5 Things We Love about UH Wahine volleyball
University of Hawaii Wahine Dani Mafua and Elizabeth Kaaihue embraced as Henry Kapono sang during Senior Night last month at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Kai Lau of Honolulu shows her love for Wahine Volleyball by drawing pictures of the players like the one at right. The proud fan says, "I always enjoy the action, coordination and suspense involved in the game ... Thank you for all the memories, past and future."
The Sheriff Center.
The "endzone aunties" Lauretta Sewake, left, Lenora Yagi, and Lauren Kim are a fan fixture at the Stan Sheriff Center during Rainbow Wahine home games.
Fans cheer on as the Wahine score a point during a game.
Head coach Dave Shoji shown at the final home game of the Rainbow Wahine volleyball season last month.
Gwen Nakamura, director of the University of Hawaii Pep Band, sports a rainbow balloon hat during a game.
Fan digs volleyball Senior Night
I love the tradition of Senior Night! The lei, song, and dance — there’s nothing else like it. I’m so glad we have the opportunity to thank the girls for giving us so many hours of excellent and enjoyable volleyball. I also love the energy the UH Pep Band brings to the game! Mahalo to Gwen Nakamura and the band! — Kelly Tani, Foster Village
New season means new fun
I love Wahine volleyball because of the team’s ability to play the game. They create an exciting atmosphere that is so uplifting for the fans at the Stan Sheriff Center. I look forward to each season to be with the players and renewing friendships. When the season ends it’s aloha to the oldies and welcome to the newbies. The love cycle starts all over again. — Soli Aquino, Pearl City
Players rise up to the challenge
Every time one of our best players graduates, I wonder how we will do without her. And when we lose several great Wahine in one year, I wonder how our team will do the following year. But somehow other players rise up and we are never disappointed. Each new season brings new talent and new stars to cheer for. Our coaching staff knows how to bring out the best in each team member. — Laraine Yasui, Pearl City
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‘End-zone aunties’ spread aloha
No other place cares about volleyball like Hawaii. And nowhere else do the players — home and opposing — feel the aloha that is given by the "end-zone aunties" at the Stan Sheriff Center. For over 10 years, Lauretta Sewake, Lenora Yagi and Lauren Kim have camped out in their seats on the mauka baseline an hour before matches, counting lei and other goodies to make sure both teams are taken care of. The opponents are often caught off guard when, after losing to UH, they see the three hanai aunties gesturing to come over for a lasting remembrance of how much their play and their sport is appreciated. And no Wahine or Warrior dares leave the court without going over to say thank you. — Cindy Luis, Star-Advertiser
Hot Wahine have cool spot
The thing I love about Wahine Volleyball is that we have the greatest and most respectful fans, that there are so many of them, and we can all watch the Wahine play in cool comfort at the Stan Sheriff Center. When the Rainbow Wahine played at Klum Gym, which was like a sweatbox with bench seats, the maximum capacity was 2,000. Now the air-conditioned Stan Sheriff Center has a capacity of 10,050 and the average turnout is usually around 6,500. And, the Stan Sheriff Center has lots of food and the UH Rainbowtique shop. Go Bows! — Harriet Dunbar, Kaimuki
