Wahine dispatch their Czech opponents

PRAGUE, Czech Republic » The transition game in volleyball is crucial, being able to switch from defense to offense quickly and smoothly, particularly on long rallies. Set plays can turn into audibles in a split-second, depending on how the block is read, where the gaps are in back-row coverage and which player or players are available on the attack.

Hawaii saved its best for last Tuesday, with the Rainbow Wahine closing their European tour with a convincing 21-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-12 victory over PVK Olymp Praha at the club team’s Volejbalova Hala (volleyball gym).

The Rainbow Wahine’s transition game grew stronger as the match continued, with their ability to convert on the off-plays at times leaving the Czech players shaking their heads.

But perhaps the biggest prechod (transition) Hawaii has made since arriving May 17 in Milan was off the court. The Rainbow Wahine have completely left 2014 behind and have moved on as the core of the 2015 squad.

The theme that they will pack Thursday is from one of the T-shirts received during the traditional gift exchange: "One Team. One Heart. One Dream." That is the mantra from now until fall camp opens in August.

It is particularly true for last season’s first-year players who are no longer rookies. It is especially true for hitter Megan Huff, who spent half of spring semester with the basketball team and was unable to fully commit to the offseason volleyball workouts.

"What I liked most about this trip was getting closer to my team," she said.

The forever bonds are created from memories of being three or four to a room; getting lost in a foreign city and figuring out how to get back to the hotel; exchanging currency and sampling food with very odd names.

There was growth, both individually and as a whole.

"It’s too bad we played the two best teams right off the bat — we weren’t quite ready for that," Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said of opening with the Italian and Slovenian national teams last week.

"I thought our team got better every match. I just can’t say enough about the tour. We bonded, we saw culture, they got closer together. It was a great, great experience and I wish we could do it all the time."

As for the transition game, "we got better at that every match," Shoji said. "We started digging some balls, started blocking. That was a pretty good team we played today.

"Early on (the tour), we made a lot of errors in transition, but we got better, and that’s all you can ask for — to improve, make the adjustments and keep fighting."

The best example on Tuesday came late in Set 2, when Hawaii found itself down 22-21 after giving up two consecutive aces. The Rainbow Wahine tied it at 22 and 23. An ace by Tai Manu-Olevao gave UH its first set point at 24-23.

After Olymp tied it at 24, a kill by Nikki Taylor gave the Wahine its second chance at ending it. It would be the last they would need, with Emily Maglio’s block tying the match at a set apiece and swinging the momentum to Hawaii’s side for good.

The Wahine built large leads in both of the final two sets, backed by solid serving and some intimidating kills, two by Taylor that knocked over Olymp setter Simona Kopecka.

The Set 4 runaway saw serving runs by Manu-Olevao (4-0) and Kalei Greeley (3-0) help Hawaii to its largest lead at 23-10.

To be fair, Olymp wasn’t at full strength, with five players leaving for the national team, forcing coach Stanislav Mitac — the former Czech national coach — to call up players from his lower level team.

"We knew Hawaii would be a strong team and that their coach was very good," Mitac said through an interpreter. "I thought their middles (Olivia Magill and Maglio) were also very good.

"Their setter (Tayler Higgins) was quick and made some difficult plays. Overall, they were a good team and should do well in their season."

Hawaii, which spent Tuesday morning touring the Prague Castle complex, has a free day Wednesday. The Wahine’s final full day in Europe will include sightseeing and shopping, followed by a traditional Czech farewell dinner in the evening.

Star-Advertiser reporter Cindy Luis is accompanying the Wahine volleyball team on its trip to Europe, where the team trained and played exhibition matches. Luis is providing daily accounts in print and online of the trip. Follow her @CindyLuis_SA