Now about that Wahine mainland tourney …

On another thread someone mentioned that the Wahine would be headed to The Invitational at Washington, filling in that week between the last volleyball tournament and the first Big West match.

The Seattle tourney is under consideration but likely the Wahine will be in another tournament in the midwest. Not at Nebraska.


COMMENTS

  1. warriorfan March 18, 2013 6:40 pm

    I was kind of hoping for Nebraska since it would be great to finally get another win in Lincoln, and they always have a good rpi.
    If it’s another midwest school I am hoping for Minnesota or Michigan, is Penn state considered midwest?

    Not that bummed if it isn’t washington they never have a high rpi, only reason I would have liked the wahine to go there is because the final four is there and to get payback.


  2. Cindy Luis March 18, 2013 6:53 pm

    no, it’s not Minnesota, Michigan or Penn State.


  3. warriorfan March 18, 2013 7:08 pm

    okay now I am stumped I thought the clues were that it was a team they have played a lot before and was a powerhouse ( now that I think a bout it Michigan isn’t really a powerhouse)

    Illinois??
    Florida?? I know that aint midwest though lol


  4. Cindy Luis March 18, 2013 7:16 pm

    What was out there originally was via Scott R. recapping an earlier chat with Shoji.
    That was that they were looking at the mainland tournament in between their tournaments and the start of the Big West.
    That one was a place they had played before and one wasn’t.
    So, believe the place they have played before is UW, and the other that they haven’t is in the midwest. That cuts out Nebraska.
    Was told they were learning toward the midwest tournament.
    The way it was originally phrased made it sound like they’d be in 2 tournaments. but actually it is that they were looking at 2 tournaments and would be playing in 1.


  5. hollycow March 18, 2013 7:43 pm

    Just guessing, the only Big 12 midwest team that has a tournament at the Sept 21 weekend is at Northwestern.


  6. warriorfan March 18, 2013 7:51 pm

    I am glad the coaches are leaning to the midwest tourney, midwest teams usually have high rpi ratings.
    Hollycow, Northwestern is coming to a tourney at the SSC so I doubt it’s them.


  7. hollycow March 18, 2013 9:41 pm

    If not the Big12 it maybe another Midwest Conference tournament, such as Missouri Valley with Wichita St and Shoji’s buddy Chris Lamb.


  8. Lina March 18, 2013 9:51 pm

    If it’s not a upper-echloen Big 12/Big 10/Pac 10 school, or Florida, Florida State, or BYU, they better be playing a high RPI Big East/ACC team, otherwise i’m kind of stumped at the logic of playing in the mainland in preseason.


  9. warriorfan March 18, 2013 9:51 pm

    Maybe one of the Kansas schools?


  10. warriorfan March 18, 2013 9:53 pm

    Lina that’s what I am thinking, I am hoping its three top 30, hopefully top 20 rpi teams that they are playing.
    Kansas was top ten in rpi last season and I think the wahine can beat them on the road.


  11. vballfreak808 March 18, 2013 10:15 pm

    Win or lose on the road, I am pretty sure Shoji wouldn’t care because it may help their RPI or it prepare them for tough teams in case they don’t get seeded again in the NCAA Tournament.

    It will also prepare them for road conference matches since this past season was never their best games (also since Croson was absent for most of these matches)


  12. Purple&Green March 19, 2013 4:40 am

    The Iowa State Challenge WILL run late this year. 😉
    Good for all concerned.

    Johnson seems to be right in the thick of ‘things’ and IS a solid Top 10 program.


  13. LC March 19, 2013 4:53 am

    Cindy I have a suspicion that you know who the Midwestern tournament might be but you are waiting on verification and in the meantime letting your followers take part in a guessing game.I heard that it is Notre Dame’s Golden Dome Tournament.Don’t hang your hat on that it could just be a rumor.


  14. Purple&Green March 19, 2013 4:57 am

    It couldn’t? be Dayton(OH)..someone on VT had said that Dayton was coming out here to play Na Wahine the weekend after Thanksgiving; the Friday and Saturday before selection Sunday, I believe.

