Hawaii volleyball: Rainbow Wahine add Anna Kiraly, Warriors officially sign 3, T25 scores

Anna Kiraly of Hungary has signed with UH women's volleyball. / Photo courtesy UH athletics

Hawaii has signed a second Rainbow Wahine volleyball player.

She is 6-3 middle Anna Kiraly from Hungary, the first Wahine ever from that country. She helped lead her Godolloi Roplabda Club team to the Central Hungarian Regional Championship 1st place in 2017; U21 Hungarian Championship 2nd place in 2019; and the U19 Hungarian Championship 3rd place in 2017,’19. She is a two-time Hungarian Championship “All star tournament team player” (’18 U19, ’19 U21) and was named her club’s Player of the Year in 2018. Kiraly also earned the U19 Hungarian Championship “Best player of the tournament” award in 2019. Kiraly has played eight matches with the Hungarian Youth National Team and earned a spot on the Senior National Team roster.

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The Rainbow Warriors signed three, with a player from Greece likely next week and potentially two more at some point.

UH’s release about Makua Marumoto, Austin Buchanan and Jack Walmer
Click here


Warriors concluding fall practice in Gym 1
The Rainbow Warriors in a scrimmage on Thursday. / Photo by Cindy Luis

Good morning all. In Gym 1 with men at 6 a.m.
For the first time, we’re going to be doing a preseason special for men’s volleyball a la Wahine 8-pager. Warriors finish out their 20 hours of fall this week, head to Kauai for clinic on Friday. Doing early photo shoot.

Very spirited practice. A vs. B. Scrimmage 1. B rallies to win 26-24. James Anastassiades serves last 2 points and he ends it on an X play.


MVB schedule also should be announced today as well as NLIs for men, SandBows and Wahine indoor.

Mira Costa setter Jack Walmer, 6-3, signed his paperwork this morning (Thursday)
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Top 25 results Wednesday
No. 1 Texas def. Kansas State, 25-18, 25-16, 25-17
No. 3 Baylor def. Kansas, 25-19, 26-24, 25-18
No. 6 Nebraska def. Michigan State, 25-20, 25-18, 25-23
No. 23 MIchigan def. Iowa, 25-16, 25-20, 25-18
____
Top 25 schedule Thursday
No. 7 Wisconsin (A) def No. 5 Minnesota, 25-22, 23-25, 30-28.29-27
No. 12 Colorado State (H) def. Utah State, 25-15, 25-22, 25-13
No. 19 Western Kentucky (H) def. Louisiana Tech, 25-16, 25-19, 25-21
No. 21 Rice (A) def. UTSA, 25-10, 25-13, 25-17

COMMENTS

  1. blunite November 14, 2019 7:32 am

    Good to know the passing is being addressed. Would like to see the serving addressed as well. NI virtually turned games around with her brilliant serving.

    Of course players can improve, I recall that Nikki developed her serve while playing sand VB. Not sure if indoor players still have that avenue to improve.


  2. Cindy Luis November 14, 2019 7:48 am

    1. not sure what you mean about passing being improved.
    don’t remember saying anything about it.
    as for beach … indoor still can join beach but it is hard for anyone to play two sports especially since spring indoor overlaps with beach, not fair to either team nor the player. Takes special athletes, like a Maglio, to be able to handle both and academics.
    Iosia will be playing beach again. Don’t think any of the other graduating players will do.
    Have heard nothing about any other underclassmen trying to do both.


  3. blunite November 14, 2019 8:03 am

    2. Was referring to the invited L/DS walk-on from Texas. RO is the primary passer on the team. When she leaves KH presumably will take her place, but coach can never have enough skilled secondary passers.

    Sand VB might work for JR’s rehabilitation, if she is up to it. The pounding on the ankle (from jumping) is not as severe. (Although there is a lot of sliding.). It would also provide her opportunities to improve her serve.


  4. jm2375 November 14, 2019 8:27 am

    Hawai’i All-Decade (2010-2019) Team Presented by Off the Block
    Setter: Joe Worsley
    Opposite: Jonas Umlauft
    Outside attacker: Stijn van Tilburg
    Outside attacker: Sinisa Zarkovic
    Middle attacker: Taylor Averil
    Middle attacker: Patrick Gasman
    Libero: Larry “Tui” Tuileta
    Bench: Rado Parapunov
    Bench: Brook Sedore
    Bench: Joshua Walker

    Not much to argue about this list. This is the first list that OTB needed to add “Bench” players. Too many great players. 😀 😀 😀

    Anxiously awaiting the release of the schedule and the remaining signings. RELOADING, not REBUILDING.


