HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine volleyball coach Dave Shoji announced the signing of two transfers, Alexis Forsythe of Houston Baptist and Corinne Cascioppo of Mesa State, for the 2009 volleyball season.

 

Both players will come in as sophomores during the 2009 season, playing just one year at their respective colleges. The two come from the same club volleyball team, 951 Elite in Temecula, Calif.

 

Forsythe hit .339 with 1.99 kills per set and a team-high 0.74 blocks per set during the 2008 season at Houston Baptist. The 6-4 middle from Lake Elsinore, Calif., was a second-team all-CIF performer in high school.

 

“Alexis is a player we looked at out of high school,” Shoji said. “We feel she is a big-time middle blocker and will be competing for a starting position immediately.”

 

Cascioppo averaged 3.00 kills, 0.54 digs and 0.42 blocks per set for Mesa State in 2008. The 6-3 right-side hitter from Temecula, Calif., earned first team all-league honors at Temecula Valley High School.

 

“Corinne gives us added depth at the outside hitting position,” said Shoji. “She plays mainly at the opposite position and can be a big-time blocker there. Her size can definitely be a factor at the net.”

 

The Rainbow Wahine will open the 2009 season with the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational, hosting Western Michigan, Santa Clara and UCLA from Aug. 28-30.