Arizona's Magill transferring to Hawaii
Very good guessing all the way around. But needed to hear from her officially.
Olivia Magill, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker who played for Arizona the past two volleyball seasons, is transferring to play for Hawaii this fall, Magill told the Star-Advertiser Monday.
Magill, who led the Wildcats in blocking the past two seasons, has been given her release and is eligible to play immediately. The Fab 50 selection out of Seattle Prep is expected to vie for the starting position now open following last week’s announcement that sophomore Jade Vorster is graduating early and will play at Liberty as a graduate student.
Magill was named to the Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Challenge all-tournament team last September as Arizona finished second to host Hawaii for the championship.
Welcome to the Wahine Olivia!
Thanks Cindy for sharing. Sorry everyone had to pester you about it!
Welcome Olivia! She should make a huge impact in the middle for the wahine and Will make up for the loss in vorster!
Was super impressed with her in Hawaii. Hits hard and is quick and will be a huge asset to the wahine. Glad she picked UH.
and i’m sorry I got so grumpy. this was really the first time the blog drove a story and that’s not how I like to work. It really hinged on her calling back.
“We get a lot of offense out of Olivia; she’s certainly a threat to score all the time,” Rubio said. “I like her composure. … She’s really aggressive; she’s a big-time athlete. If we’re going to shoot for the stars, she’s somebody who has to be on the court for us.”
This was from an Arizona article this past season. Shocked Rubio let her go.
thank u Cindy ! and welcome Olivia!!
I remember her as being Ariz.s best player. Agree with fwf, she can jump and hit and gets to the block quickly. With Scotts coaching and her motivation to prove herself, she could be a star.
I remember how completely underutilized Magill was for Arizona, they went to Croson and Kingdon way too much when Magill was clearly their best hitter.
I hope Higgins sets her a ton, she and Kalei should both be averaging over 2.5 kills per set.
I agree that she was arizonas best player. Madi may have been there go to player, and she was a very good player, but her hitting percentage was not the greatest. Magill hit .335 in the pac 12 while being third on the team in kills and first with blocks. Extremely excited to see her play as a wahine.
Just for info, Olivia was #37 Senior Ace out of high school. She led Arizona in blocks per set and hitting percentage in the past two years. Her mom is Tongan I believe. I may not be exactly accurate, any corrections would be appreciated. Welcome to the NaWahine Ohana, Olivia!
10. Magill was second in hitting percentage her freshman season behind Rhoades but still hit above .328
10. her mother isn’t Tongan, according to Magill. But she did marry a Tongan from Maui. That would be her step-father.
Said she had relatives all around the Hawaii and had visited many times.
I do have more info on her that will be in tomorrow’s paper. gave you what I put online
5. as for Rubio letting her go … his choice was to release her from her scholarship or not. She was leaving regardless. She said she was happy he gave her a release and didn’t have to sit out a year. have never understood a coach who wouldn’t release a player. I do see if it’s within conference to a point.
welcome to Magill !!
i think the better description is that she’ll be an “impact” player …
13. That’s good Rubio gave her the release. Wonder what made her decide to leave. Arizona is a pretty good team, but maybe she just decided she could teach her full potential with shoji
Thanks Brandon and Cindy. Was guessing, her mom’s current last name is Tongan and she does look hapa. But as Shoji says she is a big time player, she’ll be an AA before she’s done here.
I believe Mauna was the first to throw Olivia’s name out there. 🙂
16. Agreed. I fully believe that with shoji and wongs coaching, she can be an AA. Very happy with her and I fully agree with shoji calling her big time
I am also happy Rubio decided to let her play, especially since she chose Hawaii and Shoji allowed Jane to play right away as well. Good for both coaches.
12. thanks for the tidbits Ciny, Hope your story is posted on the blog.
I like this lineup a lot
Greeley and Taylor at OH
Adolpho and Magill at MB
Higgins at Setter
Mendoza and Kahakai at Libero and DS
Aiyana Whitney at Opposite ( I can dream, can’t I?)
It might have been a bit of a reach to call her big-time but the potential definitely is there and hawaii has a rich history of developing talent. And I think you have to consider any one in the Pac-12 was top 10 in blocking a very good get.
How I think the lineup will be
OH1: Nikki Taylor
OH2: kalei Greeley
MB: Olivia and kalei
OPP: passi
Setter: Higgins
Libero: kahakai
19. don’t think that was the reason. but both coaches are good guys who believe in the game and not pettiness.
