UH Wahine Volleyball preview: Sharper focus has aided improvement

When looking through a microscope with two eyepiece lenses, one changes the focus on one eyepiece to compensate for the difference in vision between one’s two eyes. The diopter adjustment does this and will work perfectly for the two-person sophomore class.

It also helps that Kamalei Krug, a middle/ hitter, and Janelle Gong, a defensive specialist/libero, play different positions. The focus can be on one or the other player.

Krug, the first Division I athlete from the Hawaiian immersion school Ke Kula Kaiapuni ‘O Anuenue, did not play her senior year due to a torn ACL. Her surgery during this past spring has put the 6-foot-2 Krug a little behind but her physicality has been evident during fall camp.

As a true freshman, Krug had a combined 22 kills and 13 blocks in eight matches with one start.

Gong, who redshirted during coach Robyn Ah Mow’s first season, continues to improve her passing and serving skills. It’s something that should get the Campolindo High (Moraga, Calif.) alumna more court time as she vies with juniors Rika Okino and Kyra Hanawahine.

In 13 matches last season, Gong had six aces and 17 digs, including a dig-kill in the five set win over No. 11 Cal Poly on Oct. 26.