SandBows start season without coach Meyer

It was already a given that Hawaii’s opening week in sand volleyball was going to be a challenging one with defending national champion and preseason No. 1 Pepperdine coming to play at Queen’s Beach.

What wasn’t a given was that the No. 4 SandBows would be facing the Waves — and the rest of their opponents this season — without assistant coach Michelle Meyer. Hawaii’s top assistant since fall 2012 has resigned to become the director of volleyball operations for the Pepperdine women’s indoor team, joining the staff of former Rainbow Wahine associate indoor and head sand coach Scott Wong.

Wong, a three-time All-American at Pepperdine, was hired as the head indoor coach at his alma mater on Dec. 10.

First-year SandBows coach Jeff Hall said he expects the part-time position to be posted Tuesday on the UH website. Since it is a "casual hire" there is a possibility that a new assistant could be in place by next Thursday’s opening doubleheader with the top-ranked Waves and No. 6 Loyola Marymount, but Hall said it is a national search and the interview process, which includes background checks, could take a few weeks.

The duties include "a little bit of everything," Hall said. "Michelle did the lion’s share of administrative work, the scheduling and a lot of the recruiting communication. It’s a full-time gig for a part-time job.

"It is a big loss for the program, but I’m happy for Michelle. It’s a great opportunity and a full-time job. She couldn’t say no."

Hall did get some good news Monday. Sophomore All-American Nikki Taylor, who sprained her ankle slightly during Friday’s practice, could be cleared to practice as early as Thursday. Taylor is in a walking boot and not using crutches.