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Wahine win 18th straight

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
October 22, 2000

HOUSTON - The University of Hawai‘i emerged bruised and bloodied from its women’s volleyball match last night.

But that was nothing compared to the hurt the Rainbow Wahine put on Rice in a 15-8, 15-12, 15-9 victory.

The unbeaten Wahine used motivation from the "MOB" - Marching Owl Band - and inspiration from the mob (the majority of the Autry Court-record crowd of 1,019 wore retro-UH green and cheered for Hawai‘i) to win their 18th match of the season. They are 8-0 in the Western Athletic Conference, sweeping seven of those matches.

The Rainbow Wahine attended the football game between the schools yesterday afternoon, boiling as the Rice band performed a halftime show that mocked UH.

"We got really angry," UH setter Margaret Vakasausau said. "We were going to take it to the Owls in volleyball."

The Wahine, ranked No. 2 in the country, coasted in the first game, then struggled in the second, as the Owls used their quickness to hit around the blocks.

Then with UH trailing 9-7, setter Jennifer Carey and middle-hitter Veronica Lima collided. The Rainbow Wahine won the point, but lost Carey to a nosebleed and dizziness.

"Veronica and I went for the ball," Carey recalled. "Her head hit me in the nose, and I hit my head on the floor. I came up a little dazed and confused. But it’s OK."

UH coach Dave Shoji turned to Vakasausau, who served the tying point when the Owls were called for a double-hit. With Vakasausau at the controls of the offense, Carey said, "We finished them off."

UH left-side hitter Lily Kahumoku said losing Carey was like "losing a limb. Jennifer serves a very vital role on our team. Not having her there is very different because she’s always there."

Most important, Carey and Vakasausau are decidedly different setters. At 6 feet 1, Carey serves as the bookend on double-blocks. She also launches high sets - a technique that, while unconventional, is preferred by the high-jumping Kahumoku.

But against Rice, Vakasausau’s quick, medium-height sets energized the Wahine offense and served as the perfect tonic to the Owls’ towering blocks.

And while Kahumoku had to alter the timing of her swings, she said, "Once the ball leaves the hands of the setter, you own it. So no matter how (the set) is, you have to go up and hit it. You have to make adjustments."

The 5-foot-8 Vakasausau assisted on 17 kills, made one of her own with a no-look swing, kept three balls in play with outstretched dives and, even, had three block assists.

"I think she did a really good job, considering she really hasn’t been in the mix on a regular basis," Shoji said.

Vakasausau said she was surprised she was used in an extended role.

"I thought (Carey would) put cotton in her nose and come back," Vakasausau said. "But it was more than that, I guess, with the head injury. I’m glad that I almost half-filled her shoes."

Six Wahine, led by Kahumoku’s 16 kills, hit more than .360 for the match.

"It was a tough match," Rice’s Briana Cook said, "but it was a good experience to play the No. 1 team."

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