It was very unfortunate for Long Beach to lose in 5 and 14-16 in the 5th. That is of course a chance you take in participating in the NIVT as a 12-16 squad. It took Robyn two years to build her team and now in her third year her vision is coming to fruition. I’m excited to see the impact that Tuaniga has for the…Sharks(?) next year. I’m hoping for a successful year for Joy & her staff next year…but of course losing to Hawaii…twice.

On another note, I’m really excited that we are hosting a sub-regional again! It is hard to believe that the last time we hosted was 2013. However, with our talented underclassmen, promising recruits, and amazing coaching staff, we will continue to host for years to come. Maybe someday a regional!

If UH wins Friday, there will be a guarantee sellout. It’s for a spot in the Elite 8 and it’s against a better opponent.

Hope they sell out both nights but got to be realistic. Northern Colorado just doesn’t have an appeal. Senior night was a big night because of the special night and the love-hate relationship UH have with LBSU.

1. 5 teams have had undefeated seasons: LBSU (1998), Nebraska (2000), USC (2003), PSU (2008, 2009); won’t happen this year. In the NCAA era, UH has finished the season with one loss 3 times (1982, 1995, 2004)

2. Stanford has lost 8 championship matches, including one to UH (1987). Stanford has also won 8 titles and participated in 22 final fours

3. Texas of the Big12 won the 2012 title by sweeping Oregon

4. Once, in 2008, did all 4 seeds make the final four: #1 Penn St, #2 Stanford, #3 Texas, #4 Nebraska (aka the usual suspects)

5. 3 unranked teams made the final four: BYU in 2014, Michigan in 2012, and Santa Clara in 2005; BYU lost in the title match to Penn St.

6. In 2009, #1 Penn St. beat #2 Texas 3-2; this was also the year of UH’s last final four appearance. #1 vs. #2 also occurred in 2002 and 2008, with #1 winning those times as well

7. 5 times has the #1 selection RPI team received the #1 seed: Baylor (2019), Stanford (2018), Penn St. (2017), Stanford (2014), Florida (2010); only Stanford (2018) went on to win the title (Baylor tbd). Another interesting factoid, from 2000 to 2009, the #1 seed appeared in the title game 9 times and won 8 titles; from 2010 to 2018, #1 seed has appeared in the title game once, last year, with Stanford winning. Being the #1 seed isn’t what it used to be

8. 3 times has UH been seeded higher than its selection RPI: 2008, #7 seed despite #12 RPI; 2009, 12 seed & 18 RPI; 2013, 11 seed & 17 RPI. Bet you didn’t see that coming. UH has had a lower seed vs. RPI 3 times and been unranked the other 6 times. Interestingly, except for 2012, UH was seeded every year from 2000 to 2013. Since 2014, UH has been seeded only once, this year

9. The last non-champion most outstanding player: Destinee Hooker of Texas in 2009; Penn St. won the title

10. 2 times has a top 4 seed lost in the subregionals: Nebraska #2 in 2011 (the infamously stacked Honolulu regional) and Missouri #4 in 2013 (Carly Kan’s freshman year). Another interesting factoid, only twice have all 16 seeds won their subregionals (2001 and 2003)

CINDY’S BONUS: In 2002, #12 seed Penn St. lost to Temple 3-1 in the second round, 17 years ago…what’s worse, 2002 was the last time Temple made the tournament, and the Owls’ win over Penn St. was its last tourney victory…talk about irony

Go Bows!

For playing professionally, health is the #1 priority. Jeoperdizing a professional career by returning from injury too soon is dumb. (Especially applicable if I experienced the same injury 9 times.)