When Robyn Ah Mow-Santos looks up at the 1987 NCAA championship banner hanging from Stan Sheriff Center rafters, she sees her past waving down at her. It was those players who anchored Hawaii’s last national title team — especially Tita Ahuna, Mahina Eleneki Martina Cincerova and Teee Williams — who helped inspire Ah Mow-Santos to become a Rainbow Wahine.
"Those were the players I looked up to," Ah Mow-Santos said. "Mahina was my idol. She could do everything. I really liked the way Martina set and how Tita played the game.
"That’s who I was watching when I was getting into volleyball, the ones I saw as playing at the top level that I wanted to get to."
RAINBOW WAHINE VOLLEYBALL
Alumnae night
» Where: Stan Sheriff Center
» When: 7 p.m. Friday
» Matchups: Alumnae vs. alumnae followed by varsity vs. alumnae
» TV: None
» Radio: None
» Tickets: $5-$12
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Ah Mow-Santos did that, earning All-American honors in 1995 and ’96 as UH’s setter. She went on to a pro career and was a three-time Olympian.
Tonight, the Rainbow Wahine assistant coach is the connection between Hawaii’s past and present when she plays for the alumnae team against the current varsity squad.
"For me, I just think of it as another time I can play," she said. "I just wish more of the girls I played with (1993-96) would come back. Who cares if they don’t think they’re in shape. Just come play."
Aneli Cubi-Otineru (2007-09) will be there. Her connection to the program started in 1989 when her sister Babes Kalulu played for UH.
"You want to come back because you miss playing in this setting in front of our fan base," Cubi-Otineru said. "You want to get that feeling again. You want to rekindle those memories.
"I’m always asked what it’s like to have been a Wahine. I say that it’s the best feeling ever, that you’ll never get that kind of support anywhere else. To play in the (alumnae) match is to celebrate volleyball and celebrate playing for Dave (Shoji), the all-time winningest coach."
The format has changed from previous years. The alumnae vs. alumnae contest is just one set to 25.
An alumnae team, with players mostly from the last decade, will then take on the varsity.
Among those scheduled to play against the varsity are Stephanie Brandt (2007-09), Lauren Duggins (2000-03), Brittany Hewitt (2009-11), Hedder Illustre (2001-02), Kanoe Kamana’o (2003-06), Sarah Mason (2005-06), Juliana Sanders (2004-07), Melissa Villaroman (2000-03) and Ashley Watanabe (2002-05).
