HONOLULU – With the completion of the renovation project of Gym I, the University of Hawai'i men's and women's volleyball teams now have a first-class practice facility to call their home.
 
The UH Athletics Department held a blessing ceremony last week for the nearly 40-year old gymnasium, which completes the project that began with the renovation of Gym II for the men's and women's basketball teams in January.
 
"You see the before and after pictures, its difference-making for our student-athletes, for our whole department, and really for the whole state," Athletics Director David Matlin said. "The word that strikes me is gratitude. So many people went in to make this happen from the legislature to the administration here. To get this done, on-time, in-budget, things are getting better here. I'm just proud of everyone's efforts for that and really thankful for the impact this will have on the student-athletes today and in the future."
 
Gym I is fully equipped with new flooring for three practice courts, lights, scoreboards, sound system, and air conditioning. The facility was completed in time for the start of fall training camp for the women's volleyball team.
 
"When I was a player here, obviously it was way different, it was hot, muggy, but to walk in here during our summer camps, it was amazing, I got chicken skin," said Rainbow Wahine head coach Robyn Ah Mow. 
 
Men's volleyball head coach Charlie Wade added, "This clearly is a great facility for our students to learn and to come and give their best effort every day. It's a big upgrade in both performance and safety for us because the other one was slippery and hot so this is just great in so many levels. 
 
"It's incredible to see what's going on all over campus, specifically here on the Lower Campus, there's so many improvements. It's just a better learning environment for all students and its not just the athletes that get to take advantage of these facilities, students from all over the university come down here. It's exciting times to be down here on Lower Campus."