Wahine focused on strong finish

The past few Thanksgivings, Ashley Kastl didn’t have much to look forward to until Christmas. During her three seasons at Arizona State — including a redshirt year — Kastl and the Sun Devils never made the NCAA volleyball tournament.

That isn’t the case for the junior hitter this week, as No. 8 Hawaii has already clinched a berth into the NCAA tournament that begins next week. However, the Rainbow Wahine are trying to solidify a top-16 seed and hosting duties for the first and second rounds when they sandwich Thanksgiving Day between their final two Big West Conference matches.

"It’s a great feeling to be in this spot," said Kastl, who has played both right- and left-side hitter this season. "At (ASU), we were usually done after Thanksgiving.

"It feels good that all the hard work is paying off and we have a shot at a national championship."

This week, "NCAA" translated to "No Cruising At All."

Tuesday morning’s practice was all about focus, and finishing the conference unbeaten and with a 19-match winning streak.

Hawaii (24-2, 16-0) is not taking either match lightly. Tonight’s opponent is Cal State Fullerton (15-14, 9-7), which pushed the Wahine to five sets on Sept. 22 in Titan Gym. Of concern is Titan senior hitter Kayla Neto, second to UH’s Emily Hartong in the conference in kill average (4.34 to 4.53).

Friday’s regular-season finale is an 8 p.m. contest with UC Riverside (8-22, 2-14) on senior night for defensive specialist Emily Maeda.

Although nothing is a given when it comes to the NCAA selection committee and Hawaii, "I feel we’re in really good shape to be seeded and host next week," Wahine coach Dave Shoji said. "We’re 16 (RPI) now and two wins should keep us in the top 16. And given our AVCA (coaches poll) position (No. 8) …

"Still, you never know."

This is the first year that the NCAA selection committee will take the coaches’ poll into consideration when seeding teams instead of going strictly with the computer-generated Ratings Percentage Index. A loss to either the Titans (160 RPI) or Highlanders (266) could adversely affect the Wahine’s chances to host the subregional when the bracket is announced Sunday.

"We know how important this week is," Kastl said. "Just because we already won the conference and are eighth, it means nothing. It just makes us want to go work harder, be the best we can be and go in (tonight) and Friday and get the job done."

Kastl has been part of the depth Shoji has enjoyed during this, his 38th season. The only given on the outside has been Hartong, the junior also used on the right and the left, and left-side Jane Croson, although the sophomore was suspended for a month.

"If there are better people out there (on the court) ahead of me then it just makes me work harder," Kastl said. "It’s a very competitive atmosphere here and playing with Hartong — she’s amazing — and other other players … I feel like I’ve gotten better.

"I was born to compete and I’m excited for every opportunity to get better."

For the first time that will include the postseason tournament.

Notes

Shoji, who won his 1,100th match on Saturday at UC Davis, will be honored after tonight’s contest.