21 Ross took six swings. if I remember correctly, most were on the right. but as you know, Taylor may be an opposite but she hits left in one rotation. Granato hit right in one rotation. So when I wrote Ross was on the outside, it depends what rotation she was in.

We can consider the Wahine as going back to their roots, which is team defense.

I bring this game up because even though it was a loss, the coaches and players learned more about themselves in this game then they did in the previous five wins. The following week Shoji held two practices where everyone had to fight again for their job. The rest of the season the team bought into the importance of not giving away sets or scoring runs. The rest of the season both setters knew their roles, and both knew they were on a short leash, and to their credit they supported and complemented each other. They also learned they had a deep bench and that Shoji was going to use it. Finally, they learned that they couldn’t just go to Taylor and that they had to involve everyone in the offense, including those coming off the bench, and that when they did so, they were a much better team. The following week, they defeated the #2 team in the nation in five sets, taking the fifth set with relative ease. For the rest of the season they kept improving, and they kept developing their bench which they needed when they were hit with injuries. And they went undefeated the rest of the way until the loss to Minnesota.

Point of all this is that every year it’s a new group of players who have to come together and learn their strengths and weaknesses. Early in the year the team will probably not be as bad as their worst set or match, and likewise may not be as good as they think they are. Last years loss to UCLA had plenty of ugly Wahine play, but the team kept fighting, the bench contributed, the crowd never gave up on them, and the team and the coaches all learned they could improve and excellence was within reach.

This pre-season schedule is more difficult than last years. But like last year, I think this group won’t quit on themselves and they’ll fight to stay on the court and on top. They’ll learn from their mistakes and they’ll improve. They’ll develop their bench, because they’ll have to; like last year they’ll need every able body at some point, and everyone will work hard to find their way to contribute.

Sunday, 06 September, 2015: UCLA vs. Hawaii: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2a5VGhkq8A