Hawaii homecoming

With every trip back home, the game becomes more and more special. The Nevada Wolf Pack will start three players from Hawaii in Thursday’s Western Athletic Conference women’s volleyball match against the Rainbow Wahine.

Juniors Elissa Ji and Kelly Chang will play here for the third time, while setter Tatiana Santiago makes her fourth appearance on the Stan Sheriff Center court for the Wolf Pack.

Santiago is the only senior, but it’s still likely to be the final game for all three back home. Nevada will leave the WAC for the Mountain West next season, and the Rainbow Wahine will go on to play in the Big West.

"It’s kind of sad for me and Kelly, but good for Tati because it’s her last year," said Ji, a 2009 Maryknoll graduate. "I think we’re ready for something different, but at the same time I love coming home and I’m glad I get the chance at least this one more time to play (in Hawaii)."

Santiago, the team’s starting setter, recently became the school’s sixth player to record 2,000 assists in a career. The 2008 Kamehameha graduate admitted it never gets old playing at home.

"It’s actually getting more exciting because there’s one more day left and this is my last time I get to play in front of my family and friends," said Santiago, who has five of Nevada’s nine double-doubles this year. "People are texting me, calling me, telling me they can’t wait to watch me play."

Nevada has never beaten Hawaii in 22 WAC matches, and at 2-10 this year, would need a miracle to top the 11th-ranked Rainbow Wahine.

The Wolf Pack went through a coaching change in the offseason, and first-year coach Ruth Lawanson brings a different approach that the players have seemed to respond to.

"She’s more of a coach I’m used to," Ji said. "She’s strict and she’s demanding, but she pushes you to get the most out of your potential and it’s harder this year … but I feel like I can become the best player I can be."

Ji has twice led Nevada in kills this season and is averaging 1.66 per set, ranking fifth on the team.

Chang, a 2009 Hawaii Baptist alum, posted a career-high 21 digs against Butler earlier this season and is sixth in the WAC with 3.36 digs per set.

She’s already surpassed her digs total from last year and is on pace to shatter her current season high of 173 set as a freshman.

The Wolf Pack opened league play by dropping a close five-set match at Fresno State last weekend at home. It was the first two home matches after beginning the season with 10 in a row on the road.

"It’s been a rough preseason," said Chang, the starting libero. "Traveling has its moments and you get to see a lot of cool places, but it’s also exhausting."

It won’t get any easier. The team leaves today for Thursday’s match against Hawaii. The Wolf Pack’s stay is less than 48 hours because they have to hop on a plane to Northern California for a Saturday match against San Jose State.

Part of the fun in returning home, however, is the local girls get to spend Thursday night at home instead of at the team hotel.

"It means a lot to me, especially because I get to see my grandparents and stuff," Chang said.

While Ji and Chang have another year, it’s the final go-around for Santiago, who could return home as soon as she graduates in May. Other possibilities, including the opportunity to play professionally, could delay that return home.

"My coaches have told me about playing overseas for a couple of years," said Santiago, the team captain. "It obviously depends how well my season goes, but that would definitely be a good experience for me."

She’s currently fifth in the WAC, averaging 9.22 assists per set.