Hawaii down to 25 in RPI, drops out of AVCA poll again
among those receiving votes:
26. Northwestern, 58. 27. Long Beach State, 40. 28. Colordo, 38. 29. CSUN 21. 30. Marquette 20. 31. Hawaii 17.
http://www.avca.org/divisions/division-one-women/poll-10-13-14di/
Link to the RPI
Howaii from 17 to 24, CSUN from 20 to 16, The Beach from 28 to 32
http://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/weeklyrpi/2014WVBrpi1.html
COMMENTS
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also fell t0 24 in RPI
thanks. actually they dropped to 25 was getting to that on our breaking news item
we knew this year’s team would struggle, and well, they are. the frustration — and i share it too — is that fans always hope a team will be better than they actually are.
it’s gut check time. i’d like to see what adjustments shoji and co. make going forward …
Dave will not change much if anything. At least that’s been his M.O. for the past 20 years. The truth is, I don’t think UH will contend for any title this season. Our setting has to be much better for that to happen. The truth hurts. Passing broke down, sure, but a good D1 setter will still better the ball, a great D1 setter will better the ball and create the energy to take over the match. Higgins is neither. She is not confident enough at this stage. Her body language is telling. Her slaps on her thighs when her sets fail are telling. Her indecision of setting choices are telling. There is no confident signs when UH is in catch up mode from her. Once the setters that are good to great settle in and do it consistently, the passing will take care of itself. In the end, the protectors will spin the news and keep the happy family picture in tact, but time is running out. Nikki is not the player she was last year, I guess the injury really affected her more than it has been reported. As is Kahakai’s injury. Hopefully MaGill’s injury is only minor.
FYI. In club play, if any opponent has any body brace on them, I tell the servers to target them so I can see how they move. I ask the blockers to double block them to see if the brace affects them. Once i get the data, I create a plan to exploit the brace wearing player if it warrants it.
So sad this comes at mid-season. Late but see changes coming from Lessons Learned. Shoring up defense and passing is probably key. When in system Na Wahine can play with anyone. Developing Huff for another OH would also be
good. Just saw Kim Hill annihilate China and win the Most Valuable Player. She was a MH at Pepperdine most of her career… Talking about up and over… what wonderful transition to OH.
this would be more than this years team struggling. they are in some deep…
it seems the bows been in decline since the lost to byu last year. remind how deep it was in 1992?
looking at the bows history. so far this season na wahine still aint scared enough to win a 5 set, they are almost indifferent and took no priority over it when it happens, or turns into the mental emotion of ‘desperation’ instead of determination.
additionally this may be a hawai’i fan belief, but if na wahine keeps this up, they add into further statistics of not being unblemished records or ‘difficult to defeat the bows’ and pretty soon will have lesser foes or even ‘weaklings’ defeat them.
and if the latter happens, it will definitely be old grandpa dave shojis fault.
cindy, perhaps you can ask what coach dave shoji has to say? (you ask for juicy points)
Spoke to him. nothing juicy.
But for what it’s worth, he said at this point no one’s starting position is secure. They are off today and will spend the next few days practicing in the mornings and continue to re-evaluate.
said the setting needs to get better but no one can set well if the passing isn’t there.
Team is off Friday, going to Molokai Saturday for intra squad scrimmage
Also no news on Magill injury. she’s seeing the doctor today.
4. disagree. UH is still in contention for the Big West title. Beach still has to play CSUN at CSUN and Hawaii at Hawaii. Would not be surprised if it ends up in at least a two-way tie for the conference crown.
Shoji’s thoughts on the poll and RPI. said the RPI is more important and at 25, which is where he thought they’d be, still in the 64-team tournament.
10. in other words, all starters are relieved until further notice.
12. shojis resigned to just being in the 64 team tournament.
