The right stuff

As this year’s volleyball season opener approaches, Hawaii is looking for precisely what Chanteal Satele gave the Rainbow Wahine in last year’s season opener on the right side. The Word of Life graduate collected 14 kills and 12 blocks in her homecoming to help the Rainbow Wahine hold off 22nd-ranked San Diego.

She started every match last season, was second on the team in kills (2.81 per set) and blocks (1.01), hit .277 and earned all-conference honors. It was her first year back after spending two seasons at Saint Mary’s.

In her senior season, the Wahine want more. So does the soft-spoken Satele, who is at the top of the depth chart as Hawaii closes in on Friday’s first match against San Francisco.

"I definitely need work on those blocks," she says. "We have to have a strong block on the right against all the good hitters. I need to be more consistent with my blocking, more disciplined. … And I need to be a terminator on the right."

UH coach Dave Shoji echoes all that. Those are the priorities for a position that is straightforward but hardly simple. The right-side hitter has to terminate and, usually, prevent the opponent’s best hitter from doing the same.

There is also something else on Satele’s list of priorities this final season.

"Stepping up and being a leader," she says. "Being a senior."

Her experience is what puts her ahead of all those below. Sophomore Kaela Goodman backed her up last season. Emily Hartong and Jane Croson could make the move to a position they have never played. The transition is not radical from the left or middle, where Hartong started last season.

"When you go to the right you can hit off one foot, which Hartong is really good at," Shoji says. "Being a middle blocker, blocking on the right would be simple for her. There’s hardly any decision-making and just a little footwork."

But, with a wicked right arm accurate from the front and back, and the proven ability to stuff block in streaks, Satele has the inside track. She just has to get better, do more, be more consistent. There will always be another challenge, and challenger.

"We need to get kills out of that position," Shoji says. "Most really good teams have a terminal right-side hitter from the front and back rows. If you get too left-side oriented, you limit your opportunities to win."

Goodman is the only other Wahine seriously training at the position. She still needs work on her strength in order to put more pace on the ball and block more efficiently. Shoji characterizes her as hitting "too safe now," but praises her work ethic and jumping ability.

Croson’s presence on the right would resemble Kim Willoughby’s in 2000. With a senior starting on the left and Hawaii looking for more "pop" in its lineup, Shoji pushed his most heralded freshman down the net. Willoughby helped UH reach the final four, played on the left her final three seasons and was national player of the year in 2003.

"Chanteal is just stronger than the others," Shoji says, for now. "She has definite velocity. She’s shown the ability to block. She just needs to be a little more consistent. … She will just get better with more experience."