  5. AdmrVT November 14, 2019 8:34 am

    Jm2375: How can U leave Costas off the list?


  6. jm2375 November 14, 2019 8:40 am

    #5 – wrong decade. Costas played in the last decade. This list is only for players on the 2010-19 teams (i.e, Charlie Wade’s teams)


  7. Sheila November 14, 2019 8:49 am

    Jolie laid the foundation for season-2019 and got ranked top 10 through impressive offence. But the current team performance is very different, well balanced with depth in offence/defense, and knows to survive barely against better teams although unimpressively. IMO, recovering Jolie (~75% Jolie factor) will not add more to this team other than being another reserve player for brief change ups, and instead it is better to fix minor deficiencies for this final stretch for reachable milestone, quarterfinals. Two suggestions: 1) If Gong is eligible for post-season, wish to see her action in the final stretch instead of freshman Kyra. Both Gong and Kyra are the same level (mediocre) at their back-row duties but Gong had shown some magic in serve spells last year and rarely HELP the opponents. Every point counts and not too late to fix it. 2) Riley’s overall contribution (particularly, digging & blocking) is way above par than a typical freshman. She is a good defensive player with good digging skills while in both back and front row. But need to work on gathering attacking mode bit QUICKER while on duty in front row (i.e. BVS’s specialty).


  8. UHVoice97 November 14, 2019 9:56 am

    4. How’s about adding an Honorable Mention: Kolby Kanetake?

    He’s the reason the UH p.a. announcer started announcing “first pass” and “digs” for Warrior and Wahine games.


  9. Kaimukian November 14, 2019 10:06 am

    It’s good to see that we signed two setters on the men’s team. Do you know if we are planning on landing another recruit on the women’s team? So far I only saw the one from yesterday’s blog.


  10. Kaimukian November 14, 2019 10:07 am

    Referring to setters in my previous post, thanks


  11. jm2375 November 14, 2019 10:18 am

    #8. Here’s the link: http://www.offtheblockblog.com/2019/11/off-the-block-announces-hawaii-all-decade-starting-lineup/

    OTB is doing this for all the DI-DII teams throughout this offseason. Like I said, this is the first list I’ve seen where they had more than 7 players. Even UCLA had only 7 players on the list and chucked the Libero for “Utility” so they could include JT Hatch.
    Let’s see how many they put on the LBSU list.

    Welcome to the new Warriors. I’ve met Buchanan and Marumoto. Not sure if I’ve met Walmer.

    GO WARRIORS!
    GO WAHINE!


  12. diamonds808 November 14, 2019 10:40 am

    Welcome to the newest Warriors joining us in 2021! Excited for the 2020 season to begin.


  13. Don November 14, 2019 10:56 am

    How can Jennings be left off this list? He’s now playing professionally and has worked out for the US National Team…Not sure who decided this list, but leaving Jennings off is a major snub to one of the best setters UH has had in years.


  14. UHVoice97 November 14, 2019 11:29 am

    11. Thanks for the link. Outstanding list. Like you mentioned, too many great players throughout the years. The Costas years included his classmates Eyal Zimet and Tony Ching and setter Kimo Tuyay.

    13. See 11’s link. It contains OTB’s criteria for their selections. Jennings has my vote for UH All-Decade team. Remember his ESPN SportsCenter #1 highlight one-hand block solo? I was among the thousands in attendance that night!


  15. Optimist November 14, 2019 11:51 am

    Re: Jolie
    I believe that Jolie has a synergistic effect for the Wahine as a team, not 1+1=2, but 1+1=3 or more. In addition to her physical talents and volleyball IQ, her emotion, enthusiasm, confidence, leadership, etc. has a contagious effect that when she was playing made everyone else better (maybe an lilltle bit of an overstatement, but you get the idea). Especially the new players or players with larger roles than last year; maybe they react just a little bit quicker. jump a little higher, hit a little harder, a lilltle bit more confident, have more fun, etc.
    So if she fortunate to return this year that’s what she brings even if she is not “100” percent (who is).
    That being said, I already stated in an earlier thread that the team as is can beat any other team on a given day.


  16. Cindy Luis November 14, 2019 12:13 pm

    3. thanks for the clarification
    4. thanks for info from OTB. Hadn’t received anything from Vinnie Lopes
    9. have mentioned a couple of times Wahine signing two.
    They will have a release on both this afternoon.


  17. NotNasti November 14, 2019 12:23 pm

    #7. I think Kyra is a Junior.


  18. kahuna November 14, 2019 12:32 pm

    Awesome that we got Austin. Beating out USC, UCLA(coached by US national team HC), Stanford and Pepperdine is quite the accomplishment.

