Hawaii’s California girls excited to make trip

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Family, friends, food.

Maybe not in that order, but for the two Hawaii players making their first road trip of the season, it is the fuel that adds to the excitement of being back home in California for the first time in some four months.

At the top of the list, of course, is seeing playing time today at UC Riverside (6-14, 1-7) and Saturday at Cal State Fullerton. With the Highlanders and the Titans at the bottom of the Big West volleyball standings, the odds are higher that junior defensive specialist Gianna Guinasso and freshman McKenna Ross, training at opposite in addition to DS, will see action for the 14th-ranked Rainbow Wahine.

“I’m super excited about having the opportunity to play in front of my immediate family,” said Ross, who grew up in Aliso Viejo. “Our team has continued to get better and I definitely feel that I’m more consistent and my swing has gotten better.”

Hawaii travels with 14 players during conference play and Wahine coach Dave Shoji normally rotates the trips among his walk-ons, most of whom this season are defensive specialists. But a right ankle injury to freshman hitter Kirsten Sibley earlier this week in practice has Sibley — in a walking boot — remaining in Honolulu.

The injury to Sibley likely means senior Annie Mitchem will stay at outside hitter for most of the time this week. The hope is that junior hitter Kalei Greeley, used mostly in the back row as her shoulder continues to rehab after surgery, will take some swings in the front row.

Ross and Guinasso, who is from Huntington Beach, agree about the things they miss most when being away from California, the top being grocery store Trader Joe’s. Also on the list are eateries Panera, Chipotle and In-N-Out Burger.

“My brother is planning to meet us after his club (volleyball) practice (Thursday) and bring me In-N-Out,” Guinasso said. “I haven’t seen my family since July and I’m so happy to be able to see them. My dog will be excited, too.”

Senior opposite Nikki Taylor is eight kills away from passing Diana Jessie (1984-87) for No. 12 on Hawaii’s all-time list. Jessie, a member of the Wahine’s last NCAA championship team of 1987, has 1,266 kills.