Rainbow Wahine focus on building a firm foundation

It is said that one truly has learned a second language when one dreams in that language.

After six days of intense practices, of skill drills ad nauseam, the Rainbow Wahine players have begun to dream in another language: volleyball.

The focus has been on the little things that will become the foundation for the big things. There’s been little separation by positions because the team needs to become a team. Do all skills well enough so as not to have to think about it but just “do.”

It becomes innate.

“We know as a team we need better ball control, so I don’t mind that we haven’t gotten into the 6-on-6 stuff,” sophomore setter Norene Iosia said as No. 20 Hawaii concluded its first week of two-a-day practices on Saturday. “This is something we need so that when we do more 6-on-6 it will flow better.

“I definitely think the whole team has grown this week, not just one person. Everyone is getting out of their comfort zone and it’s been a good change.”

The major change has been buying into what first-year head coach Robyn Ah Mow-Santos and her staff wants and demands. There is an intensity that often mimics that of the national team training center where Ah Mow-Santos lived for over a decade and where several of the Wahine players spent time with various USA Volleyball teams.

Iosia was with the U.S. Junior National Team that finished seventh at the FIVB World Championship. Junior hitter McKenna Granato was with the U.S. Collegiate National Team.

“I think everyone is starting to realize what the team culture is, ” Granato said. “Everyone is adapting to what our team culture is becoming.

“The intensity level is higher. It’s what Tama (Miyashiro, former Olympian and current national team assistant) said when she was here. That the intensity is similar to that of the national team.”

Having to make the biggest adjustment to the coaching change, perhaps, are the six Wahine seniors. It is particularly true with Kendra Koelsch, who has been the backup setter for three years but also has been a blocking sub and outside hitter. She continues to take reps at the two positions, and that plays into the team mind-set of being well-rounded.

“We’re working on the little things we haven’t focused on previously,” she said. “I think it’s making everyone a better all-around player. You can’t only do just one thing. You have to be good at everything.

“Right now it’s more about the team. We have to use everybody, not just rely on one person.

“I am so grateful to have one year under Robyn. This is one of the best coaches in the nation. Our whole staff is incredible and I’m trying to take every single second of every day of practice to relish it.”

It is a process, as Ah Mow-Santos said.

“We’re not as far along as I wanted, but it is better than I expected,” the former two-time All-America setter for the Wahine said. “We still have a lot of things to do, but it’s coming along.”

As for a potential starting lineup, “At some positions we kind of know, but things could change,” Ah Mow-Santos said.

The Wahine return three solid starters in senior middle Emily Maglio, senior libero Savanah Kahakai and Iosia. All three were first-team All-Big West and Maglio an honorable mention AVCA All-American.

Hawaii has today off and returns to practice on Monday.