2016 Preseason Coverage
Part 1: H-TV: Three-Time Olympian Berg Takes Reins With Setters
Part 2: White Holds Off Green In Intrasquad Scrimmage
Part 3: Deep Volleyball Setters Unit Battles Throughout Preseason

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HONOLULU – The No. 6 University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team is going through its final preparations leading up to game day, as the Rainbow Wahine open the season on Friday at 7:00 p.m., taking on No. 4 Wisconsin in the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational (August 26-28). We continue to take a deeper look at the 2016 Rainbow Wahine in the third of a four-part position breakdown. Today, we review the "littles" in the back row—defensive specialists and liberos. "There's a lot of talent and a lot of dedication, a lot of focus in those 'littles'," associate head coach Jeff Hall said. "It's pretty awesome to have that many and they're doing a good job."

Junior libero Savannah Kahakai entered fall camp as the frontrunner after starting all 31 matches last season. Earning all-Big West honorable mention, Kahakai led UH with 424 digs and a 3.96 digs per set average. She also chipped in 92 assists and 14 service aces.

"She is our starting libero, there's no doubt," Hall said. "She's clearly above and beyond everyone in her skill set and she's really committed. She's taken another step forward about honing her craft. She's really committed to being great."

Classmate Clare-Marie Anderson has also made some strides in the offseason after being the first to come off the bench last season to serve for one of the middle hitters. She appeared in all 31 matches and recorded 63 digs and 10 assists with 12 aces.

"She kind of emerged last year as somebody who almost just outworked her teammates and she has gotten a lot better at reception and just defense." says Hall. "She had some unbelievable moments, especially in the NCAA tournament that were really special."

Returning for her final year, Katiana Ponce has 46 matches of experience as she heads into her senior season as a libero and defensive specialist.

"She's been an unbelievably great teammate," Hall noted. "She just comes and works hard every day. She is a great addition to this team, helps the team in any way she can."

Junior Gianna Guinasso is looking to make some more playing time this year, after playing a limited role each of the past two seasons, collecting 11 digs and two aces last year.

"Gianna is a really good volleyball player and has a coach's mind," Hall said. "She's hungry, she wants to be on the floor more so she keeps working."

With such experience in the unit, it will be hard for the newcomers to work into the rotation, but they are a talented group and have shown the drive to improve through the fall practices.

Rookie defensive specialist Rika Okino hails from Honolulu's Kalani High School, and has turned some heads early on, despite coming into the program as a walk-on. One of Kalani's valedictorians this past year, Okino was a two-time second team all-league selection.

"Rika is a local girl who was a walk-on for us and I'm quite impressed," Hall noted. "She's really emerged and is proving herself out here."

Coming out of Manhattan Beach, Calif., freshman Emma Smith arrived at UH with all the accolades a coach could ask for, most notably named twice as the league Libero of the Year. She was named all-CIF each season in beach volleyball and helped her team to 2015 co-league titles.

"Really, really decorated player and she's going to be in the mix at some point, but she's got to keep working," Hall said.

Finally, the tallest of all the 'littles' at 5-10, freshman McKenna Ross comes to UH as a convert from her outside hitter role in high school and club, but has taken to the defensive skills quickly since arriving from Aliso Viejo, Calif. Ross was named first team all-league as a senior with all-state honorable mention, helping her Aliso Niguel High School squad to a state title. Ross also has strong connections to UH athletics—her father, Jason, was a two-sport athlete who played both football and baseball for Hawai'i before leaving early after being selected in the MLB draft by the Atlanta Braves in 1996 and her aunt, Nohea Tanno, played three seasons at middle hitter/outside hitter from 2001-03.

"She's probably one of the best athletes on the team," Hall said. "She's just really good at everything she does. Because of camp and some of our ailments she's actually been playing at the net a little bit."

Ross may also see some time as a pin-hitter while the team heals from some fall camp injuries.

The Rainbow Wahine open their season with the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational (August 26-28) against No. 4 Wisconsin at the Stan Sheriff Center on Friday, Aug. 26 at 7:00 p.m.