ANN MILLER
Star-Advertiser sports reporter
It will take all the intangibles this team can produce to go deep in the NCAAtournament. Hawaiis greatest asset is its seven seniors. Three of the Rainbow Wahines four national championship teams were blessed with a similar number and it made all the difference.
It has been 25 years since Hawaii won its last match. For this team to get Dave Shoji to the final four, in the same year he becomes the winningest coach in his sport, every senior has to come up huge and inspire younger teammates to play beyond their years, and potential.
Emily Hartong, Mita Uiato and Ali Longo have proven they are capable of competing against anyone. If Hawaii earns a home subregional and actually gets it from the NCAA and those three can bring their teammates along for a magical ride, anything is possible.
CINDY LUIS
Star-Advertiser sports reporter
Having seven seniors on the roster has previously translated to success for Hawaii, including 1983s NCAA championship run and a final-four appearance in 2003. This season should be no exception with a solid group of veterans, including All-American Emily Hartong and all-region setter Mita Uiato, who do have what it takes to get to Seattle.
How deep the Rainbow Wahine can go in the NCAA tournament will depend greatly on the luck of the draw: where they will be seeded, in which regional they will be placed and, of course, the potential opponents.
There is a sense of urgency for this senior-laden group, this being their final chance at a national title, but the entire team is unified in making coach Dave Shoji’s milestone season one where he will become the all-time winningest coach in the sport as special as possible. That could very well be with the programs fifth championship banner.
DAVE REARDON
Star-Advertiser sports columnist
Theres no substitute for a senior with three seasons of starting experience running the show and Mita Uiatos smooth sets to All-American hitter Emily Hartong, another senior, can take Hawaii a long way in the Big West.
But how far into December and the NCAAs can the Wahine go? That will depend a lot on other factors, including the block, back-row defense and serving.
Also, someone needs to step up on the right side to take some of the offensive pressure off Hartong.
FERD LEWIS
Star-Advertiser sports columnist
Win one for the ol man?
If this is, indeed, head coach Dave Shojis 39th and last season at the helm of the University of Hawaii womens volleyball team, what better finish could there be than return to the NCAA final four?
A return to Seattle to exorcise the pain of too many premature endings at that.
A storybook finish with the first national title since 1987 is probably too much to expect. Though we can wish.
But getting to the final four would be something significant to hang his hat on.
MIKE CHERRY
HAWAII NEWS NOW sports reporter
The simple answer is yes. Any team that features star power at each level (outside hitter Emily Hartong, setter Mita Uiato and middles Jade Vorster and Kalei Adolpho) to go along with Dave Shoji on the sideline, has a shot at the final four.
What UH lacks in pure size and athleticism, it will have to make up in flawless execution. With a schedule that features No. 1 Texas and No. 12 UCLA, UH will be tested early. Achieving success and maintaining it through a weak Big West, and re-kindling in the postseason will again prove to be Hawaiis biggest challenge.
Friday, the Longhorns should provide a great gauge for how close or far UH is to where it wants to be.
