2015 Wahine volleyball: Setting up for success

There are no questions about the depth of talent on this season’s Hawaii volleyball roster. Nor are there questions about the options presented to head coach Dave Shoji given the athleticism and versatility of a number of his Rainbow Wahine players.

The problem will be trying to answer the multiple-choice question where the correct response is "All of the above."

"We have options," Shoji said as he prepared for his 41st season in Manoa. "We don’t have all the answers."

Answers to such queries as: Who plays, who plays where and who plays when or even for how long. After 13 days of practice and Saturday’s scrimmage, the only apparent givens are that the Hawaii coaching staff has a puzzle with interchangeable pieces, some that might fit better together as a playing unit, others that better fit the opponent.

There is no question, however, about the enthusiasm both the players and coaches have regarding the 2015 edition of the Rainbow Wahine, ranked 18th in the preseason poll. It even has Shoji, who has pretty much seen it all, rejuvenated.

"I am very excited about the season and especially this week," Shoji said, "It’s opening weekend. There’s always a bit of butterflies, but it’s exciting.

"We have a good feeling about our team, but you never know until you play someone. Yes, we possibly have the tallest team we’ve ever had and fit. Just hope that translates into good volleyball."

Expectations are high with 12 returnees, including five starters, and a highly touted group of newcomers. The veterans are being pushed hard, but still, it will be hard for either of the two freshmen — hitters McKenna Granato and Casey Castillo — to crack the starting lineup, at least early in the season.

The same can be said for Annie Mitchem, the two-time AVCA two-year-college national player of the year. Mitchem missed the first seven days of camp, and while she’s been cleared to practice, she hasn’t been cleared to play, something that might not happen until Friday prior to Hawaii’s opening match.

Mitchem’s versatility might have led to thoughts of her moving to another position, but the injury to freshman middle Natasha Burns squashed that for now, leaving Mitchem as the third middle behind senior Olivia Magill and sophomore Emily Maglio.

"People will notice the improvement in both of them," Shoji said of his two returnees. "Magill has increased her jump from 10-6 to maybe 10-7. It’s a small increase, but it’s still an increase by a senior and you have to give her a lot of credit for working hard to make that happen.

"Maglio, too, also is very improved."

Shoji had the same assessment of all the returnees, from senior hitter Tai Manu-Olevao — "Just dynamic" — to junior setter Tayler Higgins — "Better delivery, much more accomplished"– to junior hitter Nikki Taylor –"Dramatic difference now that she’s 100 percent healthy."

Manu-Olevao and Higgins were chosen as co-captains by the team.

Taylor, coming off last season’s injured right elbow, is looking like the player that last year’s offense was meant to be built around. She has been pounding the D-set — a back-row set to the right side — with authority while also being very effective from the left.

The odd person out is sophomore Megan Huff, Taylor’s backup on the right for now. Huff missed much of spring volleyball while playing center on the Wahine basketball squad, earning Big West all-freshman team honors as well as the conference’s Sixth Player of the Year award.

"She became a different player over the summer, is probably the most improved," Shoji said. "Everyone will see the difference.

"Unfortunately we don’t have a spot for her right now, playing behind Nikki. But she’s going to help us at some point."

There was an increased sense of urgency in the arena during practices this week. Coaches and players alike can’t wait for opening night and all the firsts that come with it.

"This could be a great year," Shoji said. "But we’re taking it game by game, play by play."

That’s very much what could be said about how much longer the 68-year-old remains as Hawaii’s coach.

"It’s going to happen at some point, and it might be sooner than later." said Shoji, whose contract recently was extended through the 2017 season. "But I am still enjoying it."

And there’s no question about that.

2015 Rainbow Wahine volleyball roster

COACHING STAFF

Head coach: Dave Shoji (41st year, 1,150-196-1) UC Santa Barbara 1969
Associate coach: Jeff Hall (1st year) Pacific 1994
Assistant coach: Robyn Ah Mow-Santos (5th year) Hawaii 1997
Equipment coordinator: James Buccella (20th year)

AVCA Top 25 poll

First-place votes in parentheses with points awarded, 2014 final record and ranking:

Others receiving votes: Long Beach State, 147; Purdue, 131; Oklahoma, 103; Oregon State, 89; Texas A&M, 84; Minnesota, 78; Kansas, 48; Little Rock, 33; Alabama, 24; Western Kentucky, 20; Creighton, 15; Michigan, 12; San Diego, 10; Wichita State, 9; LSU, 8; Miami (Fla.), 7; American, 4.