Control what you can control.
That’s worked all volleyball season long for Hawaii.
When it came to the NCAA tournament, the Rainbow Wahine couldn’t control their seed (12), their region (Wisconsin) or the weather (8 degrees overnight in Madison, Wis.). What they have been able to control is how they’ve practiced and how they’ve played, which has gotten 12th-seeded Hawaii on a plane today headed for a third-round match with fifth-seeded Nebraska on Friday.
The Wahine (26-3) have packed for the long haul, which includes extending the road trip to Pittsburgh, site of next week’s final four. The invisible luggage includes the confidence built after reaching the third round for the first time since 2015 and belief in winning the national title on Dec. 21.
“We just got to do what we’ve been doing,” Hawaii senior setter-hitter Norene Iosia said prior to Monday’s practice. “We need to continue to work hard. Nothing needs to change.
“Nebraska is a big, physical, all-around team. We’ve played teams taller than us and we’ve been doing fine. We’re in it for the long run. This is all new to our team and we’re trying to enjoy every moment.”
It’s new territory for some of the Wahine. It’s completely new for their five freshmen and for most of the other underclassmen — the NCAA tournament ended with a first-round loss in 2017 and 2018.
Iosia’s freshman season ended in the second round, marked by the match-ending injury to senior Nikki Taylor three points into the contest with Minnesota, followed by then-coach Dave Shoji’s announcement several weeks later of a prostate cancer diagnosis.
It’s been a different experience for Hawaii’s four transfers, three from Oregon and one from Utah. In three seasons at Utah, setter Bailey Choy — playing now as a graduate student — and the Utes were eliminated in the first (2016), the second (2018) and third (2017).
Juniors Kyra Hanawahine, Jolie Rasmussen, Brooke Van Sickle and the Ducks had their seasons end in the second round twice (2016 and ’17) and then by Nebraska in the fourth round last December. Van Sickle, used as a serving/defensive specialist, had one kill and three digs against the Huskers. Hanawahine didn’t play, while Rasmussen was a redshirt.
“I know Nebraska is a very good team,” said Rasmussen, who played in three sets last week after missing 20 matches with an ankle injury. “But I look at the way our players hold themselves, the way they handle adversity, and I know they’re ready.
“We’re conference champions. We’re in the Sweet 16. It’s going to be high-level volleyball. We’ll bring our game, they’ll bring their game. It will be a battle.”
“We haven’t made it past the first round the last two years and now we’re in the Sweet 16 … it’s awesome,” third-year Wahine coach Robyn Ah Mow said. “The atmosphere will not be this (in the Stan Sheriff Center), it’s not our fans. We need to keep doing what we’re doing.
“I’m pretty sure everyone’s going to be nervous. I’ll probably be nervous. A couple of points and we’ll get into it.”
Snow showers are in Madison’s forecast for Saturday. Freshman middle Amber Igiede is hoping to see snow for the first time in two years as well as playing in the Elite Eight.
“The last time it snowed in Louisiana was two years ago yesterday,” the Louisiana native said of the Dec. 8, 2017 snowfall. “I’m excited to see snow again. I’m excited to be playing.
“We’re all packing jackets for sure and our team is packing for the finals. Our team is ready. We have all the tools we need. I believe it all comes down to mentality, which team brings their game. I don’t think any of us are intimidated.”
Notes
Hawaii has a limited number of ticket packages available for the regional. Orders must be placed online at etickethawaii.com or by calling the Stan Sheriff Center ticket office (956-4482) by 11 a.m. Wednesday. … Two-day packages for the general public sold out in less than 20 minutes on Monday. The UW Field House (capacity 7,052) also was sold out for last week’s opening rounds, finishing with the third-highest attendance behind Nebraska and Hawaii for each of the first two rounds as well as total.
NCAA WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
At Madison, Wis.
UW Fieldhouse (7,052)
(Seed and record in parenthesis)
All times Hawaii
Friday’s third round
No. 25 Texas A&M (13, 23-7) at No. 5 Wisconsin (4, 24-6), 9 a.m., ESPNU
No. 18 Hawaii (12, 26-3) vs. No. 6 Nebraska (5, 27-4), 11:30 a.m., ESPN3
Series: Nebraska leads Hawaii, 7-4
Saturday’s fourth round
Friday’s winners, 1 p.m., ESPNU
TV: ESPNU (Saturday only if Hawaii advances)
Radio: 1420-AM/92.7-FM
Online: ESPN3.com
