Hawaii is adding an exhibition volleyball match to its schedule with a match next Tuesday against Toyota Auto Body, the top-level pro team Kanani Danielson is about to join. The kicker is, the former Rainbow Wahine All-American won’t play for either team as she transitions to being a professional.
"We are excited to add this exhibition match," UH coach Dave Shoji said. "Toyota Auto Body is a very good team and it will be a great opportunity to play against some top-notch competition."
Toyota plays in the V. Premier League, Japan’s premier professional league. The "Queensies" are based in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture.
The Wahine will take on Toyota at 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. The match is not included in the season package. Tickets are general admission and cost $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (65 and older) and $5 for students, with UH-Manoa students free with school ID.
They are available online at hawaiiathletics.com or at the box office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased by phone at 944-2697 during box office hours.
Hawaii (7-2) rose one spot to seventh in Monday’s AVCA Top 25 — a slot below Stanford, which lost to UH opening week. The Wahine have lost to Cal and UCLA since.
The Bruins moved up to No. 1 after beating Colorado State in five and having Iowa State upset former No. 1 Nebraska in four sets Saturday in Ames. Unbeaten Southern California is No. 2 and Nebraska, which beat UCLA opening week, is No. 3. Texas dropped to ninth after losing to Illinois.
The Wahine return to the Big West this week after a 16-year detour into the Western Athletic Conference. Hawaii plays at Cal State Northridge on Wednesday, UC Riverside on Friday and Cal State Fullerton on Saturday. All three begin at 4 p.m. Hawaii time and the conference will stream matches free at BigWest.TV.
Hawaii had won its last 19 Big West matches before leaving after the 1995 season. It won its final 16 in the WAC, capturing its 13th WAC championship in November.
UH junior Emily Hartong is ranked 24th nationally in kills (4.3 per set) this week, with sophomore Jane Croson 53rd at 3.97. Freshman middle Jade Vorster ranks 52nd in hitting percentage (.375). As a team, Hawaii is 15th in kills (14.55) and 19th in hitting (.283).
