Dave Shoji is expecting to fill the position quickly. He needs to, what with practice for his Hawaii women’s volleyball team starting Aug. 9 and the first match on Aug. 26.

But replacing associate coach Kari Ambrozich won’t be easy.

"Oh, gosh, I can’t imagine what it is going to be like without her," Shoji said. "We’ve worked together for so long, she knows how I like things. She’s done a lot for the program and me.

"I’ll miss her."

Ambrozich, a former setter for the Rainbow Wahine (1991-94), officially announced Friday her resignation from the program after 14 seasons. She is staying within the athletic department as an academic advisor effective Aug. 1.

UH has posted the job opening on its website. There will be no national search.

Shoji is hoping to start interviewing next week and have someone in place by the first week of practice. Without the required time needed for the permanent hiring process, the position is posted as interim for this season.

Some names have surfaced as potential hires, most prominently that of Robyn Ah Mow-Santos. The three-time Olympian and former Wahine All-America setter most recently was a student-coach for the UH men’s team last spring while she worked to complete her undergraduate degree.

Shoji cannot comment on the hiring process but did say Ah Mow-Santos would be a very qualified candidate if she applied.

Another potential candidate being mentioned is former UH setter Jennifer Carey (1999-2002). However Carey was recently promoted from director of operations to assistant coach at California.

Ryan Tsuji, who filled in for Ambrozich while she was on maternity leave in 2008, said he would not apply.

Ambrozich said she will miss working with Shoji. She was his longest-tenured assistant.

"It’s been an honor to coach alongside Dave Shoji, one of the greatest coaches in collegiate women’s volleyball history, and to have helped develop some of the finest players in the nation," Ambrozich said.