Great genes help. There is no denying that Kawika and Erik Shoji have those.
Dad Dave was an All-American setter at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is a Hall of Fame coach courtside for Hawaii, four victories away from having the most all-time in collegiate women’s volleyball.
Mom Mary was a tenacious basketball player in high school and for the Rainbow Wahine, and an inaugural inductee of the Oak Grove (N.D.) Lutheran School Hall of Fame.
But DNA does not equal IQ. Nor does it have a chromosome that identifies passion. Or perseverance. Or pursuing dreams.
For many athletes the ultimate goal is the Olympics. The Shoji brothers already have represented the U.S. at international competition as members of the youth and junior national teams.
Those were all baby steps — albeit impressive baby steps — leading to this year.
This year is different.
Kawika, 25, and Erik, 23, not only are playing together on the same U.S. team for the first time, they are representing the U.S. at the highest level against the best in the world. They have helped the youth-oriented Americans to a somewhat surprising 3-1 start in International Volleyball Federation World League play.
The fifth-ranked U.S. takes a three-match winning streak into today’s contest with Pool A co-leader and No. 8 Bulgaria (4-0) at the Reno Events Center in Nevada. Erik Shoji has started all four matches, Kawika Shoji the last two; on Wednesday they both were named to the 12-man roster that will compete today and Saturday.
"We are off to a great start in World League," U.S. national coach John Speraw said. "A lot of that has to do with the Shoji brothers. They both bring such a high volleyball IQ to the team. The fact that they grew up in the gym, have been around the game since they were very young, is obvious, and it is obviously a plus. The combination of them on the court is fun to watch.
"We weren’t sure how going young was going to work for us result-wise, but I had a hunch it would work for team chemistry. They have been a big part of that happening."
FOR PORTIONS of the first two matches, Kawika Shoji had to do it from the sidelines. Speraw started 2012 Olympic team backup setter Brian Thornton against Argentina, with Shoji subbing in set 2 of both contests, one a 3-1 loss, the other a 3-1 win.
It was a very different situation for the 2010 AVCA national player of the year who led Stanford to the NCAA title that season, but one he used as a learning opportunity.
"It was different, but it gave me the chance to observe from the bench," said Shoji, who started every match when leading the Berlin Recycling Volleys to the German pro league title earlier this year. "The game is played at such a high level at this level. It’s a lot faster — faster than I’m used to. I’m still learning, working on things.
"There were mixed emotions (not starting). I was honored to make the travel team, but at the same time, you want to play."
Speraw said Shoji earned a starting job the following week, helping the U.S. defeat France twice.
Erik Shoji, third among World League players in digs (2.25 per set), said it also was different for him not having his older brother starting.
"We all work so hard, and it’s just the way it went. There’s a lot of competition for your starting spot," Shoji said. "But he’s an asset even when he isn’t playing. He’s another pair of eyes for me, analyzing things. And when he’s in, he brings a different energy. He makes things easier for me because I know what he’s going to do. We have this unspoken communication.
"We each have our individual goals, but those goals happen to be the same. I have my brother but also one of my best friends with me. It’s what we’ve wanted and what we’ve dreamt about for a long time."
Speraw said he knew Erik was a great defender, but wondered how quickly he could make the leap to passing at the international level.
"He’s made the changes we asked," Speraw said. "He’s got incredible instincts, and he could end up being one of the best in the world."
Kawika Shoji agreed.
"He’s beating the learning curve," he said of his brother. "He’s an exciting young prospect. I really believe he can become one of the best in the world.
"It’s really cool that we are sharing this experience together. He makes me look good out there."
Their parents have shared in the World League journey, traveling to all of the domestic stops: Wichita, Kan.; Tulsa, Okla.; and now Reno, Nev.
"I have to admit it was different when Kawika was on the bench," Mary Shoji said. "But it only made him hungrier. He always sees the positive. One of his gifts is being able to analyze the game. When he had the opportunity to play, he knew how to make the most of it.
"We’re blessed that they are both playing at the highest level. This is what they’ve been aspiring to do."
"It’s pretty special," Rainbow Wahine volleyball coach Dave Shoji added. "Watching your kids, you become a parent and a fan. I’m cheering, not jotting down notes. It’s a different role for me.
"It’s neat to see the progression, not just them, but of all the young players they’ve come up through the ranks with. Their goal is to get to Rio (the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil), but it’s so far away. They’re hanging in there and I am proud of them. It’s great to see all the kids with a local angle part of the talent in the gym."
Among those training along with the Shojis are three-time Olympian and former UH opposite Clay Stanley (Kaiser); two other former Warriors in middle Matt Rawson and libero Alfee Reft; former Stanford teammate Brad Lawson (‘Iolani); former BYU All-American Futi Tavana (Kauai); and former UCLA All-American Garrett Muagututia, who spent part of his youth with family in Hawaii.
The weight room at the national team’s training center in Anaheim, Calif., echoes with the sounds of Hawaiian music during workouts.
"Clay is always putting a Hawaiian mix on," Kawika Shoji said. "It’s good to have so many local guys with us. It’s a special bond.
"It’s nice because we really enjoy representing our state. We feel like we’re being ambassadors of Hawaii, not just for the U.S. We realize how many people in Hawaii support us, and we really appreciate it."
There is no guarantee that either Shoji will start this week, nor how much they will play. The roster announced Wednesday added a second libero in 38-year-old Rich Lambourne (BYU), a two-time Olympian, and former UCLA All-American Kyle Caldwell, who started for the U.S. in the 2011 Pan Am Games.
After Reno the U.S. heads to two volleyball-crazy countries to finish out pool play: Poland (0-4) and Brazil (4-0), the latter the host of the 2016 games.
Could a return trip in three years be in the future for the Shojis?
"That would be amazing," Erik Shoji said. "To be playing with my brother representing the U.S. in the Olympics would be the best thing ever."
