An honorable mention volleyball All-American is now focused solely on chasing more NCAA high jump championships, yet Rainbow Wahine coach Dave Shoji expects more from the middle this season.

Apparently WAC freshman of the year Brittany Hewitt plus the heir to Amber Kaufman’s position equals more offense, though it probably won’t be as efficient.

In her fourth year, Kaufman destroyed the school record for attack percentage, hitting a phenomenal .431. On the other hand, she averaged just 2 1/2 kills a set. Along with Hewitt’s 1.6 kills at .343, the Wahine barely got four kills from the position. Shoji is convinced that can improve when this season starts in nine days.

"The middle blockers just hit and block," Shoji says. "That’s their job, their whole purpose for being out there. We’ve got to have offensive production from both positions.

"I think Brittany will average more than two kills this year for sure. The other (middle) needs to be close."

From the moment Kaufman’s volleyball eligibility ended at last year’s final four, Hawaii was looking to Hewitt to be its rock in the middle this fall.

For now, freshman Emily Hartong, has moved into Kaufman’s slot.

Shoji likes the Los Alamitos (Calif.) graduate’s physical skills, particularly her powerful legs, and describes Hartong as having a "motor that won’t quit." Like Kaufman, she is active and quick laterally and vertically, making her available for pretty much any set. Her speed can compensate for inexperience in reading the opposing setter, and her club coach described her as having "praying mantis arms" that reach out and touch a lot of volleyballs.

Hewitt is more gangly, yet extremely graceful. Her freshman performance proved she had substance and style as she grew more comfortable with each early-morning practice. She has blossomed since.

"Brittany physically has come into her own," Shoji says. "You started to see a little bit of it last year. Now when you look at her she just looks fit. She’s jumping higher, she’s had a year under her belt. Everything will be better and we need it to be. She’s got to produce more offense."

Hewitt ranked 20th nationally in blocking (1.33) last year, on an undersized team where no one else was even close.

"We’re touching a lot of balls in practice, which is a good sign," Shoji says. "But we don’t block for points. We block for transition more."

If Shoji wants to "look large," junior Alexis Forsythe is an option. She missed all of spring practice because of illness, but helps the Wahine match up with big teams. Forsythe came in for Kaufman at the NCAA Regionals last year and suddenly Hawaii no longer looked smurf-like as it beat down eighth-ranked Illinois.

"She’s got presence, she’s big," Shoji says. "When you look at her, she looks like (Olympian) Heather Bown out there, but she’s not as quick."

Redshirt freshman Kristiana Tuaniga might be the wild card in the middle. She’s quick, particularly going side-to-side, but is still working on her strength and endurance.

"I see potential in her to do everything we need her to do," Shoji said. "It’s just not always there."