loss to UCLA on Sunday.
As Ah Mow-Santos said, it’s not how you start but how you finish.
Burns has been completely cleared to participate.
Greeley may stay in the back row for now. She said her shoulder and back are fine, that she has missed playing.
Enjoy interviewing Sky Williams. So upbeat and plays with such joy. Story will be in Thursday’s paper.
Still having computer issues. Mac is dead for the moment but have some hope that I can restore stuff without losing my desktop.
As mentioned in today’s story, the lineup we saw Sunday is close to what they want but Ah Mow-Santos said there are always options to be looked at but that they know they can always go back to that one.
Hope Burns gets some playing time.
Good to hear about Greeley and Burns. Any sense of how likely it is that we will see Maglio play all the way around soon?
Williams enthusiasm as a freshman is an energy that has been missing from this team. A rare find that looks to have a a ton of upside. I hope that her attitude becomes infectious, just so positive.
I don’t understand doing the chattering prior to service though. I don’t see that as a polished look for the team. I think that Hawaii should be a clean high end program not needing to use gimmicks to get an edge.
Cindy, have Guinasso, Lipscomb and Ma’afala been cleared to play? And are there plans to redshirt any of the newcomers?
#3. I agree with your assessment of Williams. You just got to love that enthusiasm and energy. I dont think when she chatters in front of the net when the other opponents is serving is distasteful. Unless she is trash talking them but other than that she needs to continue being herself. I think she is a ” special ” find that we didnt expect. I hope she heals quickly
It’s been noted that Sky was getting noticeably tired in the UCLA match about set# four. Having finally had a chance to watch it, I’d agree. But I’d also note that Mags was looking tired as well. There were a lot of missed connections between her and Iosia in that match, and more as it went on. For that matter, Iosia was looking tired. If the norm for this team is going to be long rallies, tight sets, and matches going four and five sets, then the MH’s will need a third MH in the rotation, especially on night three of a back-back-back tournament. Burns/Howling please stand-up. Iosia will need a sub once in a while as well. I think she had four service errors in the UCLA match, and she was struggling. She is a great setter, but she is not a marathoner. She needs a sub once in a while to refocus and get back her legs, so they’ll have her late in the later sets, especially at the end of a long weekend of tournaments. Kahaki on the other hand, is a strong athlete, a bit slow yes, but she seems to get better in long matches when others are starting to fade. The UCLA match was easily her best.
6. I agree regarding Howling and Burns being ready all the time to sub in.
As for a sub for Iosia, why not take her out of the front row in a couple of rotations to let her catch her breath and put someone like Sibley or Ross in. Koelsch, if she remains the opposite, will set from the back row.
#6 I agree that Williams looks gassed. I also think that Iosia could benefit from an occasional sub especially if she has to run around all game when the passes are not on point.
I don’t think the reason that the connections from Iosia to Maglio are off because Maglio was tired. She is one of the fittest on the team. I think the reason was more because when the passes aren’t perfect to Iosia, she has a lot of running to do and she does get tired at times. Mags needs much quicker sets. The timing of the sets were a little slow (and predictable). We want and need quick sets to beat the block before it is set. Maglio looks to really do well when she gets the quick sets. Williams is not as quick and is also a little shorter and this is, I think helpful for Iosia when she is getting run all over.
Interesting, Na Wahine plays Western Carolina tontine and the football team plays Western Carolina on Saturday. Maybe WC is trying to save $$$ on travel costs by doubling up.
As far as getting tired, the best thing is to improve on stamina and fitness, one of Robyn’s key training points, and an issue she identified during the spring and preseason practices. Tons of teams are doing 3 nights in a row right now, and some are doing two matches in a day. Na Wahine need to keep up. And Iosia was having connection problems last year too, so being winded isn’t the main cause–need more practice. Sounds like a lot of excuse-making–the key is to maintain a high standard and have the players train, practice, and play to that standard.
I will not be convinced we have turned a corner until I see it on the court. It is almost embarrassing to be so euphoric about three loses in a row. I am hoping that the players who stepped up in the UCLA match, stay up on a more consistent basis than they have in the past. The write-up on Sky was so satisfying. Loved it.
No one is euphoric about 3 losses. The “euphoria” is really relief that this UH team can play well against a top 15 team despite two disappointing efforts against Marquette and SD. Fears of being the next LBSU have been allayed for the time being. But UH needs to play at a high level more consistently as you suggest.
I wonder why coach seem adamant about playing Ross. That was very confusing to me. I assume she was passing well in practice?
I guess euphoria can come in many forms and for many reasons. I guess I am a “show me” type person. Consistency has always been my main concern with this group of players. R. E. I think you answered your own question correctly.
Too early to be happy. The difference between Sunday’s game and the previous two games was production at the pins. Granato, Castillo and Kendra had good nights. If they had played like that the first two games, we probably win. If the outsides continue to struggle, we will be a bad team. Play Howling. She will be better than Burns.
The team had to practice right after the San Diego match . Would you be tired too the next day in a five set match ?
I’m not a division I athlete, who is supposed to be in shape when camp begins. Again, there are teams playing two matches a day, and no one is saying it is too difficult for them because of stamina issues.
Cindy, no longer am I asked to identify cars, bridges, and store fronts when being verified; now, just a simple click of the box. Thx to your IT team for making the process less involved.
Regarding recruits for next year, if I recollect we have two verbals; Trinity Castanenda (OH) and the gal from Anuenue (forgot her name) believe she was a 6′ 1″ OH/MB. Believe we have two remaining slots.
Has there been confirmation that there was practice after Saturday’s match? I think Robyn knows enough to not run practice after such a downer of a game and another game was coming up in less then 24 hours. My guess is there was a lot of verbal discussions and soul searching.
I mean, you really cannot improve that much from the way we played against USD to the way we played against UCLA with one practice. Its all mental. Robyn probably got the girl’s mind right and the talent took over from there.
We’re three games into the season and already the sky is falling to some. Going into the season you would think that the pundits would be realistic in knowing that we were in a rebuilding phase in personnel and staff and that it would take a while to get everything sorted out, but I digress. Hey, the Sky is rising!
Go Wahine!
Agree with Kahuna. The word practice was used very lightly. Only those that were there in Gym 1 after the loss to USD knows what happened. I would imagine there was some physical, but mostly mental activities.
#17 Tako…..the other girl is Kamalei Krug. She may not be a blue chipper(at least not yet) but I think she is the type Robyn likes. She is athletics, active, and has a heavy arm. She will have time to transition to OH from MB this year and I think She and Trinity could give us some firepower on the outside that we sorely need.
Krug was a member of the 2016 High Performance championship team so she have high level club experience. Very strong and physical player.
Had to laugh. Someone wrote in “letters to the Editor” yesterday about how the wahine coaches attire was too casual. I was thinking the same thing watching the telecast Saturday night.