Heading into its opening week of competition, the No. 4 Hawaii sand volleyball team might have as many question marks as it does possible combinations for its pairs lineup.
Minor injuries and illnesses have made it difficult for first-year coach Jeff Hall to make a decision regarding the duos who will start in Friday’s opener against No. 6 Loyola Marymount and, an hour later, against top-ranked Pepperdine at Queen’s Beach.
But the depth and talent of the Rainbow Wahine have alleviated some of the worry for Hall, who left Thursday for Colorado on a recruiting trip for the UH indoor team, of which he is the associate head coach.
"We’ve had to throw out the normal thought process because of the rash of injuries and sickness," Hall said. "We have to be patient and wait, but we are ready to play against someone other than ourselves."
The biggest decision is moving 6-foot-3 sophomore Nikki Taylor to team with 5-9 senior Brittany Tiegs. Both earned All-America honors last season — Tiegs with the since-graduated Karissa Cook at No. 1 and Taylor with then-sophomore Katie Spieler at No. 2.
Splitting up the successful (35-13) Spieler-Taylor tandem is a decision not being made lightly, Hall said.
"Britt needs someone with physicality. She and Nikki are our two best volleyball players. Britt is an exceptional beach player, can do so many things. And Nikki is incredible for having only played one year. We like that matchup at No. 1 because we know all the other No. 1 teams are going to be physical and we have to match that."
The search for a partner for the 5-5 Spieler continues. It might be 6-foot freshman Lara Schreiber, a German national with extensive international experience. Or it could be 6-2 senior Olivia Urban, who went 20-8 last season, partnered mostly with London Chow at Nos. 4 and 5.
Of the 17-player roster, four have crossed over from the Rainbow Wahine indoor team: freshmen Clare-Marie Anderson, Gianna Guinasso and Emily Maglio, along with Taylor. Maglio has been the biggest surprise, both Hall and volunteer assistant Danny Alvarez said.
"Emily has been our best blocker by far," Alvarez. "She’s got good ball control, passes well, is starting to jump-serve. She may not be able to handle (being paired at No. 1 or 2), but she’s closer than you would think, coming in with not a lot of experience. You could see right away how athletic she was. I could see her making the Canadian Olympic team in beach if she decides to go that route."
The 6-4 Maglio played in 19 sets for the indoor team at middle blocker and never served. She believes the sand experience will help her overall game and maybe allow her to play some back row in the fall.
"It’s going really well," Maglio said. "I played a bit back home, but not at this level and not every day. It’s more than just blocking and hitting. I get to serve and pass. I think it will help my (indoor) game."
Hawaii is expected to be at full strength by Friday’s first serve against the Lions. Tiegs and Schreiber have missed practices due to illness; Taylor sprained her ankle slightly during practice Feb. 13 but was cleared Wednesday, and Heather Boyan, who completed her indoor career at Western Kentucky last fall, had an injured toe.
The SandBows have had several losses this month. Assistant coach Michelle Meyer became the director of volleyball operations at Pepperdine, joining former UH associate indoor/head sand coach Scott Wong. And freshman setter Kendra Koelsch has decided to concentrate on playing indoor.
Hawaii also has received non-binding oral commitments from four players from California for 2015-16, including La Jolla High’s Chloe Luyties, daughter of former UCLA All-American Ricci, the current women’s coach at UC San Diego. The others are Julia Chizanskos (Archbishop Mitty), Morgan Martin (Mission Viejo) and Emma Smith (Mira Costa).
SANDBOWS VOLLEYBALL
At Queen’s Beach, Waikiki
Friday
>> No. 6 Loyola Marymount vs. No. 4 Hawaii, 9 a.m.
>> No. 1 Pepperdine vs. No. 6 Loyola Marymount, 10 a.m.
>> No. 1 Pepperdine vs. No. 4 Hawaii, 11 a.m.
RAINBOW WAHINE INVITATIONAL
With Hawaii, Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine
>> 1:30 p.m. Friday
>> 8 a.m. Saturday
