HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine volleyball head coach Dave Shoji announced the signing of four student-athletes to a national letter of intent Wednesday afternoon, the first official day of the fall signing period.

 

UH signed Kaela Goodman (Mission Viejo, Calif.), Emily Hartong (Los Alamitos, Calif.), Mita Uiato (Long Beach, Calif.) and Michelle Waber (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) for the 2010 season.

 

“This class definitely fills a lot of our needs. Each player has a chance to contribute immediately,” Shoji said. “With these players, our future teams look promising.”

 

Goodman is a 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Mission Viejo, Calif. and has been playing with Uiato for Laguna Beach Volleyball Club. She attends Mission Viejo High School. She has just returned from injury, but was touching 10-feet 2-inches as a junior.

 

“Kayla can play the right or the left. She has great blocking skills and will add to our depth at the outside hitter position.” – Dave Shoji

 

Hartong, a 6-foot-1 middle from Los Alamitos, Calif., played club with Mizuno Long Beach Volleyball Club. Hartong won the league championship with Los Alamitos High her junior year. Her club team also won the junior Olympics last summer, where she was selected all-tournament.

 

“Emily reminds me a lot of Amber Kaufman. She hits behind the setter extremely well and is an active blocker.” – Dave Shoji

 

Uiato is a 5-foot-8 setter from Long Beach, Calif. and has played club volleyball with Goodman for Laguna Beach Volleyball Club the last four years. She attends Long Beach Poly High School. She has proven to be one of the most talented setters to come out of this class.

 

“Mita is a natural born setter. She makes the game look easy and she is the setter of our future.” – Dave Shoji

 

Waber is a 6-foot-3 outside hitter from Elsinore High School in Lake Elsinore, Calif., where she has been playing club volleyball for 951 Elite Volleyball Club. Waber is one of 24 girls selected to train with USA Volleyball this winter break.

 

“Michelle is a natural left side hitter, even though she has played middle most of her high school career. We feel like she has great all-around skills and may be able to contribute right away.” – Dave Shoji