    Even though Austin was pursued by these big time schools, I kind of had the feeling that he would come because he visited here twice in the last two years. I just happened to see him two season ago with his mom and dad and also last year again..this time wearing UH gear. Glad we got two big time setters.


  19. H-Man November 14, 2019 12:54 pm

    UH Athletics’ Wahine VB recruit post is up.


  20. Cindy Luis November 14, 2019 12:58 pm

    19. yep, updated in main box


  21. Crazy4WVB November 14, 2019 1:20 pm

    Wow! Cindy do you know if they have any scholarships left?


  22. Maverick November 14, 2019 1:24 pm

    21. one, assumed to be reserved for a setter (I assume through the transfer portal)


  23. Sheila November 14, 2019 1:31 pm

    15 Agree. Good point. Even if recovered only 50% & not ready to play, having Jolie with volleyball attire at sideline of next two matches will energize the team and lift up enthusiasm of fans.


  24. blunite November 14, 2019 1:58 pm

    6 MBs: Cindy mentioned BA moving to OH, but that still leaves 5 MBs. Are we looking at another MB switching to OH? (TW perhaps?)


  25. Maverick November 14, 2019 2:02 pm

    24. Does it matter right now? I’m more concerned about how this team finishes out 2019 before looking to 2020.


  26. WaveRipper November 14, 2019 2:02 pm

    *** Wow, Anna KIRALY. First thing that came to my mind is, of course, Karch Kiraly. Unlikely, but any possible relationship to the great American (of Hungarian descent) UCLA volleyball player and current head coach of the United States women’s national volleyball team?


  27. uhfan November 14, 2019 2:06 pm

    We have 2 injury prone OH’s and will be thin at the position next year but sure let’s get another MB. Is Westerberg converting to OH next year or something? She looks like a great get on paper though.


  28. blunite November 14, 2019 2:15 pm

    Impressed.

    25. Yes, I inappropriately expected success this weekend; however, Dave Shoji seems to think the Wahine sealed their NCAA invitation bid with the win over UCSB.

    Still, I was probably off the mark regarding TW. Even money has AK switching to OH or OPP, giving the Wahine 3 potential terminators. JR and AK on the left and HH on the right.


  29. Cindy Luis November 14, 2019 3:01 pm

    21. they graduate 5, one is a grad student (Choy) and one a walkon.
    assume there is one left and guessing that would be a setter.
    transfer portal opens, i think, in december after ncaa tournament is done.
    7. Hanawahine is a junior. Gong is cleared to play, seen a little action.
    24. they talked early that Akana would be trained on the outside during spring. Used her a little this season out of necessity. Westerberg under consideration at OH as well.
    25. agree it doesn’t matter now.
    26. my thought as well, not a common name. Karch’s dad originally from Hungary so likely distant relative.
    27. Ah Mow recruits athletes who can play multiple positions.
    28. pretty much agreed with that then, wrote as much since the sweep of UCSB gave Hawaii the tiebreaker.
    think Westerberg has a better shot at Opp than Akana, more of a Nikki Taylor type.


  30. jm2375 November 14, 2019 3:13 pm

    ok, UCLA’s All-Decade team also has 3 “Bench” players. oops.

    Warriors getting another Greek? cool.


  31. tongo November 14, 2019 3:23 pm

    Anna looks like a great addition to the team. She is listed at 187-188 cm or 6’2″. Her posted videos shows her pretty much hitting only as a middle attacker. I thought the rumored European recruit was going to be a OH? Does she hit from the outside? Regardless, welcome Anna!


  32. 808 November 14, 2019 3:49 pm

    I remember a player letting it slip last year that there might be someone from Hungary coming in this year. But then there was only Hanna from Sweden. I wonder if Anna was the one that was being recruited but maybe something hit a snag and she deferred until next year.


  33. hawaiinei November 14, 2019 4:05 pm

    Hi Cindy,

    What about Nika Danielson? Could she be coming to Hawai’i? I believe she can set as well as play DS/OH. She didn’t commit yesterday.


  34. Cindy Luis November 14, 2019 6:40 pm

    33. don’t know. 5-7. She’s listed as an OH/Ds on her recruiting profile


  35. Baby-Dude November 14, 2019 6:41 pm

    Need a setter now. I think Robyn and her staff have all the other positions covered with the players she has now, something that we won’t know until just before the start of the 2020 season.


  36. Big Island Volleyball Fan November 14, 2019 7:01 pm

    26. I was going to post the same question but then I read yours. I don’t think that Karch had a brother. Maybe Karch’s dad had a brother and she is his grand-daughter or even great grand-daughter? Could even be more distant than that like a descendant of Karch’s grandfather. Only way to find out is to ask her next year.

