Shoji on the radio
Shoji was talking to Scott this morning.
Said Saturday was still stinging. That he had spoken to Hartong yesterday and she wasn’t over it.
Said BYU played pretty error free Saturday and that Hartong didn’t get much help offensively. said he didn’t know how well BYU would do against USC.
2014 schedule: still working on it. ASU is coming out. said that teams are concerned about the RPI, wanting to know who else would be in the tournament, not wanting it to be too easy. And that travel cost is a concern. Said he’d know more by January.
All-Region: disappointed that Uiato didn’t get recognized. said he didn’t know until a few months ago that they had been put in the north region with the split of the Pac-12 and Big West. said he was surprised that CSU got three players but, as mentioned here yesterday, that coaches in that region more familiar with CSU than Hawaii. And that Stanford and UW had great players.
Coming back in 2014? said he wasn’t ready to make the official statement. That will be coming with the next few weeks. said he’s meeting with his players tomorrow, the usual season-ending exit stuff. Said the recruits coming in were good but raw, that they still have very good players returning, including 2 starting middles. said he look at Taylor moving to the left but that might be determined in spring ball. He did mention Passi on the right. Biggest loss will be Hartong, they will also need to replace her in the passing rotation.
think the most telling comment was his saying that he felt this year’s team was a potential final four team. He was disappointed and that there was some unfinished business.
Will any of the indoor players play sand in spring 2014. Will Nikki play sand with Rooks.
Passi is a true opposite, right? Like Kaela Goodman and Chanteal Satele? If she’s good enough to hold that position, Taylor may be needed on the left, considering she’s the big gun returning. I hope these raw newcomers turn into pleasant surprises and be ready to contribute. I’m looking forward to the libero position, with the scholarship player coming in, and I think Sarah Mendoza should be given a look. I wonder how Kyra Goodman fits into the scheme of things, and if Ginger Long will get a shot in the front row or get a bigger role in the back row other than occasional serving sub.
We all share Emily’s sadness and disappointment but in the end it will make her tougher and better,you have to move on, so much more good stuff ahead for you in life.
About the next two years, recruiting looks solid with the 4 signees and the two verbals for 2015. The future is on the high side. The team looks solid for the next two years in all positions. Personally, wouldn’t second guess Shoji; after so many years his teams are still completing at the highest levels. He develops not only excellent players but also excellent people; the seven seniors are great examples. -Hana Hou
Still not over it myself. I was sure the Wahine would have at least taken a set off byu before the game ended. Life goes on but as a loss this was big. We can’t say the NCAA stacked the deck with overly strong opponents or sent them on the road for a sub regional when they deserved to be hosting.
We deserved to host no matter what! I don’t know what happened but I feel for the entire team. We are disappointed but they didn’t let us down. They had a great season. OC16 has been playing a lot of the earlier games and it seems they lost their mojo. The team playing Arizona, Northwestern, etc. seemed different. Hope we see it return in 2014. I will be there cheering them on.
As long as these kids are not sitting around listening to country music they will bounce back quickly. 🙂
I hope Saturday’s loss makes the returnees hungrier for next season. Also, I like that other teams are concerned about RPI and asking about the opposition in Hawaii’s tournaments. Hopefully it results in an even higher level of competition and excitement.
Will this be his last year to coach? Did they mention any of the subjects talked about?
Don’t be surprised if you see Wichita State on the schedule.
Negative nomnom here. From here on in, I challenge myself (and others) to only live in the world of facts. I am no longer an enthusiastic UH fan of over 35 yrs as an attendee of Na Wahine’s matches just repeating the mantra…one more championship. The fact is, after watching countless matches this season, both live and on the internet/tv, I am convinced that UH does not have players (with skills) that can defeat the elite teams.
Saying, hoping the players will be more motivated next year will not change their physical liabilities. Beating in conference teams u will not compensate for the lack of focus and consistency needed to take it all. UH does not the depth, the smarts, the skills – right now. The Penn states, the Stanfords, the Texas’s and the Washington’s are far superior in every phase of the game. also ran’s does not count.
