Comments on: No. 14 Hawaii 3, UCI 0; NLIs signed

By: Cindy Luis

Cindy Luis — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 02:10:47 +0000

http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=40193
new thread up for Saturday.

By: darkfire35

darkfire35 — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 01:36:46 +0000

Hey Tongo, I enjoy your in-person assessments as well. It gives us spoiled SSC fans a look overseas and how we should appreciate the SSC and all the support we have here that we take for granted. Do the girls interact with the fans after the game?
Agree on the formidable front line of Mitchem, Mags & Taylor. Although I’ve only moved back in 2009 and not watched Wahine Volleyball seriously until a few years ago (Kanani Danielson times) I can say that UH has not had such front line strength before. Imagine the other side of the net when a 5’11” outside hitter is looking across the net at them…oh my goodness…lol. GO BOWS!

By: Ron

Ron — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 23:41:50 +0000

Tongo, where do you live? When I left Orange County 16 years ago, we could make it to Cal Poly in 4 hrs. UCI in 20 mins. LBS in 40 mins, CSF in 30 mins. And the San Diego schools in about 1 hr. No need to answer, I already know that moving to Hawaii is the best thing I ever did. I enjoy your in-person assessments of what you observe.

By: tongo

tongo — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 22:16:56 +0000

Watching Mitchem play the pin position reminds me of Penn State Nicole Fawcett, a 6’3″ OH who was big at the net and could really pound the ball. Some may recall her 26 kills when Penn played at Hawaii in 2005. I believe Annie actually jumps higher but Nicole may hit harder.

In either case, Nikki at OP, Emily at MH, and Annie at the OH are a totally amazing front court with all three being outstanding blockers and terminators. IMO, the best front line ever in the history of the program.

By: tongo

tongo — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 20:21:30 +0000

Official attendance was 750 with lots of wahine fans. After awhile, you run into the same fans – some living in CA and those that come over, usually for the same matches every year. Eventually – even Tiff will recognize you and say hello.

Endured a four hour one way drive because we wanted to see Mitchem in person playing just the pin position. It was awesome and well worth it! Emily, Nikki and Annie are just so physically impressive. Near the end of set 3, Sibley came in and swung hard. Kirsten didn’t get the kills but there was fierce determination in her face. Was impressed by her attitude and says a lot about her desire to succeed.

By: darkfire35

darkfire35 — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 05:31:54 +0000

As much as I would like to echo the sentiments of everyone here about Annie, remember that several things happened that put Annie where she is now; other than Shoji putting her there, lol. Sibley’s injury, Greeley’s slow recovery, even Castillo’s injury and Nikki being in/out. Even if Annie didn’t injure both pinkies, who knows if she would have stayed in the middle and not gone outside. But one thing is for certain, she’s peaking now and can prolly peak some more; right when the team needs her to…just before the play offs.

Hey Tongo, how was the Hawaii crowd there @ Irvine? GO BOWS!!!

By: rabbits ears

rabbits ears — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 05:15:40 +0000

Annie is definitely in better shape this season compared to last. That probably accounts for some of the improved play. Of course broken pinky 2 straight years hasn’t helped.

By: H-Man

H-Man — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 05:14:37 +0000

That’s because they no longer have Samantha Bricio who completed her eligibility/graduated. Same for Penn St who no longer is the same without Micah Hancock, Just one player can make so much of a difference.

By: Cubicle1126

Cubicle1126 — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 01:40:51 +0000

setaone — usc is young and inexperienced this year, and they lost a lot from last year. bricio obviously the biggest loss. but they also lost an experienced middle (ogoms). both of them were seniors, but they also lost one of their starting setters (baylee johnson), who left the program during the offseason (i read posts on VT that it was due to academic issues). johnson was their best setter last year in their 6-2 offense.

big losses, and so, they are young in key positions. altho they did add freshman khalia lanier who was the #1 recruit in the nation and playing well for them. they will recover. usc always gets big time recruits.

By: setaone

setaone — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 00:50:51 +0000

Haven’t been following USC too much, but how did they fall so far this year?