#5 I don’t get it coming from a club coach as you say you are. You would think a coach would be humble in understanding the demands of being a coach and not express a me, I attitude that this is what I would do. Everyone second guesses a coach and you should know better than most right when it is the coach and the coaches that are in the practices, knows the personalities of the players, the personal dynamics outside of practice and games. As far as I’m concerned coaches know better than anyone than to come on a blog a give arm chair opinions and expressing a know it all attitude.
14. No one second guesses Shoji. NO ONE. If you want to have any friends left in Hawai’i that is. I’m talking about what I did when I coached club. For the record it has been over ten years ago. I am an old. Any competitive coach would use an possible weakness of the opponent. But ethically, there are clear lines I would not cross over in teaching the sport of volleyball. What and how you say things is really important. Some need to know why they are instructed to do something, others do want they are told and they need to be told what to do. And a few are given their assignment and they know exactly what to do. But in match situations, I would look for ways to exploit the opponent. You want to compete to win.
13. maybe in your words.
I wouldn’t say ‘relieved of their duties’ He said that the starting positions are up for grabs. At least one middle will still be starting since they have 3 MBs for 2 spots.
He isn’t ‘resigned’ to being in the 64 team tournament He was discussing that the RPI still has them in the field.
Listen UH will survive. The season is not over. It is a reality check. That’s where practice comes in. Its humbling to see how much work they have to do but its all up to the team. Dave is not out there playing. He cannot make them move their feet or time the block or catch any tips. All he can do is give encouragement, point out tendencies and make substitutions as he sees fit.
15. hardly true. Many of us have second guessed him. I have been surprised at some of the things he does, including leaving some players in, not calling a TO, etc.
Glad to hear you have coaching experience and thank you for doing so. often a thankless job at the club level.
15. and very surprised you would say that since you have been a part of the blog for quite some time. Many, many, many second guess him.
However the anonymity of these posters allows to keep their friends as you say.
Injuries have taken a toll on the team. You can see Nikki is not where she could have been due to her injury. Greely ankle at times must have an affect on her play. Magill taped left hand affected her blocking and now her leg injury. Kahakai knee keeping her out.
Hawaii’s back row defense is lacking from years past. Who do they have that can step up? Consistency at setter is a problem. A good setter but not a great one yet. Who has greater potential the one starting or the one on the bench? That is the determining factor at this point for a coach to decide on. Who will be able to lead maybe not this year but also the next 2 to 3 years.
20. true injuries have hurt them, no pun intended. they had to go a different route with Taylor out, and still aren’t using her as they had planned. She is not 100 percent. Greeley as well, has rolled her ankle early in practice and once at UCR. Still a freshman plays like one at times.
I am surprised that the passing isn’t better. It’s been a trademark of the program.
22. “I am surprised that the passing isn’t better. It’s been a trademark of the program.”
yes we hope it supposed to be trademark, but now its an incredible disappointment
a side note, since nikkis injured on right arm (with brace) and she is ambidextrous, somebody needs to tell shoji have her start drilling spikes with her left. she can use her right for other things (like serving if not yet comfortable with left). and when she is 100% she switch hands and be unpredictable.
when she is 100%, she ‘can’ switch hands and be unpredictable (including to throw the opponent block off balance, etc.)
You can’t keep saying, at this point no one’s starting position is secure or the starting positions are up for grabs and never make changes, at some point you actually have to do it or no one takes it seriously, it’s just an empty threat to them.
Nikki says her UCL injury is almost fully healed I think she either an MRI or X-ray done today.
Agree re: the injuries, though not sure how many are normal at this point in the season, particularly with such a long pre-season as seems to be the norm now. I’m definitely concerned about Magill, I think they would have won LB if she had been able to stay in. She was skipping on one leg when she left at the LB game. Also saw Greeley reroll the ankle at UCR, she looked like she was in serious pain for a couple minutes, but her cheering squad clearly boosted her. And Nikki is definitely not the explosion she was last season – whether she realizes it or not, you can see when she plays if you’re there in person that she is tentative in moving, like she’s protecting the arm. Maybe she can’t dig with the brace on, but on defense she’s almost avoiding the ball. Not that I blame her for not wanting to aggravate the injury, but there may be a need for a reality check there.
