Match Notes
HONOLULU – The No. 11 University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine volleyball team kicks off the 2013 campaign this week, opening against preseason No. 1 and defending national champion Texas at the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational. UH will play Texas on Friday, Aug. 30 (7:30 p.m.), Texas-El Paso on Saturday, Aug. 31 (8:30 p.m.), and San Diego on Sunday, Sept. 1 (5:00 p.m.).
The Rainbow Wahine enter the season with a veteran squad which includes two-time AVCA All-American and reigning Big West Conference Player of the Year Emily Hartong along with all-region and honorable mention All-America setter Mita Uiato. Also returning are first-team all-Big West middle blocker Jade Vorster and veteran libero Ali Longo.
Head coach Dave Shoji returns for his 39th season at the helm of the 'Bows, and is just four wins shy of becoming the all-time winningest coach in NCAA Division I women's volleyball history. Last season, Shoji was voted Big West Co-Coach of the Year and, for the 10th time, was named AVCA West Region Coach of the Year.
Hartong was magnificent in her first season as an outside hitter. She was named the Most Outstanding Player in two of UH's three preseason tournaments, was a four-time Big West Player of the Week selection, and last October was selected as the AVCA National Player of the Week after stellar performances at Long Beach State and UC Irvine. Hartong is also a nominee for the Senior CLASS Award presented to the most outstanding student-athlete in women's volleyball.
Matches 1-3
Who: No.11 Hawai'i, No. 1 Texas, Texas El-Paso, San Diego
What: Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational
When: Friday, Aug. 30, Saturday, Aug. 31, Sunday, Sept. 1.
Where: Honolulu, O'ahu (Stan Sheriff Center)
Television: OCSports – Channels 16 (SD) and 1016 (HD) will be broadcasting all UH matches with Jim Leahey calling the play-by-play and Chris McLachlin doing color commentary.
Streaming Video: Available at www.secure.oceanic.com/Streaming.
Radio: ESPN Radio (1420 AM) will broadcast all UH matches live with Scott Robbs handling the play-by-play.
Audio Webcast: http://espn1420am.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats are available at HawaiiAthletics.com
Ticket Information: Tickets can be purchased online, at Stan Sheriff Center Box Office, or by phone at (808) 944-2697.
Tournament Sponsor: Chevron
Promotions: Tournament sponsor Chevron will distribute a total of 10,000 Yowies, the new multifunctional rally gear, over the weekend. The giveaways will begin one hour prior to each UH match. Also, Chevron will award hundreds of dollars in Chevron gift cards.
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