Wahine's future is
in good hands
with Hubbert

Setter Nikki Hubbert transferred to Hawaii from Washington State.
Photo by Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin

After an unhappy freshman season at Washington State, Hubbert decided to put her setting skills on the market. The terms were reasonable: Allow her to walk on with the hope of a scholarship.

It may have been the best bargain the University of Hawaii women's volleyball team has ever found. It came without the Wahine coaching staff even spending a quarter for a phone call - Hubbert called them in June.

"We saw her play several times and she was a hitter for her club team," said Hawaii coach Dave Shoji, whose top-ranked team faces California tonight and tomorrow. "We never even considered recruiting her. She was not a Division I hitter.

"But she is a Division I setter."

The 5-foot-9 Hubbert was the backup setter for her club team, playing behind prep All-American Janice Mounts, whom Shoji was recruiting at one point. Hubbert did set for her Bakersfield (Calif.) High School team, where she was named all-league, all-area and honorable mention all-state.

Eight matches into this season, Hubbert has become the heir apparent to the No. 1 setter in the country, senior All-American Robyn Ah Mow. These are big hands to fill, but Shoji feels Hubbert has the skills and the potential to join the long line of Wahine setting greats.

Hubbert is just happy to start her volleyball career anew.

"I did not enjoy my stay at Washington State," said Hubbert, who was used primarily as a back-row specialist for the Cougars. "The starting setter was a year ahead of me so they planned to set me on the bench for another two years. I decided to take my chances on going somewhere better.

"I called Dave the week before school was out. I had never been to Hawaii but knew it was a good program. He asked me for a tape and, after he saw it, told me I could come and walk on."

This was with the knowledge that Hawaii already had freshman Keala Nihipali in camp and that Shoji was pursuing prep All-American setter Robyn Lewis. Lewis, a teammate of Wahine freshman Heidi Ilustre on Nike-Ichiban, the Junior Olympic 18-under champion, has since verbally committed to Stanford.

"I knew it was going to be between me and Keala for backup setter this year," said Hubbert, a three-sport standout in high school. "I knew I had to come in and work hard. I'm happy I got the job and happy to be behind Robyn and learn from her.

"My high school coach didn't know a lot of about setting so I've picked up most of what I know on my own. I want to learn better technique and hand position, how to move the ball around, who to set when and how. With Robyn I can watch and learn so much."

Hubbert has played sparingly, getting the chance to run the team in Game 3 last week against both Cal State-Sacramento and Santa Clara. Hawaii dropped Game 3 against the Hornets, 13-15, but Hubbert got her first win against the Broncos, 19-17.

"My first game it was, 'Oh, my gosh, if I make one mistake, I'm going to be jerked out,'" she said. "I had to concentrate on not being nervous. It was hard because I know everyone in the arena was comparing me with Robyn. That was a lot of pressure.

"I know it will get better next year."

"Nikki is going to be ready to step up and take Robyn's spot," said freshman blocker Jennifer Roberts, who plays on the Wahine's second team with Hubbert. "She has the desire to learn more and she really wants to be ready for next season. She's a really big asset now."

Shoji can't say enough about Hubbert.

"She is quite an athlete," he said. "She is very strong physically, very quick with a lot of potential.

"She's capable of doing anything we want her to do. She doesn't have a real soft delivery but she's going to improve. She's got good leadership skills already. We're lucky to have her."

Hubbert's presence upgrades Hawaii's setting situation. She has two more years to run the team, allowing Nihipali the luxury to develop following this redshirt season.

"It's so awesome being here," said Hubbert. "Sometimes the crowd is overwhelming but they're great. It's a fun atmosphere in the arena.

"I'm just glad everything has worked out."

And Shoji's glad he answered the phone.