Wahine will have decidedly local look

By "pure coincidence," Hawaii’s starting lineup could have heavy local roots when the No. 17 Rainbow Wahineopen against Ohio at the Stan Sheriff Center on Friday.

The tentative lineup announced by coach Dave Shoji following Tuesday morning’s practice has Tayler Higgins (Punahou) at setter, Kalei Adolpho (Molokai) as one of the middles, Keani Passi (Pearl City) at opposite, Tai Manu-Olevao (Punahou) and Ginger Long (Kamehameha-Maui) as the outside hitters, and Savannah Kahakai (Farrington) as the libero. The other middle blocker, Arizona transfer Olivia Magill, grew up in Washington but has relatives on several islands.

However, some of it hinges on health issues. Adolpho rolled her right ankle during Monday morning’s practice and sat out Tuesday morning to give the team captain an extra day to rest in anticipation of three consecutive matches in the Chevron Invitational.

Should Adolpho not be at 100 percent at any time during the competition, Canadian freshman Emily Maglio would get the call.

Another injury has already affected the lineup. Sophomore outside hitter Nikki Taylor is out indefinitely after spraining her right (hitting arm) elbow during summer play; last season’s All-Big West selection has been cleared to rehab but not to practice.

Adding to the thinning ranks on the outside is the unavailability of Manu-Olevao for Sunday’s match against San Diego State. The co-assistant captain again will sit out Sunday competition for religious beliefs.

That opens the door of opportunity for freshman outside Kalei Greeley, who has impressed in practice. Greeley — whose family lineage includes great-uncle Jake Highland, originally from Papakolea and member of the 1964 U.S. Olympic volleyball team — could even see action before Sunday because of her solid overall game and potential to play six rotations.

Besides a relatively new look — Hawaii lost four starters from the 2013 team that went 25-5 — there’s something new on the playing schedule. For the first time, there is both football and volleyball on a Saturday.

Saturday’s match against No. 25 Arizona State is at 8:30 p.m. to accommodate fans wishing to double-dip and attend the Hawaii-Washington football game at Aloha Stadium. Originally, it looked more convenient when football was scheduled for a 2 p.m. kickoff. A change in national TV coverage moved it to 4:30 p.m.

Next weekend brings another unique schedule. The Rainbow Wahine face Oregon at noon at the Stan Sheriff, with the Rainbow Warriors hosting Oregon State at Aloha Stadium at 4:30 p.m.

"It’s not ideal," Shoji said, but some of the teams coming in couldn’t stay an extra day and we were forced to schedule the way we did.

"We hope people who have tickets to both will come to both."