At times we will second guess coach Shoji’s decisions and yet we will never know what move or decision would or could have been better. One thing is for certain what he has done for the program and the young girls of Hawaii, giving them dreams and goals that they may have never thought even considering, is maybe the greatest achievement that can and should be bestowed on him. Titles and more titles would be nice but due to the success he and current and prior staffs have produced has open up more opportunities for our young people especially the young girls of our community.
People do tend to forget that a significant number of players on the team were sitting in a classroom in high school just six months ago.
Start the frosh. Kendra, Maglio, Huff, Greely, Baby G/Anderson.
Sub the rest in as the game warrants…
Nikii Taylor, et al need to sit and reset their enthusiasm for the game.
The chemistry betw the former starters is bad. Just a terrible mix of players that soil the team…starting with its QB.
Recreate a core of starters with energy and enthusiasm and mix with caution.
We’ll see what happens. Even if they go with the same lineup, doesn’t mean he didn’t think about changing, just that the starters earned their positions again.
Kahakai should be back for next week.
Taylor and Magill both supposed to see the doctor today.
will know more Tuesday morning at practice.
Many great comments…In Hawaii, “Change is Hard!”…We have 5,000-10,000 fans that attend every volleyball match that are so knowledgeable….but we are too nice…we need to be the 7th man and not just use more than cheering for great plays and rallies, but become a pain to teams that visit us…Enough “Aloha!” already…The other teams do it and why not us with our crowds…more is not always better…unless you just into the numbers…As far as the team…we have the good talent but why are we so horrible in passing…so many times there are 2 girls that go indecisively to the ball…they all look so slow, late, and out of position…Long Beach is coached so well defensively…it has been their trademark but we had that trademark too a decade or less ago..
Although we had great players like Longo, Kaaihue, etc…we seem to lack that confidence, hustle, footwork, techniques of the past…As the fans have love and loyalty for this team we like to see that life, heart, and intensity regained in our team…it all begins with the coaching and their demands of playing the ones who performs and gives their all…If they don’t cut it…sit down…play the next player…I am sure it will lit a fire in their passion…or not
#31 Cindy, with all due respect, at this point in the season, looking well in practice will not get the job done. That statement has a limited shelf life and we are past that excuse expiration. Wahine have played enough matches of real time. They need to look good and sadly, they don’t …
Nikki is part of the problem, not the solution. For whatever reasons, she, among others, need to be lifted. Not necessarily benched, but sat down to watch for a bit…
As a respected NFL coach once said, Id rather play a replacement that runs 100% than a starter who is less than full capacity. There is a point to be made there…and I believe it fits our situation. Let the frosh play and allow them valuable time to develop their talent and skills. It will pay off down the road.
One other point, most fans are enthusiastic about Kahakai. Im also anxious to see what she can do, BUT, it remains to be seen. She hasn’t proven anything yet…just saying there is hype. Her serve or foot work is not better than baby G or Anderson. She does have dexterous hands. The formers do too. We shall see…
Kimo who is this well respected NFL head coach? Did his strategy work?
33…nice assessment…regardless of a high respected NFL coach who rather play a replacement that goes 100% than a starter that is not…it doesn’t take only a highly respected coach but any wise coach. There is always a point to give the injured starter especially an impact player the opportunity first but after seeing that the injury the athlete has is bringing him or her to perform at half of their potential and actually the choice of removing the athlete is probably more beneficial for the team and the athlete. It is evident she is holding back and playing in a protective mode. We all know what she is capable of, but maybe now is not the time to risk aggravating it more and could actually damage her confidence more in the long run. Again, it is not her fault, but we want to see the real athlete she is when she is healed…She gave it her best shot..She is not ready!!!