And beating any one them in pre season doesn’t matter.
when it comes to making into the final four.
I will be there again next season and continue supporting the Wahine/program as long as I can both by my physical presence and with $$$, too. Not because I expect championships but because I believe the women who commit to playing for UH deserve my support and respect, too. I’m also sure that when Coach Dave moves on he will leave the new coach and school with absolutely best team that he can put together. Whoever the next coach is will be under tremendous pressure to produce ‘more’ but not from me. I guess as a fan-atic I try to look for ‘the good’ in the Wahine and it isn’t hard to see them play and compete at their best/highest levels win or lose without appreciating their effort and work to fine tune themselves and their/our team. People who can’t appreciate or see what I see are totally entitled to their opinions but so am I. Go Wahine!
11. The stanfords, the penn states, the texas, the washingtons, all get TOP recruits coming out of highschool. Dave is LUCKY to get a recruit in the top 20 let alone the top 10. He makes players like emily (she was in the thirties or fourties I beleive) Into great players. It really shows how strong of a team hawaii is that they can compete with these teams, and not have top recruits.
For “nana lololelle” In what other sport would a school like UH compete with Stanford and Penn State??? None.
Stop having unrealistic expectations.
I am really excited about a foreign player (Maglio) finally playing for UH next season. I think Foreign is the way to go for UH to compete with the Stanfords , Texas’s Penn States.
I hope the next UH coach understands that and has lots of foreign contacts to recruit.
I really hate the “fans” Who turn on the wahine after they lose. Its ridiculous and shows you arent a true fan and dont know the game
Did Shoji mention what he wanted to do with the remaining scholarships? maybe a few transfers.
Someone like Kan would be great .
Dear Nana K, Why not just stop watching the matches if the Wahine are so inferior. The teams you mentioned get the cream of the crop recruits. Dave has mostly had to take and make do with recruits who have potential and need to be developed and have not been offered from the schools you mentioned plus, USC, UCLA,Cal, and other prestigious universities . This is a much more difficult task for Coach Shoji and his staff compared to other teams. He also needs to convince Mainlanders to come at least to 2500 miles away from home. He has done an amazing job considering the handicaps he has coached under. I wish he would never retire! And I know that the vast majority of the fans recognize what he has accomplished and applaud him for what he has done for womens volleyball.
I hope Hartong considers playing beach volleyball, not only because I want to see her play for UH again and maybe win a beach championship but also because it would help her passing and backrow play tremendously (like it helped Kim Hill) .
Emily really needs a lot of work on that if she wants to play for the national team.
20. I know its like someone complaining about UH football not being able to compete with Alabama and Ohio State. The fact we can beat those teams in preseason is amazing in itself.
21. I agree. If emily can work on her passing and backrow play, she would be an even greater force. I see her making the national team though. Probably wont start, but she has the skills to make it and maybe start in the future
22. It shows how GREAT a coach dave is. He MAKES all americans. Teams like texas, penn state, stanford, usc, ucla. They recruit all americans, and just keep them at that. They dont improve them like dave does. I mean look at Hewitt. She was not even in the top 50 for recruits. (I beleive she was in the 100) And she made 2nd team and led the nation in blocks. Dave makes Volleyball players.
23. I know she was thinking of going pro but actually if she plays beach, improves her game and THEN impresses with the US national team this summer, she could land a very good contract with a pro team after that.
25. I agree. I thought mita had a chance, but this season she just did not impress me. She deserved all region, but there are so many better setters than her, BUT higgins will be a force, and I can see her making AA next year. Shes a LEADER and almost beat uiato out this year
The Wahine had an overall great season … no injuries, no illnesses, and some amazing volleyball all together constitutes a pretty darn good season. Sure, the BYU loss was a tough one, but it’s what the coaches and girls do with that loss moving forward, that will set them on a new path.
