HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i Associate Coach Kari Ambrozich, a 14-year veteran on the Rainbow Wahine volleyball coaching staff, announced her resignation effective July 31, 2011. She will remain with UH athletics in a new position as an academic advisor and serve a role in academic advising. Ambrozich is the longest tenured assistant coach in program history, helping Dave Shoji push the program through a myriad of success during her years on staff. 

“Kari has been an integral part of our program's success,” praised Shoji. “She is a great person and an outstanding coach, and we thank her for her contributions to Rainbow Wahine volleyball and the University of Hawai'i. She will be missed.” 

During Ambrozich's time on staff, the program went to four national semifinal matches and nine NCAA regional finals, while also consistently ranking as one of the best teams, academically, on campus. UH also went to the NCAA tournament every year of her coaching tenure. Ambrozich coached seven all-conference setters during her time, continuing the rich history of setting excellence at UH. 

“It has been an honor to coach alongside Dave Shoji, one of the greatest coaches in collegiate women's volleyball history, and to have helped develop some of the finest players in the nation,” said Ambrozich. “I have many fond memories over the years and I will miss my time with the program. I wish the team much success this season and the years to come.”

In her first two seasons, she coached Nikki Hubbert, who broke the school's single-season record for assists (1,782) and assists-per-game average (14.61).

Jennifer Carey was Ambrozich's second setter to train. Carey played from 1999-2002, earning the starting setter job during her freshman and sophomore seasons. Carey and Margaret Vakasausau would share the setting duties in 2001 and '02, where the duo helped the Rainbow Wahine lead the country in assists per game both years.

In 2003, Ambrozich coached her second true freshman starting setter, Kanoe Kamana'o. Kamana'o was named the AVCA National Freshman of the Year in 2003 and went on to become just the second four-time all-American in school history.

As a four-year letterwinner for the Rainbow Wahine when she was Kari Anderson, she still ranks in the Top 10 all-time on the UH career list with 2,385 assists and a 10.51-assist average. During her junior and senior seasons, she captained the squad and was also named second team all-Big West in 1992. 





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