17, a lot of names out there. wasn’t going to confirm until I spoke to her
Thanks haleiwacrossfitter, yes I was, but I didn’t want to mention it. I’m not the rah-rah type, just really glad UH landed her. The Wahine fans will really embrace her and love her play on the court.
20. That literally made me LOL, literally. hahahaha. That was funny about Whitney. hahaha..still laughing.
22’s line up sound about more accurate 🙂 i would add mendoza tho.
We’ll see how the lineup turns out. Never know what the freshmen will bring.
26. I have Mendoza at a emily maeda 2012. DS that may start games here and there depending on the team. I don’t have tai stating at all. Don’t think she’s ready and from what I’ve seen of passi, she’s the heaviest hitter on the team by far
Here is a link to Arizona vs USC last season. It’s a highlight real, but not all of Magill. It’s of their win, but some nice clips of her. If you want to watch her last year vs. Hawaii, if you go to youtube and search “hawaii vs arizona volleyball” it will show the entire match.
Arizona vs. USC highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6FSraf_9Fk
Man…watching that replay vs Arizona, Kalei really does have more potential in vball if she just stuck it out with only volleyball, I think she would be scary good.
pester…to annoy or bother in a repeated way.
so, i did ask to make the call once this day and i am pestering….?
someone who keeps bringing up the “guess who it is” posts is more of a pest.
me, i was just excited to know who it was that would be transferring. just like hundreds of others here who may lurk and never post at all.
but, hey thank you cindy and more importantly a huge welcome to ms. magill!
guess this is a payback from the Arizona coach for jane croson.
32. I would not guess that at all.
31. Then I apologize because someone else named Al emailed me off the blog several times wanting to know. but posting ‘so make the call’ after i said I had and was waiting on her to call me back was annoying.
#32 Don’t think its payback … UH definitely got the better player!! Welcome to UH Olivia!!
hey mainlandgal or Cindy or anyone that knows, does Olivia plan on playing for the beach team as well?
Exciting news! Thank you Cindy for confirming it and letting us know.
cindy…now i know why you were upset. i would be too. rest assured that was not me. i have never emailed you nor do i even know your email addy.
Sad to see Jade go, but excited to see Olivia join the Wahine! Along with the other new players coming aboard, the season can’t come soon enough. Excited to see the 2012 AVCA Junior College Player of the Year bombing from opposite. Oh yeahhh…
Much appreciated Cindy 🙂
36. meant to ask. didn’t.. cell connection not the greatest.
Next year Hawaii will have six sand scholarships as Wong moves more toward all sand dedicated players.
There are 5 crossover players from indoor. Longo has one more year of sand is she decides to stay. So the entire team from this year is back with the exception of Cook.
Thank you Cindy!
21. Definitely a reach to call her big time, but considering her numbers in the PAC-10 and UH’s quality in the middle, Magill is definitely in the mix to start.
28. I believe Maeda started most of the matches in 2012 opposite the setter. The right wing spikers were Goodman and Kastl; I’m pretty sure Maeda started more matches than either of them. She didn’t “start matches here or there.” The only reason she didn’t play a full three rotations was because Shoji subbed her out with Uiato for a backup setter/backup opposite double switch.
Whatever the case, it would be foolish not to use Mendoza extensively whether it’s as a libero or primary DS. Not gonna hail Kahakai until I’ve seen her play. It’s likely Shoji will start her at libero just like his other scholarship back row player, Ka’aihue, who I thought wasn’t that much better than Jayme Lee as a freshman, if she even was.
Wow… just read Kendra Koelsch will be playing indoors too next fall. That’s an added boost for the Wahine. Maybe a 6-2 in the making?
The volleyball gods taketh (Croson) and then they returneth(?) (Magill)
With Koelsch the setting and rightside position got more competitive. She signed an NLI for sand so I’m wondering how all that would work out. She would have to be released from the sand scholarship to play indoors.
Where did you read she will be playing indoors? If she did sign an LOI for sand, she would have to be released of that and if that is the case, is she walking on the indoor team? Can’t see a scholarship available indoors for her.
.47 It’s on On her twitter, and I read she signed a walk on agreement with the sand team or partial scholarship only, so maybe she is able o walk on indoors or get an indoor scholarship instead.
as far as where the scholarships are coming from?? Maybe another player is leaving or my guess is that Megan Huff will be on basketball scholarship.
Someone on VT and here has been claiming for a long time that she was going to play indoors this time it came directly from her.