Now it’s time to set our “fan-atic” eyes on to the Sand season and support and cheer on the Sand team in there new Stadium!! It’ll be interesting to see the new and returning players in action again, who from the indoor team plays and how the pairs match up.
As always, GO BOWS!!!
Very excited about the beach season and men’s season which starts in just three weeks!!!
Mainland gal any idea who some of the duos are?
#27 On Friday which watching the match I was thinking that it was amazing that Hawaii did not have any injuries. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to bachi 🙂
I read that Emily Hartong played (started??) in every match in her collegiate career. Did that happen before? Amazing! No injuries, no illness (or maybe she played through it)…just another reason why we will miss Emily.
Why does a elite volleyball program like Hawaii have to concede the top players to BCS elites. If UH is one of the “Mecca ” of women volleyball, why isn’t the program aggressively recruiting the elite players? Is Coach Shoji tired? Really the first thing that older coaches complain about is going on the road to recruit. The allure of BCS schools isn’t the same for women volleyball as it is for football. I understand the academic lure of a Stanford or UCLA but come on most players want to play on a national stage like Hawaii’s.
YUP. All Americans are nice, but I’d take a championship team without all americans on it any day. And for the record, its a broken record to keep saying…UH cannot get the elite players…UH and every other non top elite programs. Too bad so sad. Missourri had two local products that lost badly in the semi regionals, but what they were able to achieve prior is outstanding… did UH recruit either of them? Anyhow la de da ing and puffing UH up is not going to make our blockers block the ball. Or our RS hit into the net or angle out. Or our passing to be spot on. Get players that are so cinfident, noting phases them when its game time. Get players with nerves of steel and the IQ of a MENSA member, then La De Da all you like.
otherwise I’m going to assume you are just part of the public relations team for UH sports.
Looking fwd for 2014 already. Maybe there’s a surprise transfer out there thinking of coming in. To bad they don’t have beach volleyball on tv.
Schools like Stanford and Penn St. Get the cream of the crop is because their school is far superior to UH. If you had a child that was offerred a full scholarship to Stanford, USC or Hawaii where would you like them to go? Bet 9 out of 10 chooses mainland. Same if a business had to choose a worker with equal GPA’s. I think the Stanford diploma would outweigh UH. Sorry if the truth bothers some people.
I am a UH supporter for VB, football and men’s basketball. I wi continue to go and support them so don’t think I’m not a fan.
34. Exactly! These girls don’t only think of volleyball when choosing a school. They think of academics. I would chose stanford in a heartbeat honestly (if I wasn’t such a huge wahine fan). Plus you have to see that hawaii is in the middle of the ocean. Some of these girls don’t want to go that far away, they would rather stay closer to home. Hawaii can try all they want at recruiting, but stanford, penn state, Texas, usc will always beat them.
Beat them in recruiting, not playing wise
31. really tired of the ‘broken record’ regarding recruiting.
UH goes after the top recruits. They often choose not to come for a variety of reasons, academics, prestige of playing for another school, distance from the mainland, wanting to play near family. Logan Tom wouldn’t even make a recruiting visit because she knew if she did, she’d play for UH. Her heart was set on playing for Stanford and not even having family here and spending every summer here changed that.
UH is at a huge disadvantage in many areas, from geography to financially. That they have maintained such a strong program through it all, including no BCS money, is a credit to Shoji and the fans.
so Brandon, it doesn’t matter how hard UH recruits someone. Cant force them to sign. Nikki Taylor nearly went to Nebraska, where she had other family. She chose to stay home because of the coaching, fan support and playing in front of family.
37. That’s what I said haha. Uh could try all they want to recruit a girl like Lexi sun, but chances are she won’t come here
19. All Shoji said was he had solid players returning, the recruits were mostly raw. Don’t know people keep hoping for transfers, especially Kan. Don’t think that is happening.