    Anyway, I still like the idea of them playing the WSVB team on Oct. 19th (the night after the alumni match).
    The WSVB team would be beat down..I’m guesssing..but it would be a definite draw at the turnstiles. The ‘sand intro’ would be amazing considering that a solid cast of seven COULD take the court @ every required position.


  15. Purple&Green March 19, 2013 4:59 am

    Guess as people may, but the tournament is one that involves Na Wahine playing in a mini-tourney (for two contests).


  16. Purple&Green March 19, 2013 6:31 am

    I’ll break it–Da 2013 WVB Indoor Season–down for those who may be lost…

    For “Chemistry”:
    S-Uiato
    OHs-Hartong, Long, Croson@Opp
    MBs-Vorster, Tuaniga.. Dave “hopes” *his words not mine* to get Adolpho back from WBB
    Lib-Longo

    For Strength:
    S-Uiato
    OHs-Croson, Kastl, Manu-Olevao@Opp / Lelepali @DS
    MBs-Hartong, Vorster / (Adolpho?)
    Lib-Longo

    Dave will likely go with:
    S-Uiato
    OHs-Hartong, Croson, Manu-Olevao@Opp / Lelepali @DS
    MBs-(Adolpho?) / Vorster, Tuaniga
    Lib-Longo
    ..He’ll continue to be the “master” in his ‘strategic’ subs w/Manu-Olevao&Lelepali and Tuaniga’s ‘forced’ entry.

    All said, however, I don’t expect that they’ll make it past the Elite 8 round. They always seem to get screwed over come NCAA tourney bracket time.


  17. Purple&Green March 19, 2013 7:01 am

    Move Hartong to OPP and you gain her blocking but lose her offensive kills.
    She’s only played MB and OH in juniors and college. She’s been given some opportunity to make it happen @Opp along the way, but she’s played the position awkwardly.with 2013 being a strong year for Na Wahine, Dave needs to be smart.


  18. warriorfan March 19, 2013 8:34 am

    Is this true about Dayton, kind hoping someone more reliable can mention it.to
    They aren’t a bad team rpi wise but they did lose their coach to Wisconsin and best player to graduation and top incoming recruit this past season to Wisconsin as well.


  19. Cindy Luis March 19, 2013 8:34 am

    Lina, non of the schools you mentioned are in the midwest.


  20. Cindy Luis March 19, 2013 8:37 am

    LC, i do know the midwest school but nothing confirmed. Perhaps I shouldn’t have said anything but people had asked about what Scott had mentioned on the radio.
    since I didn’t hear exactly what was said … all i was told they were considering 2 tournaments, 1 is hosted by UW, the other midwest.


  21. Cindy Luis March 19, 2013 8:37 am

    P&G, I believe it is a four-team tournament and would be 3 matches, 2 on 1 day.


  22. Cindy Luis March 19, 2013 8:43 am

    You might lose Hartong’s offense if she is at RS but much depends on who is setting. I could see him going to a 6-2. Besides, Hartong already hits once on the right in the rotation.
    If they are a more balanced attack with Croson … and I see Kastl at the other LS if they move Hartong … then that would be a smart move when splitting the block. plus they’ll have to honor the middle. For argument’s sake, with Hartong at RS, when she moves to the LS on the one rotation, then sub Goodman in at RS for blocking and occasional set.


  23. warriorfan March 19, 2013 9:07 am

    I like Hartong on the right, and that actually maybe the best position for her after college and

    being able to play three positions ( really well ), could help her make an olympic roster someday.

    Plus I heard Nikki Taylor is more of a leftside anyway so she and Kastl/Tai can battle it out for oh2.


  24. Purple&Green March 19, 2013 9:10 am

    @22.
    Uiato will be a better setter in 2013..it’s a given.

    The fact remains still that she’s NOT a RS player; she doesn’t have the tools to make it happen (esp. with higher outside sets). Her ‘hand’ isn’t as heavy, also, as say Croson’s.
    Move her around aggressively for back quicks and maybe..but those are ALL risky plays.

    Besides. Complicate the lineup too much and you lose cohesion/momentum on the floor.

    Dayton–in case people haven’t figured it out yet–is a part of the midwest/EAST Atlantic-10 (da umbrella push for widespread wvb ‘thing’ the AVCA has going).
    Rpi-good; team-good by Atlantic10 comparison; ‘new’ coach-good outta Munci, Indiana looong time hotspot for girl’s vb.


  25. dedicatedfan March 19, 2013 9:13 am

    Cindy, do not forget Nikki Taylor, as a sub on the RS, she would put up a bigger block then Goodman. It will be a battle between Kastl, Olevao, and Taylor, for the other LS, if Coach Shoji indeed moves Hartong to the RS. What I like is that, if any of the LS players have an off night, Shoji has other players he can go to. Even at the setter position, he now has another option. Shoji is a Great Chemist when given all these elements, who knows what he will formulate in his head.


  26. dedicatedfan March 19, 2013 9:16 am

    Does Northern Iowa have a tournament around that time. They always seem to have a very high RPI, do not know why, but they do.


  27. dedicatedfan March 19, 2013 9:20 am

    People, do not worry, whatever position Hartong ends up playing, Uiato and Longo, will find her. If Hartong does end up playing RS, the Wahine would end up being RS dominant, which could cause teams alot of trouble, since most teams are LS dominant, and gear their defense that way.


  28. dedicatedfan March 19, 2013 9:28 am

    Shoji is like a Wishbone Coach, in football. Defenses play all these passing teams, then BAM, they have to play an option team. Puts the defense in a real bind, everything has to change. It will be the same with putting Hartong on the RS, BAM, teams have to change their defense, for a dominant RS team.


  29. Purple&Green March 19, 2013 10:58 am

    Manu-Olevao can’t pass to play OH.
    She was sent to USA for experiential purposses only.
    She’s playing on the RS (WSVB team) as only a VERY few playing in their ‘natural’ position beachwise.
    @OH2 she could be paired with a leading DS, but why? IF you wouldn’t have to!

    @the higher levels of play, the best teams are quite ‘simple’ really.
    VB is truly simplistic and yet fluid that way..honestly.
    🙂


  30. sasa March 19, 2013 5:05 pm

    Although I don’t see Shoji running a 6-2, I think it’d be worth trying. Hartong and Croson on the left, Kastle and Goodman/Manu-Olevao/Taylor on the right, and Uiato and Higgins/Goodman setting.


  31. Lina March 19, 2013 5:48 pm

    Again, as was echoed consistently throughout the course of the season by many (including me)… I just really don’t get the buzz on Kastl. Hawaii will not do well with her in the lineup. Yeah I said it! If she does, then it will because she has pulled a complete 360 in her play.


  32. sasa March 19, 2013 7:24 pm

    Kastl, IMO, is the best of the group battling for the third outside position, although I haven’t seen Nikki play yet.


  33. warriorfan March 19, 2013 9:17 pm

    What buzz on Kastl?? Did I miss something?
    She seems to have played well in the exhibition even with her injury.


  34. Robin March 20, 2013 2:09 pm

    6-2

    OH- Croson, Kastl/Taylor
    MB- Vorster, Adolpho
    RS- Hartong, Manu-Olevao/Goodman
    S- Uiato, Higgins
    L- Longo
    DS- Spieler


  35. hollycow March 20, 2013 2:46 pm

    Your 6-2 looks good Robin. Knowing Shoji I’m sure that he’s going to play Lelepali for DS at the start of the season. She’s a senior and with the most experience. As for my opinion I think that Kayla Kawamura will be another Maeda and with playing time will prove to be the best DS at the end of this season and the top candidate for Libero next season.


  36. sasa March 20, 2013 2:55 pm

    A 6-2 means that the RS hitter comes out in the back row and a setter comes in. I don’t see Hartong coming out, as she should be a six rotation player. I see her as a left side hitter playing all the way around, and Kastl playing as one of the right sides.