    I once met two girls with the surname of Hagdahl (which is also rare) when they played against Cal Poly many years ago. I asked them if they were related and they found out after they joined the team that they were distant cousins, either second or third I can’t recall. Wow!


  37. darkfire35 November 14, 2019 8:23 pm

    22. Where does UH show what/how many scholarships are available per sport?


  38. WaWa November 14, 2019 9:07 pm

    So if my last name was Lee, could I be related to every Lee in China?

    Even if she’s remotely related to Karch, his accomplishments won’t earn her anything.

    The other types of posts that drive me crazy reading: If GT moves to OH & replaces CR who came from UT that should leave XY to the RP on the DL to the OP of my FU. Just use last names for Goodness sakes. Like Kiraly just signed and we’re already using AK…sorry, that’s been reserved and will always be reserved for Ann Kang.


  39. Ki November 14, 2019 9:25 pm

    38. Thank you. I thought I was the only who was irritated with the initials. Last names are perfect.


  40. Big Island Volleyball Fan November 14, 2019 9:27 pm

    38. Kiraly might be an uncommon name as Cindy said. No, it won’t earn her anything if she’s related to him, but that would explain athletic genes in the family.


  41. Maverick November 14, 2019 9:44 pm

    37. Nowhere official. You have to know who received scholarships over the past four years (start with UH press releases). Five players graduate this year, three on scholarship (Choy, Iosia, Sibley). Ross and Okino (redshirt junior who graduates on time) are not on scholarship. Three scholarships available, two already allotted to Lang and Kiraly. One left for a setter, presumably, since UH only has Lang next year to set.

    38. Finally, someone with the voice of reason.


  42. Maverick November 14, 2019 9:53 pm

    For everyone interested in Kiraly (Hungarian for “king”), did it ever occur to you that the name is common in certain regions of the world and not in Hawaii? Meaning Anna could be one of thousands of Hungarians named Kiraly (most Kiraly are in Hungary, unsurprisingly), and not be related in any meaningful way to Karch? Like WaWa said, just because you have the same name as a ton of other people doesn’t mean you are related to all of them. I guess people need something to talk about. And FYI, I am part Hungarian.


  43. Andy November 14, 2019 10:43 pm

    38 and 42. According to the Forebears website, there are 264 persons with the last name Kiraly in Hungary. According to Wikipedia, there are 92 million persons with the last name Lee in China. Not even in the same ballpark. The when you ask how many of the 264 people with the last name Kiraly have world class volleyball players in their families, that number probably gets you to the point where it isn’t unreasonable to ask whether Anna is related to Karch.


  44. Uncle Fester November 14, 2019 10:54 pm

    38. Remember that Bud Light (I think) commercial about the Lee family reunion? Thanks also for taking on blunite’s penchant for initials. Drove me nuts too.


  45. Maverick November 14, 2019 11:25 pm

    43. What makes you think this website is remotely accurate? Do you believe everything you read on the Internet?


  46. blunite November 14, 2019 11:34 pm

    Initials rarely get you censored, names will from time to time. (Especially non-positive comments.) The next time your comment is “awaiting review” think about that.


  47. Maverick November 15, 2019 12:04 am

    46. You have a point. WaWa was able to get “FU” past the censors in his/her post.


  48. H-Man November 15, 2019 8:21 am

    I learned a tip shot is not allowed to be described as a “d**k” shot. Comment moderated. I didn’t understand why. A little research revealed it was a racial slur. Geez, I thought I knew all the unacceptable slur words. Learn something new all the time.


  49. shar November 15, 2019 10:34 am

    I just read that U of Penn is forfeiting the rest of the season. How does this affect rankings….were they in the top 25?


  50. Sheila November 15, 2019 11:01 am

    49 It is UPenn in Ivy League at (11-10) record having the issue, not Penn State in.Big Ten at 19-4 record


  51. Cindy Luis November 15, 2019 12:31 pm

    https://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=52043
    new thread up for Thursday with Warrior VB schedule
    22. there is no UH site that lists that. Has never been public information.
    45. sorry you feel that way. I try to be as accurate as possible.
    46. don’t remember that one. otherwise it wouldn’t have gotten past.
    48. no idea what your referring to. On this site?
    I cannot block posts. but sometimes they do go on into spam for reasons that I don’t know.
    49. Penn in Ivy. you can always go to avca.com to look up the poll.
    as for the name Kiraly. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who thought about Karch when seeing it. just an observation.


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