With nothing to lose and everything to gain, Brigham Young-Hawaii coach Wilfred Navalta views tonight’s match with No. 7 Hawaii as a welcomed challenge. His eighth-ranked Seasiders rarely have been tested en route to clinching a spot in the NCAA II National Championship Tournament, winning their last 19, including 15 consecutive in straight sets during the run.
The gap between Div. I Hawaii (21-2, 14-0 Big West) and Div. II BYU-Hawaii (20-2 (15-0 PacWest) may seem as obvious as the height differential between the team’s tallest players: the Rainbow Wahine with Jade Vorster and Stephanie Hagins both listed at 6-foot-4, and the Seasiders with 6-1 Lauren Hagemeyer. But BYUH is not conceding, not when the 1-11 series record against Hawaii does reflect a four-set over the Wahine in 1992 (and doesn’t reflect the Wahine having to rally from down 2-1 to win in five in 1998).
"What I’ve told my team is we can compete … IF we take advantage of opportunities," said Navalta, who has a 607-144 record with 10 national titles since taking over the Seasiders in 1985. "We’re not going to be putting up a big block so we’re going to have serve well, pass well. Our back-row defense has kept us in a lot of matches.
"Hawaii presents a lot of challenges with all their talent. They are really balanced and Mita (Uiato) is a really great setter. And with (Emily) Hartong and (Jane) Croson … oh, my. We are going to have our hands full. They are at a different level."
The match comes at a good time, he said. BYUH only has its PacWest finale at Hawaii Hilo Saturday left before the West Regionals start Nov. 29.
"We need good competition to prepare for the postseason," Navalta said. "No matter what happens, this will be a great experience for us."
BYUH features Kahuku High product Tuli Peters Tevaga, who earned All-American honors as a junior in 2006. Six years and two children later, Tevaga said she’s excited that her final season includes a match against Hawaii.
"I’ve watched them for so long," said Tevaga, third on the team in kills (2.39 kps) and second in digs (2.84 dos). "We’re up for the challenge."
NOTE: The Seasiders only losses have come to the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in Div. II when opening the season on the road in Minnesota, 3-0 to host Concordia-St. Paul and 3-1 Southwest Minnesota State. They’re only five-set match came at then-No. 12 Fresno Pacific, a win that capped a five-matches-in-eight-days trip last month.
