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Double-days are pau, but not the work of becoming a team. School starts on Monday, as does the continuing education of the Hawaii volleyball squad.
The past 11 days have laid a solid base for this week’s preparation for Friday’s season opener, according to two Rainbow Wahine seniors, McKenna Granato and Casey Castillo, who have contributed since they were true freshmen. “I think we look pretty good for the most part,” said Granato, an outside hitter. “There’s things to clean up here and there, but we’re meshing for the most part.
“The one thing is our togetherness is strong. Each one of us (returning) players got much better. I think that will show.”
Saturday’s two practices at the Stan Sheriff Center were as competitive as was Friday’s intrasquad scrimmage, with the coaching staff continuing to look at possible combinations for a starting lineup against Gonzaga. Castillo has concentrated on playing the left side but has been moved to middle and right during the sessions.
“It’s still up in the air,” Castillo said about her position. “Coach Robyn (Ah Mow-Santos) and I talk about it. Wherever they need me — outside, oppo (opposite) or middle — I focus on what I’m told that day.
“We got a lot out of the scrimmage as a team. It’s about focusing on what we can control on our side of the net, whoever we play. For me personally, I’m focusing on what I can do individually to improve and be ready. It’s all coming up pretty fast.”
The Hawaiian Airlines Classic opens Friday with the 4:45 p.m. contest between No. 11 UCLA and Kansas State. Hawaii takes on Gonzaga at 7 p.m. in the first meeting between the two schools.
Granato and Castillo are the only two of six seniors to have played their entire careers at Hawaii. The others are transfers: Faith Ma’afala (Southern Utah) is in her third season, including a redshirt year, while Tita Akiu (Texas Tech), Angel Gaskin (Maryland) and Sarah Liva (Portland State) are one-and-done transfers.
“They’re all strong leaders and making impacts,” Granato said.
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