The University of Hawaii women’s volleyball team opens practice today and the urgency should be unmistakable.
And not just because this may — or may not — turn out to be Dave Shoji’s last go around as head coach, a decision to come later on.
About as fast as you can say, "Hook ‘Em Horns," the Aug. 30 season opener at the Stan Sheriff Center — against defending national champion Texas — will be upon the Rainbow Wahine.
For the first time in five years, there will be no warm-up act in the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational before they get down to business. No easing into the season before being required to work up a sweat.
Traditionally, the Wahine have smacked around an Eastern Washington or two before they wade into the marquee visitors such as UCLA or Stanford.
This time there will be no Albany opener like last year or San Francisco (2011), San Diego (2010) and Western Michigan (2009) before that.
For just the second time in their history, the Wahine could open the season at home against a No. 1-ranked defending national champion and all that comes with it. They did it with Penn State in 2008.
UH has opened against No.1s on the mainland before, but those were in national kickoff tournaments.
"The good teams expose you," Shoji acknowledges. "That’s what tough openers are all about. You’ve got to find out about your team. Why not (do it) on the first night?"
The American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll is due out Monday, and the Longhorns, who return all but one utility player from the 29-4 national champs, are the presumptive No 1.
Which is the way Shoji planned it. Well, sort of.
"I knew Texas would be up there, they always are," Shoji said. "But this was set up before they won it (all)."
The idea being that with seven seniors and a veteran squad the Rainbow Wahine might as well jump into the deep end of their schedule right away. But then that was before the departures of Jane Croson and Monica Stauber.
Now, Shoji will tell you, "People think we are crazy to open with Texas" and wonder why one of UH’s other opponents in the tournament field, Texas-El Paso or San Diego, didn’t get placed in the leadoff spot. "Half the fans would like to see you beat somebody on your opening night and the other half just wants to see you play a really good team," Shoji said.
Of course, Shoji would like to give them both what they want on the same Friday night to open his 39th season.
"If we can win, it would set the tone for season," Shoji said. "But if you lose, will people get down on you? I don’t know. We’ll see."
As a team, we’re told, the Wahine have yet to talk about the matchup with Texas. But it isn’t like they don’t know who is first up on the schedule or the size of the task that comes with it.
"I think our players understand," Shoji said. "They know we have to be ready."
That countdown begins today.
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Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.
