Shoji returns to find a mismash unit

Hawaii volleyball coach Dave Shoji avoided mosquitoes and the Zika threat while in Rio de Janeiro only to have the injury bug bite his Rainbow Wahine team in his absence.

On Wednesday, Shoji returned to the Stan Sheriff Center for his first look at what has become a M*A*S*H unit. Two of the top players — senior All-American opposite Nikki Taylor and senior middle Annie Mitchem — are out for this week’s opening tournament, and junior hitter Kalei Greeley, a two-year starter, is not 100 percent recovered from offseason shoulder surgery.

“We’re trying all kinds of scenarios,” said Shoji, back from the Olympics where his sons were part of the bronze-medal winning U.S. men’s volleyball team. “It’s mix and match out there, trying to get the most out of our players who are available.

“When you have three really good players out or not 100 percent, it’s a little disappointing. But it is the way it is.”

The current scenario has reserve junior setter Kendra Koelsch moving to opposite to replace Taylor, and sophomore Casey Castillo moving to the middle from her more natural position on the outside.

Shoji said the final determination on Friday’s starting lineup against No. 4 Wisconsin won’t be made until after today’s practice.