UCR’s Ahuna national POW
UC Riverside senior hitter Kaiulani Ahuna (Kamehameha-Hawaii) was named the AVCA national player of the week today (Tuesday) as the Highlanders went 2-1 last week at their own tournament.
In 12 sets, she averaged 6.67 kps, 3.67 digs and 7.0 points per set when hitting .364. UCR hit .249 as a team.
The reigning Big West player of the week set then re-set a program rally score record with 30 kills against Montana, hitting .462 with 14 digs on Friday, and then 33 kills in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Eastern Washington where she had a career-high 23 digs. She added 17 kills on .333 hitting and seven digs in Saturday’s sweep of UMass-Lowell.
Other Big West awards went to:
UCSB setter Olivia Lovenberg, freshman of the week
UC Davis libero Malia Bolko, defensive player of the week
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The Rainbow Warrior volleyball team did its vertical leap testing in the Stan Sheriff Center on Tuesday.
Any updates on the Wahine. I am curious how the atmosphere was in the gym following the two losses this weekend.
Waiting to see how they do versus Coastal Carolina. This or these matches may be more indicative of where the Wahine are.
Some uncommitted seniors aces out there… like that decomitted USC rightside.
I am sure they have learned a lot from these 2 matches. They will play with a different enthusiasm just to win a game, let alone a ‘set’.
Emma Smith had a fantastic week for Cal Bears as their Libero. I know she would have been a great one if she stayed here.
She was solid!
You know our program is not in good shape when we are reporting about a UCR player on the Rainbow Wahine Volleyball blog…
I hope we’ve seen the last of Ma’afala as the primary setter. No offense, but she’s a real weakness in the front row. And her dump attempts were painful.
Are they expected to finish in the top 10 this fall? Ah Mow-santos.
Am I picking UC Riverside to win?
As pointed out in the news article today, Coastal has a 6-3 frosh opposite from Hungary, Nemeth, who is left- handed. She leads the team in kills and blocks, hitting .331 .
Coastal Carolina ended last season with a higher RPI than Kansas St.
I watched Coastal Carolina play one match and tbh if Hawaii doesn’t get their act together Thursday & Friday….they seriously could be in for another rude awakening. I very much think Coastal Carolina is beatable, but crap I thought the same with K State too. Honestly I get that Hawaii lost a lot of leadership just in the past two seasons, but I’m shocked no Senior this season is stepping into that leadership role like they should be. I’m tbh not impressed with any player thus far except Liva, if anything she has been a bright spot for me. I am seriously waiting to see Granato show up. As for Ma’afala, wow love her energy, but the setting was not pretty to watch. I’m curious to see what they play like tomorrow night.
So where are our foreign recruits??? Who recruited Greeley, Hartong, Waber, Mcgill. I know Wong got Mags. DId Wade or Sealy recruits the others. Need a coach who can recruit nationally and one to recruit foreign players.
5. mentioned it only because she is from Hawaii and named national player of the week.
11. a lot goes into recruiting foreign athletes, including them having to pass certain entrance requirements.
Coastal coach is Hungarian and this is his seventh year at Coastal.
9. they did. they also won their league.
One favor.
Can some of you folks pick one user name instead of using several?
thank you.
Hi Cindy. Any observations you can pass along from their practices?
Speaking for myself, I try not to treat the Hawaii athletic program as a professional one.
Winning is more fun, but I come out to the games regardless if Hawaii is winning or losing.
I don’t want to be Penn State, Baylor, Ohio State, or North Carolina.
Take the late Pomai for instance.
He didn’t care if the softball team won or lost.
He witnessed every painful error on the right side of the infield, in person.
He showed up with his camera even after the catcher looked at three straight strikes with the bases loaded.
Women’s volleyball has obviously been the outlier.
A mid-major in the mode of Gonzaga basketball.
I am not giving up on Robyn Ah Mow yet.
But even if she doesn’t uphold the program to Dave Shoji standards, I will take middle-of-the-road over selling your soul for athletics anyday.
Cappie, you voiced the way I feel. The players are not professionals…yet. I respect the coach and the players. Let the coaches coach; let the players play. You are right, win or lose, I will be there.
#15, #16—Mahalo for your words. After working a few decades with college students, I always remind myself the UH athletes are young adults, not professional athletes making millions of dollars to play their game of choice. But, this is also not to take anything away from each member of the Wahine team or to imply they are less than they are. I see the Wahines as gutsy athletes who are pouring their heart and soul into a game they love and playing for a team, a school and a state. It is not easy to go to school full-time and train, practice, play games and go on the road. We all love the game, have a long history with the Wahine, and, of course, who doesn’t want a winning season? But, we gotta go with the ups and the downs and I think sometimes the analysis of players can get pretty tough. Just gotta keep things in perspective when we critique the players.
All of a sudden this weekend becomes critical must win games. Some may disagree being nonconference. But, I see these games as season defining.
http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=46586
new thread up with game links
18. I think winning this week would go a long way for morale this week.