Camaraderie met competitiveness with pride and bragging rights very much on the line during Friday’s match between the Hawaii women’s volleyball team and its accomplished alumnae.
The loyalties of the Stan Sheriff Center crowd didn’t have to be divided, but the 3,015 did seem to cheer a little louder for the memories who returned to life on the court.
How could one not applaud when three-time Olympians Robyn Ah Mow-Santos and Heather Bown reconnected on the bread-and-butter step-out play last seen at the Beijing Games? Or when the lime-green-shod Amber Kaufman again showed off her surreal hang time when fooling the block?
Respect was earned on both sides, but it was the current Rainbow Wahine who prevailed after nearly two hours, 25-23, 25-18, 16-25, 25-19.
Kanani Danielson led the alumnae with a match-high 15 kills, while junior hitter Emily Hartong led the varsity with nine kills. Freshman Tai Manu-Olevao, who is redshirting, was eligible to play in the exhibition and finished with six kills and three blocks in the final three sets.
(Complete official stats were not recorded).
“It was such an honor to be out there with players of that high caliber; they were so good,” Hartong said. “And Robyn … She got to so many balls. She is amazing.”
Ah Mow-Santos (1993-96), the Wahine assistant coach, was the oldest player out there against the varsity. She felt it a little after the match, “but it was fun, I was out there for the fun,” she said.
Wahine coach Dave Shoji used 16 players, many who normally don’t get a lot of playing time. It was good experience for all as the team heads out for its road trip Monday night, opening Big West play Wednesday at Cal State Northridge.
“I thought it was beneficial tonight,” he said. “Not that
I’m surprised, but I’m happy we had such a good crowd tonight.”
Kaufman enjoyed every minute.
“It feels good, but I feel so old,” said Kaufman, who played from 2006 to 2009. “I’m surprised so many people came. It all came back — the fans, the adrenaline. I’ve missed it.
“It was such a great opportunity to play with our Olympians and other great players. Nowhere else do you get this. And Hartong is amazing. My hands hurt from trying to block her.”
The varsity used three kills from Ashley Kastl to jump out to a 9-5 lead and control Set 4. The alumnae closed to 19-15 but got no closer; setter Monica Stauber ended it on a dump-shot.
Bown was limited in her playing time by her contract, seeing action in Sets 1 and 2. She leaves for Russia next month.
Green 2, White 1
It was a time for those who normally played in the back row as defensive specialists during their careers to see the front row … and with success. Jayme Lee (2006-09) debuted at setter and Elise Duggins (2006-07) put down 11 kills in a 25-16, 25-19, 6-15 victory.
The preliminary match featured a brief appearance by first-year alumna Chanteal Satele (2010-11), who shared the court with mother Lee Ann Pestana Satele (1981-84).
Kristal Attwood Lopez (1990-94) led the White with 14 kills.
Danielson donates $10,000
Kanani Danielson, a former UH All-American, made good on her promise to give back to the program by presenting a check for $10,000 at Thursday’s alumnae fundraiser dinner. Danielson leaves next month for Japan, where she will begin her professional career.
Carney joins Warriors staff
Sean Carney, a former Hawaii setter and All-State player at ‘Iolani, is rejoining the Warriors as an assistant.
Coach Charlie Wade made the announcement Friday. Carney, the team captain in 2008 and ’09, replaces Vernon Podlewski, who left after two seasons for a non-coaching job.
