Emotions run high for UH’s Circle of Honor inductees

There will be stories.

There will be tears.

And if Friday’s press conference was any indication of the emotions from the University of Hawaii Sports Circle of Honor’s seven inductees, the stories and tears will be surpassed only by the gratitude from the Class of 2013.

"There are so many people to thank," said Rainbow Wahine volleyball All-American Diane Sebastian Pestolesi. "The coaches, the trainers, the School of Nursing for accepting me. And Dr. Donnis Thompson (the late UH women’s athletic director), who had the vision and the drive to bring women’s athletics into prominence.

"My husband (former UH volleyball player Tom Pestolesi, who coaches at Irvine Valley College) has sent many players here. When they ask about UH, we tell them you have to go and experience it. It’s a place like no other."

Sebastian Pestolesi was a three-time All-American. She won the Broderick Award, given to the best female collegiate volleyball player in the land. And she helped the Rainbow Wahine to their first national title in 1979. She already is enshrined as part of the ’79 team that was inducted in 1990.

Appropriately bookending Hawaii’s four national volleyball championships is inductee Reydan "Tita" Ahuna, captain of the last title team of 1987.

"This is quite an honor," said Ahuna, who also was inducted with her 1987 teammates in 2004. "If I could break it into 12 pieces, I would, because I owe everything to my teammates and coaches.

"I could tell you more stories, but you’ll just have to come tomorrow to hear them."

The 32nd class will officially be inducted during halftime of the men’s basketball game Saturday between Hawaii and Cal State Fullerton at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Ahuna and Sebastian Pestolesi bring to 10 the number of women’s volleyball players inducted. Joining them is the first diver honored, five-time All-American Qiong-Jie Huang Drew; the first tennis players, Rose Thomas Jones and Rosie Vera Cruz Bareis; and Al and Niko Noga, the 29th and 30th football players honored.

Al Noga had perhaps the most touching moment Friday. One of four brothers who played for the Rainbow Warriors Pete and George being the others knelt down and kissed the carpet in the Ed Wong Hospitality room

"I feel like I don’t belong here and I apologize for any problems I may have created," said Al Noga, whose past includes a criminal record that led to criticism of his induction. "I am grateful, we are grateful, the family is grateful, especially to the university, who gave us the opportunity to stay home and play in front of our parents."

The "Rosies," as Jones and Bareis were affectionately known, said they appreciated being inducted together and were honored that a "minor sport" was receiving recognition. They were 138-14 at No. 1 doubles for the Rainbow Wahine under coach Jim Schwitters, himself a Circle of Honor inductee in 2009.