36. you also said ‘beat them in recruiting. after giving reasons for why they can’t
Read the recent Sports Illustrated article about Texas and the magnificent athletic palace it is able to build with alumni donations and BCS money. Yes, it does not guarantee a top football team, the whole point of the story, but it sure helps with lesser sports like Women’s basketball. It is totally naive to say that such funding disparities does not make a difference. Yes, Hawaii is in a unique situation because of its ardent fan support and being the only Division I volleyball team making a profit. That is why Hawaii is a consistent AVCA top 25 team. However, it cannot overcome a lack of academic prestige of schools like Stanford, USC, Penn State, and even Washington nor the BCS funding such schools receive. That’s the reality folks. In recent years, I think Kanani Danielson was the only top five recruit for Hawaii in the past ten years. It is not unusual for a Penn State, Texas, USC, or Nebraska to have two or three top ten recruits in any one year. Face it, this will never happen for Hawaii.
I said penn state, Texas, will beat them in recruiting but not playing wise.
Cindy,
Any word on if UH is bidding to host any regionals in the near future?
43. I believe the 2014 and 2015 regional locations have even set already and uh isn’t one of them
Oops, re #41, I meant women’s volleyball not basketball.
36. thanks for the insights glad, Nikki chose UH over Nebraska. I noticed her best friend is Kira Larson from Nebraska earlier.
by the way UH men are rated 13th in avca preseason poll, i think that’s a little low. expected them to be in the top 10.
I’m guessing Nebraska is most likely hosting both years and possibly hosting the final four too..
46. Agree. their losses were to top 10 teams and most of them were in 5. They had quality wins and are a top ten team
46. see new thread for men’s vb
47 you can look on NCAA.com for future host sites
43. haven’t heard about putting in a bid. It requires money that UH might not have.
Lexington, KY — Memorial Coliseum
Austin, TX — Gregory Gym
San Diego, CA — Jenny Craig Pavilion
Des Moines, IA — Wells Fargo Arena
These are the 2015 regional sites
1. yes some of the indoor will play sand. don’t know that they’ve set teams yet
2. That’s what Shoji said when asked about moving Taylor to the left. They have Passi. But as I wrote above. he said they’d look at it in spring practice with the players who are here.
Per Marilyn, the Women’s AD, Hawaii has put in a bid for 2015, 2016, & 2017. Hawaii did not win the bid for 2015. Hopefully, they will win the bid for either 2016, or 2017. Even more hopeful, Dave Shoji will still be around. It would be a good way for him to go out.
re#54. One must think that it is unusual to project a 5’10” hitter on the right and a 6’3″ hitter on the left. Usually it’s the opposite. The right-side hitter usually faces opponents top left side hitters so blocking skills are considered a premium. However, I understand Shoji’s thinking; he said that Taylor is the only outside who has the potential to match Hartong’s 4 to 5 kills a set. Passi can jump and had good blocking stats at College of Southern Idaho.
Victoria Prince is 6 months prego.She looks really slim and trim and her hair is now brown…..TMZ.com
55. UH’s offense has the lefts hit twice, once on the right; the Opp hits twice right, once left.
don’t know if they’ll keep that offense. We’ll see what happens in spring
Trying to figure why Kevin Federline is still in the celebrity gossip columns. His marriage to Britney Spears was ages ago. However, nice to hear about Victoria Prince, one of my all-time favorite Wahine volleyball player. One of the best slides in the history of the game according to some coaches.
For the Annie Mitchem watchers she was Orange Empire Conference MVP and named an All American.
if she qualifies, expect to see her in 2015
She sure has some nice stats, 3.46 K/set, .436hitting % and 1.61 Blk/set
21. I don’t think Hartong is going to play sand this year. She is finishing her degree, looking at playing pro, and will join the national team at some point. As for predicting she won’t be a starter … long time between now the 2016 Olympics to determine who will start.
If Annie Mitchem does qualify for 2015, and she does come here. That 2015 team is going to be scary good. Not to mention the 2016 team.
55. thank you steve/steven/laura
OH no how did that person find it’s way back here?
