HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i women's volleyball head coach Dave Shoji the signing of three recruits—Sophia Howling, Shaney Lipscomb, and Skyler Williams—for the 2017 season on Thursday.
 
Howling is a 6-3 middle hitter out of Venice High School in Los Angeles, Calif. where she has recorded over 300 kills in both her sophomore and junior seasons with the Gondoliers. The two-year team captain has earned several accolades during her high school career—including being named to PrepVolleyball's Senior Ace List and their 2017 Juniors List . Howling has been recognized as an AVCA Phenom (2013-16) and was named to both the all-city and all-league first team the past two years. In the classroom, Howling has also been a standout as an all-state Scholar-Athlete Award honoree for 2013, '14, and '15.
 
"Sophia possesses the size and physicality that we look for in players," says Shoji. "She has loads of potential with raw athletic talent and we project her to contribute to the program quickly."
 
Lipscomb is a 6-2 middle/outside hitter from San Diego, Calif. This past fall the six-rotation player was named to several "senior watch lists" including prepvolleyball.com's "Class of 2017 Senior Aces: The 150," and the San Diego Union-Tribune's "Prep Volleyball Players to Watch" list. As a freshman, she helped La Jolla Country Day capture the 2013 Division 5 state championship and as a sophomore she led the Torreys to a state quarterfinals appearance. The past two seasons, she has played for Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego.
 
"We like Shaney's versatility and her aggressiveness," states Shoji. "She plays at a very high-energy level with a strong, competitive spirit which we liked."
 
Williams is a 6-2 middle hitter from Mayfair High School in Lakewood, Calif. an all-league first team selection, Williams helped lead the Monsoons to the league championship and Most Valuable Player honors last season. She also was named her team's "Most Improved" and "Best Offensive Player" while earning all-tournament recognition for the Molten Classic and was a first-team all-league pick as well.
 
"Skyler has great athletic ability with a lot of room for growth," says Shoji. "She will be an emerging player for us in the coming years." She is coached in club by former Rainbow Wahine Alex Griffiths who played at Hawai'i from 2010-11.
 
2017 Signees
Sophia Howling – 6-3, Middle Hitter, Venice High School (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Shaney Lipscomb – 6-2 Middle Hitter/Outside Hitter, Cathedral Catholic High School (San Diego, Calif.)
Skyler Williams – 6-2, Middle Hitter, Mayfair HS (Lakewood, Calif.)