And then there were six.
And then there were six.
UH-Hilo volleyball coach Gene Krieger recently signed two more players to his first recruiting class, adding an outside hitter with Pacific West Conference experience under her belt and a middle blocker with a winning pedigree.
Lucee Fitzgerald, a 5-foot-11 hitter, is transferring from Irvine Valley College by way of Holy Names, where she led the Hawks in digs as a freshman in 2015. She led also Irvine College in digs last season and compiled 175 kills in earning second-team all-league honors under former Hawaii men’s volleyball standout Tom Pestolesi.
“Her ball-control skills will be a key asset for us,” Krieger said in a release. “She will be part of our leadership backbone this season, joining our returnees and junior college transfers to help us improve in a hurry.”
Kylie Davis moves up to the Division II level after one season at NAIA Benedictine University (Ariz.) and another at Scottsdale Community College. Davis, a 5-11 blocker, helped the fighting Artichokes finish fifth at the national junior college championships last season, posting a .328 hitting percentage with 198 kills and 92 blocks.
“Having Kiley come in with her national tournament experience will be helpful in the tough competition in the Pacific West Conference,” Krieger said. “She works extremely well with (Sauni) Basia, and I think that their connection will help us get off to a fast start on offense.”
Sauni, a Kahuku (Oahu) graduate who was a second-team All-American setter at Scottsdale in 2016, signed with UH-Hilo earlier in the recruiting cycle along with Alison Fuata (Waiakea/Odessa College), ShaRaue Niu (Kahuku) and Amber Tai (Kailua High, Oahu).
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in Hawaii,” Davis said. “An extra bonus for me is to be able to play with my setter from last season. I get a great vibe from Coach Krieger.”
The veteran coach inherits a team that went 10-15 last season under Tino Reyes, who was let go after a fifth consecutive losing season.
Hall of Fame: The Hilo Vulcan Athletic Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for its 20th class, which is scheduled to be inducted Oct. 21.
Categories for prospective honorees are athlete, coach, administrator and community member (volunteer), and nominees must have completed their eligibility at UH-Hilo by the spring of 2012.
According to a release, coach, administrator and community nominees must have made significant contributions that enhanced the image of Vulcan athletics.
The nomination deadline is June 16.