Wednesday, November 4, 1998
Wahine get another
shot at Cougars
Brigham Young is the last
By Cindy Luis
team to beat the streaking Hawaii
women's volleyball team
Star-BulletinIt's one home-court advantage that even the visitors enjoy.
It's the Stan Sheriff Center, home to No. 9 Hawaii and the top volleyball fans in the country. For the fourth consecutive season, Hawaii is leading the country in attendance (90,052). UH will break the 100,000 mark this week with matches against No. 4 Brigham Young and Utah.
"We're looking forward to coming out this week," Utah women's volleyball coach Beth Launiere said from Salt Lake City yesterday. "It's a fun place to play. The crowd is so knowledgeable and appreciative of volleyball. It's a really good environment, even for opposing teams.
"It's definitely different from other places, not a snake pit-like gym where the fans are on top of you and are negative. It's all about good volleyball when you play there, a feel-good place because the opposing teams know they're appreciated."
How true that holds for BYU tomorrow remains to be seen. The Cougars ended the Wahine's 53-match conference winning streak last month in Provo and have defeated Hawaii in four of the last five meetings, including twice for the WAC Tournament title.
The last Wahine victory came at the Sheriff Center in 1996 in the NCAA regional final. The win sent Hawaii to its first final four since 1988.
"I think we've improved a lot since we last played them," Wahine senior setter Nikki Hubbert said. "That was one of our worst performances on the road. We've been playing well since then.
"I think everyone is fired up and focused on what we need to do. We have to go out there and forget about what happened the last time. There is no doubt in my mind that we can beat them. But everybody's got to be up and on their game if we're going to do it."
On Oct. 10, BYU prevailed, 15-10, 15-11, 7-15, 15-4. The Game 3 loss was just one of four games the Cougars have dropped in their 21 wins. Their lone defeat of the season was to No. 1 Long Beach State, 3-1.
Last month, Hawaii had difficulty containing 6-foot senior hitter Korie Rogers (12 kills, 11 blocks) and 6-4 junior opposite Mari Burningham Carpenter (17 kills). Freshman blocker Nina Puikkonen, at 6-3, had 15 kills and 10 blocks.
"The feeling is we beat ourselves the last time," Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said.
Today, the UH volleyball office hosted a Cougar film fest. Shoji invited his players to watch film on BYU if they had any free time before today's practice and official film session.
Hawaii has won seven in a row since losing to BYU. The Cougars are on a 16-match win streak.
"I anticipate a good match between them," Launiere said. "I think BYU is a very good team, the best BYU team I've seen in my nine years here. I think Hawaii has their hands full. But this Hawaii team is pretty good, too. It being in the islands could be the difference.
"In terms of matchups, they have different styles. BYU runs a little quicker offense, Hawaii is more physical. BYU has five solid weapons, but Hawaii has a lot of options and mixes up their offense really well. I think Hawaii's serving and defense will be the key."
Wahine junior blocker Heather Bown has unveiled an effective jump serve in the last three matches. The Wahine are second in the WAC in aces (138).
"Our big focus has been on blocking and tracking the hitters," Hubbert said. "We need to cover our hitters, too, and take smarter shots.
"I don't think we're approaching this match any different. We're always looking to win. We need to play hard so we can come out with a victory."
Wahine volleyball
Tomorrow: No. 4 Brigham Young (21-1, 8-0 WAC) at No. 9 Hawaii (19-2, 9-1), 7 p.m.
http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu
