If you look at prepvolleyball’s Senior Aces (top 100), there are players committing to a number of colleges that were never volleyball powers, but are now very competitive. Yet, Coach Shoji has been very successful in molding lower rated recruits to fit his style.

One thing that has not changed — Hawaii still does NOT get very many top 10 players year-in and year out, for a variety of reasons. Maybe one every 3 – 4 years. Emily Hartong was not even a top 25 rated player in her class. Yet, she developed. Jane Croson was top 7, but did not pan out for a variety of reasons.

No doubt that funding and facilities, as great as the SSC and the fans are, are two of the main factors. The other handicap is location because of how recruiting has evolved. Many of the top recruits can take unofficial visits, which does not happen often here in the Pacific, as they can drive to a lot of their schools. And, with recruits now making earlier decisions — some even in their freshman and sophomore years, it is a key factor. Look at how Greeley became interested in UH at an early age because of trip to one of their camps. That won’t happen often.

what i haven’t seen are the ideas or the plan to put effect that change. including how hawaii will overcome much of the change in the college volleyball landscape over the last decade or so that has worked against hawaii getting more of those top recruits and from once competing in one of the toughest conferences around? that’s the kicker, isn’t it? i will admit, i don’t have the answers (i wish i did), and while fans on here clamor for change, it doesn’t sound like others have them as well. there’s a big leap between ‘wanting’ change and ‘effecting’ it.

From what you say, I gather you think coach should retire so we can get a new coach that can set a lower bar, so Hawaii fans won’t be frustrated? So, the team’s annual goal would be to just compete for the Big West title?

growth and progress is good for the soul ~

For me, I blame Shoji for any frustration fans might feel. It was his own fault for winning those national Championships and those Final Four appearances. He’s the one who set the bar so high that not achieving one of those two is a failure. He brought an y criticism of him or his program on himself.