Ah Mow-Santos still in awe of Wahine program

Robyn Ah Mow-Santos has played on some of the world’s largest stages — three Olympics, nearly 10 years with the U.S. national team and just as long professionally in Europe. Still, when it comes to arenas, the former All-America setter for Hawaii becomes somewhat Dorothy-esque when saying, "There’s no place like home."

"Nowhere else in the world is like this program," said Ah Mow-Santos, in her fifth season as Rainbow Wahine assistant coach. "I don’t understand why players wouldn’t want to play here, especially with this crowd.

"Being part of this program … it means a lot to me. It might mean different things to other people, but there’s just the feeling, a sense of pride, for a local girl who had no idea growing up that she would go to college."

Ah Mow-Santos, one of the best setters ever to play for Hawaii, will be among the Wahine returning for Sunday’s annual alumnae match. Nearly two dozen are expected for the 3 p.m. match that precedes Hawaii’s 5 p.m. nonconference rematch with CSU Bakersfield.

Ah Mow-Santos credits the late Longy Okamoto, her high school coach at McKinley, for keeping her on the college track. It’s something she tries to pass on when coaching club volleyball.

"He was such a good role model for me," she said of Okamoto, who died in 1995. "I have a lot of young kids in the club right now that I try to push and push, especially the public school girls, about college."

Shoji, a former All-America setter at UC Santa Barbara, said he’s enjoyed having Ah Mow-Santos on his coaching staff.

"I don’t know if it’s because she played for me and that we’ve worked together, but it’s amazing how much we think alike," he said. "It’s reassuring to me that she is usually right on in her observations.

"Robyn sees the game very well, understands the game, knows what’s going on out there. She’ll see something, I’ll see something, and we’re both nodding our heads because we’re seeing the same thing."

Ah Mow-Santos said she is looking forward to Sunday, continuing the tradition that is Hawaii volleyball.

"It’s always fun to see your teammates and see the older players who come back and play," she said. "It’s for fun, it’s for all the ladies to come back on the court.

"This never leaves you, the program. It will be hard to leave if I ever do."

EXPECTED TO PLAY OR COACH IN SUNDAY’S ANNUAL ALUMNAE MATCH

Robyn Ah Mow-Santos (1993-96), Aneli Cubi-Otineru (2007-09), Elise Duggins (2006-07), Lauren Duggins Chun (2000-03), Kaela Goodman (2010-13), Heidi Hemmings (1974-75), Elizabeth Ka’aihue Stoltzman (2007-10), Courtney Lelepali (2011-13), Sarah Mason Solomon (2005-06), Diana McInerny McKibbin (1978-79), Beth McLachlin (1974-75, 77), Waynette Mitchell (1976-79), Marilyn Moniz-Kaho’ohanohano (1972-75), Chasity Nobriga (1992, 94-96), Barbara Perry 1963-65, Joselyn Robins Akana (1993-96), Melissa Villaroman (2000-03), Raeceen Woolford Satele (2004-07) and Marci Wurts Nowack (1980-83).