Comments on: Day 3, Practice 2 … Shoji not voting on coaches poll

By: Msrpantoja1@Huh.'A'loha

Msrpantoja1@Huh.'A'loha — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 03:32:56 +0000

Dave is DEFINITELY retiring after 2014.
I can’t believe, but yes I can..

Why do people in the media, Cindy, you know them, hah?, how peoples tend to use their ‘sharp’ wheeled talents./w/matters.
Lewis often da stirrateous
Reardon, Tsai. STIRRATEOUS

By: Cindy Luis

Cindy Luis — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 23:42:10 +0000

32. may have been in the same email asking Shoji if he was voting on the poll. He missed the deadline for answering. Don’t know if the SID received the request. But doubt if a preview would have made much difference to the coaches who are voting.

By: LC

LC — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 21:20:34 +0000

AVCA says Hawaii never submitted info for their 2013 team previews.

I have often wondered if the voters use these previews to guide them in how they vote.Not every coach knows what changes took place between seasons.

By: Cubicle1126

Cubicle1126 — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 20:22:43 +0000

Cindy — I think that’s a very valid take (post #27) above, regarding the “flip flop” issue on release (or not releasing) Croson. If Shoji is re-thinking giving the release, it sounds like it may have more to do with Shoji considering what’s in the best interests of the student-athlete. It’s not a clear, black-and-white issue. There are certainly shades of gray, and also a lot about the behind-the-scenes that the public doesn’t know about.

By: Cindy Luis

Cindy Luis — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 19:48:22 +0000

From what I’ve seen of Higgings… very nice hands, quick release, can make that cross court set.. Her one issue (from the brief time I saw her) was backsets to the right side. but the passes could have been a little off.
And her hitters are definitely taller across the board than when in high school.
If they decide to use the occasional 6-2, her serving will be an asset.

By: sasa

sasa — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 19:15:37 +0000

28. The few games that I’ve seen Higgins play in high school, she was consistently setting the middle, even with not so great passes, which bodes well for UH. With the absence of Croson, we only have one ‘go to’ hitter in Hartong, and will need to get the middles more involved than last year. I think she could do this for the Wahine. She has a great serve too, which we’ll need during the season.

By: Cindy Luis

Cindy Luis — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 18:46:37 +0000

Someone had posted about why not redshirt Higgins and use Goodman as a backup
to me, if you think Higgins is your future then you get her real experience now, even if it’s as a backup.
Besides, they may use a 6-2 at times this year so whoever is the backup gets even more in-game experience.

By: Cindy Luis

Cindy Luis — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 18:37:44 +0000

26. For sure McNeal a big loss. And, as we know, it’s all about serve and pass. UH has quickness but will need passes to be on the money for the options to be there to run the offense.

6 & 8. LC, agree with you that Uiato will start.

Regarding ‘flip flop’ which seems to be a negative from you (correct me if I’m wrong, please)
IMHO, Jay made a decision to get one nickname. but didn’t understand how much opposition there would be to dropping Rainbows. Guess you can say flip flop but i see it as someone who was not too stubborn as to alienate the part of the community which was very attached to Rainbows.

As for Croson, Shoji wanted her to have some consequences for what went on during spring. Not releasing her is one of those. Not like it hasn’t happened with other players. Fonoimoana a prime example. Haley wanted consequences for her not attending class. The difference between the two is Croson is academically eligible to play immediately, Fonoimoana wasn’t when she left USC.
Again, you can say flip flop but I see it as some softening with some time passing to rethink things. And that includes what is in the best interests of Croson. As Ferd wrote, Croson may be doing some of the things at Arizona that UH asked of her but she didn’t do here.
If I’m 20 and embarrassed about how public my situation went, I might have balked at being told I had to meet some criteria, and just didn’t do it because of pride … and embarrassment. Sometimes you dig yourself in so deep, you don’t think there is a big enough shovel. So you just do nothing.
I honestly believe Shoji wanted some sort of consequences for Croson and, if she is doing things at Arizona to show she is moving in the right direction, that might be enough for him to change his mind about the release.
And one way to look at it. Volleyball has defined Croson for so long. To not be able to play this season, just practice could be enough to keep her mired in a negative situation where she never changes. A year is nothing for those of us at our age. It is eternity for someone her age.

By: sasa

sasa — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 06:37:38 +0000

Hawaii has an outside shot, IMO, of upsetting an incredible Texas team. Hopefully, the Wahine can take advantage of this being the first game of the season for the Longhorns, and the their adjusting to the absence of graduated primary passer and leader, ShaDare McNeal.

By: mauna

mauna — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 04:58:06 +0000

Thanks for agreeing with me Cindy. One thing the Wahine has that no other team has is Dave Shoji. He is the greatest active volleyball mind in game time situations and also putting what he players he has on hand to the best position and getting the most out of their abilities. It will never happen, but if he had his share of the top Senior Aces of which the BCS schools always sign up year after year, his teams would be in the Final Four every year.