UH Wahine Volleyball preview: Staff can draw from its own successes

The specimens in the Hawaii staff Petri dish are a study in success.

Head coach Robyn Ah Mow and associate coach Angelica Ljungqvist are two of the most decorated players in Rainbow Wahine history, with six All-America and seven all-conference honors between them. Ljungqvist, the program’s first four-time All-American, was named the 1996 National Player of the Year by both the American Volleyball Coaches Association and Volleyball magazine, and won the Honda (top female collegiate volleyball player), Stan Bates (top female athlete in the Western Athletic Conference) and Jack Bonham (UH’s top female athlete) awards.

Ljungqvist, a two-time academic All-American, still ranks among the UH career leaders in kills (No. 6, 1,570), hitting percentage (No. 3, .375), aces (No. 4, 133), block solos (No. 3, 110), block assists (No. 1, 623) and total blocks (No. 2, 733). Ah Mow (McKinley) is third in assists (4,313) and fourth in assist average (11.23 aps).

Assistant Kaleo Baxter is in his seventh year overall and third with Ah Mow. He was an all-conference and all-state tournament libero at Irvine Valley College, playing for former Rainbow Warrior All-American Tom Pestolesi. Baxter, who holds the IVC mark for single-match digs (27), finished his career at Cal State Northridge.

Faith Ma’afala, in her first season as director of volleyball operations, played two seasons for Hawaii after transferring from Southern Utah. She played junior year as a defensive/serving specialist and last season led the team in assists in a two-setter offense.

First-year volunteer assistant Puna Kaniho was a four-time Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association all-academic selection as a setter at Grand Canyon. He ranks fourth all-time in assists (1,249).