32. Please don’t advise our fans to be rude. I am proud of the aloha spirit of our fans. A good team doesn’t need rude fans to help them win. USA team won the world championship on a neutral court because they were great, not because fans heckled the opponent. Rude fans only encourage opponents’ fans to be ruder when the road team becomes the home point. Case in point: when Hawaii was in the WAC and Long Beach came on a visit, our fans booed them because Long Beach fans were so rude. This was so uncharacteristic of Hawaii. We don’t need to encourage their fans to be even nastier.
36…great point…yes I don’t mean the whole arena to be rude but I like the way the students, student/athletes, and Long Beach men’s vb team creates a volleyball environment in terms of letting you know who is the “home team”. Maybe I should have referenced our college aged fans, students, band..etc…Although we draw many more appreciative and knowledgeable fans, it would be cool to see the younger crowd create that 7th man advantage…I am not saying to be rude…I think Hawaii people got more class than to that!
This season is just one of those oddities where the projected starters have injuries or get hurt. It has happen before. Nevertheless, I fully expect the girls to finish very strong. Last year, we dropped two in a row against CSUN and Davis and still survived. This year, na wahine still remain very much in the hunt for the BW championship. With S. Kahakai back, the backcourt will be at full strength and the passing will steady out. While Nikki is still struggling, am confident that she will play herself out of it. We will finally have the starting lineup at full force.
Hmmmm, did the Wahine lose a couple of games when Nikki was out with her injury. No one was able to step up. Whether you agree with Shoji or not, Nikki at 80% is better than anyone else at 100%. You try playing with that cumbersome brace on your elbow. She’s giving it her best. I personally feel better having her in the game.
39. Totally agree. Nikki is essential.
33 I believe Dave had specifically asked in the paper that UH fans to be not so friendly to the Beach for that match. It was the year we finally beat the Beach after several years of having them beat us in the regionals. It would be nice if the fans would adopt the practice of standing up at set point to put pressure on the opposing team. It is a practice used everywhere else in the Big West as well as the reset of the country.
Big Island VB Fan and bleacher coach: Thank you for concluding that original line of thought the Aloha way. I would likely stop watching UHVB if it came down to relying on pulling the same thing as the fans of the other teams.
I think The Aunties would be disheartened as well.
No! No aloha would be losing an essential part of ourselves, we might as well move to the mainland now! Tongo, I think we had a nice balance at LB. It’s a good venue, with respectful fans that appreciate a good game. They had a live singer for the anthem, a live band, and we did all stand for the set point. I didn’t feel bad after that game, just a bit disappointed. Bleachercoach, look at a CSUN home game to see that taken way too far. It was like going to a frat party where there happened to be a volleyball game going on. A deafening DJ who played while the ball was in play, rude fans, etc. I felt downright angry and upset after leaving there.
Yep at CSUN the DJ took it a little over the top..I wouldn’t allow comments and some of the follow up music they play after an error from our player (s).
43 I agree. I sat in the lower section with the UH crowd this year. So much fun. Last year, sat in the Beach season ticket holder section and they were all very nice. However, I do believe that it is no coincident that we lost all three games on the side where their student section was at the pyramid. Their students did a great job of screaming and trying to intimidate. It is all part of the game.
The atmosphere at the SSC is unlike any other. The opposing coaches make a mention of it, the knowledgeable fans, the appreciation of good play on both sides, the respect for the sport.
Very much the opposite at other places, especially the smaller venues where the stands are so close. As pointed out, it is no coincidence that Hawaii won on certain sides of the court, usually away from the obnoxious fans.
The difference is those crowds are very student-oriented, UH is not. And I have seen students spoken to during a match if their behavior or cheers are not deemed acceptable. Nothing even remotely approaching to what is allowed elsewhere.
Another difference is Wahine volleyball is a flagship program. Elsewhere it’s ‘just girls volleyball.’
As for standing at set point instead of just match point, I think Hawaii fans have reserved the standing for when it counts. Could be a throwback to the old scoring when you could be standing forever when a team got to 14 and couldn’t score.