Also, trying to track scholarships is a waste of time. IMO the program only has a certain amount of athletic scholarships to use but there are many other options available as many of you know. Leave the scholarship business to the coaches.
She is taking Jane’s scholarship.
She is a very good addition to the team. A good blocker like her should be an immediate impact in an area that they were lacking last year.
Just made an observation/comment….anyway, she has great ball handling skills. She will be a great addition to the indoor team.
Hawaii loses 8 players and gains 8 players. Wow
After the rumor of Koelsch was going to play both, I was excited but not surprised. Once I saw her at the UH game on senior night I wondered why a sand recruit would get to be on the court. But great get and can’t wait to see this brand new team.
I saw sitting on the floor Gianasso, Koelsch and an unnamed player, who appears to be taller than Koelsch. Anyone can ID her? This question came up in November.
54. Was just thinking about that, it doesn’t appear to have been Greeley, Huff, Castillo or Maglio.. I think it was Lara Schreiber, fellow sand recruit from Germany. Kind of looked like her anyway.
anyone wanna guess who will be on a volleyball scholarship next year?
incoming freshman
kahakai
maglio
huff
greeley
returnees
taylor
passi
higgins
goodman
long
manu-olevao
transfer
magill
I can’t imagine anyone else receiving a scholarship which makes me wonder if they ended up having koelsch sign an indoor scholarship or if they’re saving it for 2015 with granato castillo and a “possibility” of mitchem joining the girls. kalei will be the only senior and she isn’t on a volleyball scholarship. it’ll be interesting how things turn out in the next year.
55. fwf, hey it is her. I’ve seen pics of her when her name came up as a sand recruit but didn’t connect with the video on Senior night. Thanks, mystery ID recruit solved.
For those interested, the UH tentative home schedule for the tournaments
Aug 29 5:00 Ohio vs San Diego St
——– 7:30 Hawaii vs Arizona St
Aug 31 3:00 Arizona St vs San Diego St
——– 5:30 Hawaii vs Ohio
Sep 01 5:00 Hawaii vs San Diego St
Sep 04 5:00 Oregon vs St. Johns
——– 7:30 Hawaii vs New Mexico
Sep 05 5:00 St. Johns vs New Mexico
——– 7:30 Hawaii vs Oregon
Sep 06 1:00 Hawaii vs St. Johns
——– 3:00 Oregon vs New Mexico
Sep 11 5:00 UCLA vs San Francisco
——– 7:30 Hawaii vs Utah St.
Sep 12 5:00 Utah St vs San Francisco
——– 7:30 Hawaii vs UCLA
Sep 14 5:00 Hawaii vs San Francisco
Big West starts for UH on Oct 3 vs Fullerton
Makes me wonder if Schreiber is gonna join Guinasso and Koelsch on the indoor team as well (assuming Lara was the third recruit sitting on the court senior night)
It’s a banner recruiting class for Scott though, Schrieber and Guinasso appear to be REALLY good on the beach, maybe future NCAA pairs champions ( if Scott pairs them up)
re 57. Really hope UCLA and Oregon return back to the top 10 next season and that Deitre’s team gets back in the top 30, for RPI’s sake.
Although reading volley talk, it’s doubtful UCLA will even be top 25 next season, with Moenoa’s injury and Stauber transferring again. Anyone know where she is headed?
57 mauna
do you have the dates for the LBSU/Irvine road trip ?
Stauber is transferring again?
62. Yes. That’s why sealey brought in two new transfers
FWIW, women’s volleyball is a “head count” sport, meaning all scholarships are full (not partials). Max. 12. There were 6 seniors this past year, and 4 “official” recruits coming in 2014. Two scholies apparently not awarded, and being “saved” for the two 2015 verbal commits.
Maglio takes Vorster’s (#7). Per #50, Koelsch is getting Jane’s in switching from sand to indoor. Per rule, no player with a sand scholie can play indoor.
There are 6 returnees if I count right – Higgins (so.), Taylor (so.), Olevao (jr.), Long (jr.), Passi (jr.) and Goodman (RFr). No scholarship seniors this coming year.
64. Wouldn’t Magill take Vorsters?
LC, they only have the tentative home dates with the renewal fliers, Irvine Oct 4 and Beach Nov 7. Irvine and Beach sites may have their home schedule posted.
#65 – correction, yes Magill takes Vorsters. Maglio is one of the 4 recruits coming in.
#67 – for consideration for 2015, besides Granato and Castillo, how about Annie Mitchem??