  37. vballfreak808 March 20, 2013 3:57 pm

    Hartong could be placed in one of the OH positions but play on the right. I think that is what they did at the end of the 2009 season when Ferrell started playing left (but was in the opposite position) and Cubi-Otineru on the right


  38. Hot March 20, 2013 8:23 pm

    I just don’t think Kastl is the type of the player that can be a go-to on the left on a team like Hawai’i. She just can’t handle the big block. IMO, she should continue with her role as backup OH who can bring some spark for a few plays. Pair her inconsistency with Croson’s on the left and that could be a disaster for UH. So, Hartong and Croson at OH, Vorster and Tuaniga/Adolpho at MB, Uiato at setter, Goodman/Olevao/Taylor or whomever at opposite, Longo at libero and any of the plethora of DSs as back row sub for the opposite. Don’t know if anyone will be up to Maeda’s quality, although I hope they continue developing Long’s back row skills. If she can pass, she’d be a great back row option for the opposite.


  39. Robin March 21, 2013 8:11 am

    From all I have been reading, I think its a given that Higgins is a given commodity to contribute immediately. The biggest wildcard is Nikki Taylor. Excellent size and an equal (20-something) ranking in recruiting as Higgins. What can she do this coming year, however?


  40. Cindy Luis March 21, 2013 8:34 am

    It sounds like they are going to use Higgins immediately. With Uiato leaving after this year, the backup setter needs to get some experience, much as you saw Mafua get in for Kamana’o in 07
    Only saw Higgins play in the state final but was impressed.
    As for Nikki Taylor, not so sure. She didn’t play her senior year — not that it hurt Croson — but wonder with her size if they wouldn’t try to use her at middle. She played some MB at Kaiser. If she’s as athletic as I’ve read, possible choice at RS/Opp at some point. would put up a big block as well at 6-3/6-4


  41. LC March 21, 2013 8:49 am

    What do you folks think of Shoji’s outside of the box ideas. Maybe a new thread on the subject would be appropriate ?


  42. Purple&Green March 21, 2013 9:08 am

    @41.

    Yeah..probably.
    That and ‘others’:

    New AVCA sand release-
    2013 Poll: March 21, 2013

    W/ it being tomorrow already, someone might want to let UH know that there will be ‘T.V.’ for the viewing @$C.
    *This tourney should be very telling; it will be brutal despite NU’s lack of beach experience. Pray that Wong has wisdom to make certain pairs happen. UH could EASILY get shalacked this weekend.

    http://pac-12.com/live/usctrojans.aspx

    My guess is that Kastl comes out being the most improved/strengthened this spring. People should be more gracious in that she played RS last year–NOT LS–as she’d be best at playing.

    Anyway.


  43. Cindy Luis March 21, 2013 9:11 am

    thanks for the link.
    BTW, Kastl also played left last year. I think she has improved a lot and played well last week, despite the ankle.


  44. Robin March 21, 2013 10:21 am

    Sight unseen, when I envision Nikki Taylor I picture a Sarah Mason, a very tall by local standards outside hitter. Close to reality? Good thing or bad thing to be compared with the former Wahine? Much higher expectations?


  45. Hot March 21, 2013 1:46 pm

    Cindy, Kamana’o graduated in 2006, the year Mafua redshirted. Cayley Thurlby was the backup. Mafua started the first match in 2007, but was clearly not ready and had to be replaced by Brandt.


  46. Hot March 21, 2013 1:58 pm

    As for Kastl, she can dominate the smaller, lower-quality teams, but can’t bring it against bigger teams. I’m not surprised she did well against Texas Tech. As for playing right last year, that was the only way she would get a shot at playing, with Croson and Hartong on the left. And she did play a lot on the left when Croson was out. She’s a fifth year senior and was the go-to hitter for a team in the Pac12. Considering all that experience, she just doesn’t have a real shot at playing left for UH as long as Hartong and Croson are there. If Hartong moves to the right, that might open a spot for Kastl, but she’d have to compete with Olevao.


  47. Cindy Luis March 21, 2013 2:00 pm

    Hot, you’re right. I always get confused since it’s a fall sport. Kamana’o was a year ahead of my son at ‘Iolani and i always subtract based on his graduation.


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