Wow congrats to V prince, her daughter is adorable.
63, that’s too bad with Hartong I think the beach team can win the championship, and it would really help her passing.
58. Cindy, I noticed in a few matches, where Nikki would be on the right, and Olevao on the left, before the opposing team would serve. Then while the serve is in the air, Nikki and Olevao would switch, so that Nikki is hitting on the left, and Olevao is hitting on the right. Did you notice that also?
66. Hey Warriorfan, I behave once the Wahine Season is over. Just do not behave when once they start practicing again, in August and thru their Season. I just get to agitated once the Wahine season starts, for this blog. 🙂
67. they do have a sense of humor. T-shirt with Juan Moore and No. 6 as in Federine’s sixth child
66. short leash. allowed the posts today. who knows about tomorrow
I think by Hartong not playing Sand, this past year, did hurt her a little bit, in her receiving and passing. BUT I can understand why Shoji did not want her playing Sand, this past year.
73. it wasn’t Shoji’s decision. Hartong sat out to rest an injury. which is why she wasn’t with the national team this past summer
Shannan McCready Punahou grad will be a senior for ASU and probably a starter at Libero as they graduate all three other L/DS on their roster. ASU will be a very strong team next year and will probably end up on the top half of the Pac12. Shoji almost always bring in teams for the three tournaments with Hawaii senior ties. I scanned the 12 or so top conferences and couldn’t come up with more schools. Anymore out there?
75. all he said was he was still working on the schedule and should have it done next month. KNow Penn State was contacted but they are involved in a conference vs. conference thing. I know Rose would like to come back.
wow I hope PSU comes. they would be a huge boost to the rpi.
75. I know Chelsea Keoho is at Colorado and Misty Maa at Miami? Juliana Behrens at Manhattan ( but i hope they are not invited)
77. don’t think Penn State is for this year. Rose said there was a conflict.
I do know that if Shoji announced that he was retiring … whoever … there are a number of coaches who would want to be part of his final season
77. Chelsea Keoho and Misty Maa are both juniors in 2014. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t consider schools like Manhattan with their competition and RPI level, even with a local senior on the roster.
78. CL. In that case Shoji should stick around and schedule Penn St for 2015, both coaches play their final match against each other and retire together after the 2015 season. jkl.
72. A proverb comes to mind…fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
the talk about RPI reminded of something Shoji said.
said that the fact that no SEC team of their 7 made it out of the second round should be something the selection committee should look at. And that he thought American was a good team.
79.Thought they were seniors, wouldn’t mind colorado and Miami at all though, both should be ncaa teams again next season.
82. Another reason for Shoji to stick around for the 2015 season, besides scheduling Penn St. Schedule for 2015 both Colorado and Miami for the pre-season tournaments for the Keoho and Maa family and friends. Lisa would surely approve, yes?
How about inviting Missouri down the line? It would be great to have Carly Kan and Loxley Keala play in front of a Hawaii crowd before they graduate. Proud of Kan’s success this season. I was hoping the team went a little bit further in the NCAA tourney.
Remember this.
Sports-It’s just entertainment.
53. Cindy – No duos for Sand are set yet. Still a lot of time before their first tourney in March. UH is hosting 2 or 3 tourney’s this upcoming season though. Nice to see the program growing right along with the talent. Excited UH Sand Volleyball Season ahead!!
86. Mi—–e. Any names of indoor players joining?
86. no duos set. They did have a short fall camp but didn’t use any indoor players obviously.
They are really trying to use more sand-only players for that season. Although most of the indoor will do some sand training. not sure who is going to cross over.
they have 14 players listed on the sand roster. They only need to field 5 pairs for matches.
87. mauna: indoor players won’t join until after the Christmas break. Jan/Feb will be busy months for the Sand team … lots of exciting talent already on the team. Should be an amazing season!! GO BOWS!!!
89. M. I’m guessing Ginger, Tai, Sarah, Ashley and maybe one more. On or off?