64. Passi is NOT on scholorship right now. The deal was she would pay her first year, and if Dave decided to give her a scholorship, she would get one
UCSB, probably UH’s biggest conference rival next year, just lost Formico to UCLA. That will hurt.
re, 70 .
The dink queens didn’t have Formico all of last season!
They lost their one hitter (thompson) that gave UH fits anyway so I am not worried about them.
Maybe Long will be sand-only, get a scholarship there, freeing up an indoor scholarship. I don’t see her contributing this year.
72. Actually not a bad idea on Long’s part she definitely has a future on the beach. She could be a pro beach player after her college career.
73/74 – also seeing Tai being benched as well… or used as back up… unless she improved in leaps & bounds over the break.
Yeah, Tai and Ginger are good D2 players or maybe lower level D1, but not making much of an impact on top tier D1…YET. They still can, but they really do need to work hard to get there. They have the potential, that is why Dave gave them scholarships, but they now need to earn it. I wish them the best in this off season to get there and prove us all wrong and kick some butt next season.
wow, you folks are unbelievable sometimes. If they weren’t DI players, they wouldn’t have been recruited by an elite DI volleyball program such as UH. as for the only reason Shoji gave them a scholarship was because of the potential … isn’t that the case for every athlete? just because you were great in high school doesn’t mean you will be in college.
no sense arguing with anyone here.
you’re either damned if you and damned if you don’t. apparently they know volleyball better than any other person in this world, including dave shoji
Actually, I do think Dave has a history of recruiting project players. As we all know, he does go after the top recruits, but obviously they don’t want to all play here. So he has to go after project players, that are maybe under the radar or not heavily recruited, and even though all athletes have potential, some have better potential to better D1 players than others and the coaches are the ones with the eyes for that. I am sure the coaches thought that of Ginger and Tai, which is why he recruited them. They have not made that much of an impact yet, but I am not saying they can’t or won’t, they just haven’t yet. And I hope they prove me wrong and come out this next year and kick butt.
I’m not going to lie, I do wonder if there have been transfers in previous years that have wanted to come to Hawaii, ones that could really take us to another level, but we didn’t have scholarships available. I heard rumors that Kelsey Robinson considered Hawaii, not sure of the truth to that, but still could you imagine if she did and we had a scholarship available for her instead of on a “project player” that was not panning out?
Please do not think I am putting any players down, that is not my style and I have never done so and don’t mean to intentionally if I have. I just feel that Tai and Ginger need to up their game to be really productive on this level. I don’t think there is anything wrong in saying that. I believe they can and I hope they do.
let them rant, this blog (and others) are the only outlet they have to speak about volleyball and feel as if they’re professional coaches and recruiters
#79
that’s the way the cookie crumbles. you have scholarships available or you don’t have scholarships available. you take chances on individuals who you feel you could mold into elite players – sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t.
why don’t we just change the rules and allow coaches to only have 7 scholarships available? one for each of the starting positions since apparently people are so strung up on who does or doesn’t deserve one.
Everyone who’s on scholarship right now deserve to be on scholarship. Leave the scholarship stuff up to Dave and staff. They know what they’re doing
I didn’t say no one didn’t belong on scholarship and I’m not counting scholarships. And who said the coaches didn’t know what they are doing? Not me. Some people just can’t have a conversation around here. You guys really know how to twist words around.
I’m not saying you’re wrong. It’s your opinion. I’m just saying let’s leave the scholarship stuff to Dave
On a lighter note, Michelle Waber is transferring to Cal Baptist for her masters, so we won’t see her with San Diego St this Fall.
sorry Cindy, i’m sure as fan of Na Wahine for a couple of decades now, it is frustrating year after year to never obtain that huge glory of winning a championship… as I’m sure it is more so for Coach Shoji and Company. I suppose people on here are voicing their opinions of putting out the most efficient and prolific team for UH and one can only hope that they will be able to compete with the elites by playing players that are obviously more talented than what the coach starts (just in my own humble opinon).
I’m sure it is frustrating for fans of the program. It is still considered an elite program and as many coaches have said, they are amazed by the job Shoji does against so many odds, including BCS money, conference and distance.
Shoji is a great coach, but sometimes there are things he cannot control. Last year, had Croson stayed, I think we would’ve had a great chance at the title. Same thing with Hewitt, had she stayed a fourth year, we would’ve been so much stronger. We can complain all we want, but a lot of it is out of his control.