The University of Hawaii at Hilo women’s volleyball team looks forward to a dynamic season with a fresh team this year.
UH-Hilo opened practice last week with 10 returning players and seven new faces after the departure of seven players from the 2021 team.
Last year, the Vulcans finished 17-7 overall and 14-6 in the Pacific West Conference for a fourth place finish.
This season will start strong with the two-day Hawaii-Alaska Challenge with matchups against Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Anchorage in Oahu this weekend.
“We have a tough schedule and we’ll be tested early, which we like. It’ll set the bar high for us,” head coach Chris Leonard said. “This is an athletic and talented class and I’m optimistic that we’ll have players that will compete straight out the gate.”
The Vulcans will head back to Oahu for the Magic Island Hawaii Classic with matches against Cal State Stanislaus , Cal State San Bernardino, San Francisco State and Western Oregon University on Friday, Aug. 26.
“This nonconference schedule will help us see where the top teams are in the region and also where we are relative to the top talent in the western region,” said Leonard.
Returning senior setter Kendall Kott is set to achieve some career records as early as this weekend.
Kott currently holds the title for the most assists in one season and is looking to break the record for the most assists in a career at UH-Hilo.
“I think I have about 13 assists left and it feels really good,” Kott said. “I’m excited to be so close and ready for this to be a fun, last season.”
Junior Tani Hoke will also be returning as libero to help lead the team’s defense.
“She’s being challenged by other (defensive specialists) and libero players, but Tani has been outstanding the past two years and one of the best in the conference,” Leonard said. “I think defense will be a strength for us this year as we fill the big shoes that vacated offensively.”
Samara Cruz will be returning as an outside hitter, the position also held by junior college transfer Kamryn Childs.
“I think our new players will fit nicely with our returning players,” Leonard said. “We have a dynamic middle blocker and outsider player with Kamryn Childs and Samara Cruz is continuing to elevate her game.”
On Saturday, Sept. 10, UH-Hilo will return for its home opener against Hawaii Pacific University to a full gym.
After playing the past couple seasons with no fans or at reduced capacity, the team is looking forward to having a better home-court advantage.
“We’ve missed the energy and excitement from the fans,” Leonard said. “It makes for a tremendous environment to play when you have a gym full of knowledgeable, passionate volleyball fans.”
With the level of play growing increasingly tougher in the PacWest, there won’t be many easy games this season for the Vuls.
“Each match will present unique challenges this year and we’ll have to work hard every night on the floor,” Leonard said. “We have a lot of talent, so if we can be a better team with that talent, we’ll have the ability to do some special things.”
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
