Outlook Part 1: Outside Hitters
Outlook Part 2: Middle Hitters

Fall camp for the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team is in full swing as the team gears up for its season opener at the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational. HawaiiAthletics.com breaks down the 2011 team by position, here highlighting the setters.

Starters returning: None
Starters lost: Dani Mafua
Letterwinner returning: Mita Uiato
Newcomers: Monica Stauber, Elizabeth Blake

The Rainbow Wahine will need to make up for the loss of Dani Mafua at the setter position. She was a three-time all-region selection and earned AVCA All-America honors in 2010.

As the lone returning setter, sophomore Mita Uiato undoubtedly has the inside track to start. Holding a backup role in her freshman season, she played in all but one match. She was second on the team with 99 assists (1.43 a/g) and boasted a .667 attack percentage. She recorded a season-high 13 assists last season against Louisiana Tech (Nov. 1), and also had quality performances against Hawai'i Pacific (Nov. 5) and St. Mary's (Sept. 11). Versus HPU she recorded 12 assists and posted 11 assists against St. Mary's.

Incoming freshman Monica Stauber has moved herself into a backup role and is expected to see a lot of time on the court in her first season. Stauber's solid progression during preseason camp will give Coach Shoji the option to play two setters in a 6-2 offense. Stauber played her high school ball at Mater Dei High School in California and was a 2011 Senior Aces Top 150 selection. She was twice named league most valuable player and was selected league defensive player of the year in 2008. She also competed in the U-16 Junior Olympics, helping her club team to a third place finish.

Freshman Elizabeth Blake will likely be third on the depth chart for the Rainbow Wahine. She graduated from Kahuku High School last year where she was a 2010 Hawai'i all-state selection.

New to the coaching staff is Rainbow Wahine great Robyn Ah Mow-Santos. Ah Mow-Santos was one of the top setters in UH history and her experience will be sure to help in making the setter position a strength for the Rainbow Wahine. Ah Mow-Santos is a three-time Olympian. She started at setter for the US national team in the 2000 and 2004 games, and helped guide the USA to a silver medal finish at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.  



                                                                                     -UH-