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PrintMarch 17, 2008
Honolulu, HI (UWIRE) -- The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine volleyball team will hit the court this week in two round-robin exhibition mini-tournaments at the Stan Sheriff Center.
The events will take place on Tuesday, March 18, and Friday, March 21, with three matches each night starting at 4:30 p.m. The Rainbow Wahine will play the last two matches on each night, starting at 5:30 and 7 p.m.
Tuesday's mini-tournament will feature Hawai'i, Cal State Northridge and Nittaidai (Japan). Northridge and Hawai'i will return to the court on Friday to play St. Mary's in the second mini-tournament.
Head coach Dave Shoji says that the spring tournaments will help the team to improve their skills.
"I want to see some improvement by the players individually because we really haven't had a lot of time to work on the team concept, so the focus is more on each player than the team," Shoji said.
Last season, the 'Bows said aloha to four seniors: middle blockers Juliana Sanders, Kari Gregory and Caroline Blood and libero Raeceen Woolford. Sanders was a frequent starter, and without her, Shoji says that other players will have a chance to show their skills.
"We've got a new player, a transfer from Arkansas, Catherine Fowler, and I believe that she will do quite well. We also have a younger player named Amanda Simmons, who's going to be a good player in time, so those two will have some time to step in," Shoji said.
Shoji also says that red-shirt freshman Stephanie Ferrell, who was hurt during the fall season, has been playing well recently and will demonstrate this in the series. He added that the setters will also be key to the tournament, as they've improved since last fall.
"Those are the players that didn't play much last year, but you'll see them and hopefully they'll play well," Shoji said.
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The team started spring workouts during the second week of school, which includes conditioning four times a week and practice twice a week.
"Everyone's been working hard to get stronger at practice," Ferrell said. "I think that we're more than prepared for this tournament."
Ferrell also hopes to gain experience. "The tournaments will allow us to build up team chemistry because we have new players and it will just give us time to bond and get to know each other on the court."
(C) 2008 Ka Leo O Hawaii via UWIRE