Hawaii’s eighth-ranked volleyball team flew out Wednesday night without all-conference hitter Jane Croson. The sophomore is suspended indefinitely for breaking team rules, Rainbow Wahine coach Dave Shoji said. He called it a "serious offense," but would not elaborate.
Shoji said Croson would be reinstated later if she "meets some obligations."
The Wahine had hoped to redshirt freshman Tai Manu-Olevao this season, but have taken her on their second Big West trip and expect to use her. The all-state hitter helped Punahou to the state championship last year.
"Tai can be a force," Shoji said. "She has played extremely well in practice. We’ve been talking everyday about activating her and putting her in the lineup. This is an opportunity to take a look at her."
Hawaii will decide on a lineup after today’s practice. It was scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles early this morning and take a four-hour bus ride up to San Luis Obispo. The Wahine play Cal Poly (1-14, 0-3) Friday and UC Santa Barbara (8-10, 1-2) Saturday.
Both matches will be streamed live on bigwest.tv and broadcast on KKEA 1420-AM.
Emily Hartong — who sat out Tuesday’s practice to rest some minor medical problems — and Croson are 1-2 in kills and responsible for 56 percent of Hawaii’s terminations. Croson is also a primary passer and ranks second on the team in digs.
Her absence creates more chaos in the Wahine hitting rotation, which has changed weekly. Recently, Hartong has played on the right — her third position at UH — with Croson and transfer Ashley Kastl on the left. Croson (.213) and Kastl (.233) have the team’s lowest hitting percentages.
Kaela Goodman is also an option on the right and Manu-Olevao will probably debut on the left. Ginger Long has made the travel team for both trips because of her ability to play in both the front and back row.
"Ashley is under-sized and has to be smarter," Shoji said. "She has the ability to terminate for sure, she just has to pick her time. Kaela is in the mix on the right and we’ve played like that already so we’re comfortable with the lineup.
"The unknown factor is Tai and what she brings to the team. She’s very, very dynamic, but she is a true freshman and true freshman usually struggle outside."
