Shoji hints vets will start

Classes don’t start until Monday, but the grading has begun for the Hawaii women’s volleyball team. The 10th-ranked Rainbow Wahine concluded their two weeks of preseason practice Saturday in Gym 1 with high marks from coach Dave Shoji.

"I felt like everybody’s game has improved over the last 13 days," said Shoji, beginning his 37th season. "I don’t see a lot of weaknesses, or if there are some, they aren’t blatant.

"We’re a little more athletic defensively and I feel good about everybody’s game. Everyone is pushing each other to get into the lineup."

No definite decision has been made about that starting lineup for Friday’s opener against San Francisco. However, Shoji said it likely will be the veteran-heavy seven who started in the first set of yesterday’s four-set scrimmage watched by about 100 family, friends and boosters.

That means five returning starters in All-American Kanani Danielson, a senior outside hitter; junior second-team All-American Brittany Hewitt and sophomore Emily Hartong in the middle; and senior Chanteal Satele and sophomore Michelle Waber at outside hitters. New to starting roles would be sophomore setter Mita Uiato and junior libero Emily Maeda.

Still, there’s a talented group of freshmen who are giving the UH coaching staff plenty of options to consider, including going with a 6-2 (two-setter offense) that would have Uiato and freshman Monica Stauber — both 5-foot-8 — alternating for three back-row rotations. That offensive scheme would keep a taller block up front at all times.

And then there is the conundrum that is Hartong, who played both middle and outside last season en route to freshman of the year honors in the Western Athletic Conference. She is 6-2, versatile and athletic and doesn’t care where she plays as long as she is on the court.

"I want to help the team however I can, do whatever it takes," Hartong said. "I have no real preference. It used to be middle, but I’ve been playing so much outside lately that I am getting comfortable with that, too.

"I’m feeling comfortable with Mita, wherever I’m playing. I’ve seen all of us progressing, playing well together. We have a lot of depth and we’ve upped our quickness defensively."

Hartong’s ability to play left and right side creates a dilemma, Shoji said. He needs more offense from the middle attack but can’t decide whether to push freshmen Kalei Adolpho and Jade Vorster into the fire or bring them along slowly, meaning Hartong stays put in the middle for most of the matches.