If you missed the news of UH-Hilo unveiling its men’s basketball schedule last week, here’s the highlight: fans will have more chances than usual to catch the Vulcans in person.
Coach GE Coleman announced a 27-game schedule, including 15 home contests, the program’s highest amount since 2012.
Another rarity is the Vuls open the season at home, with games Nov. 12 against Alaska and Nov. 15 and 17 vs. Simpson College at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
“It’s nice to be able to open the year at home,” Coleman said in a release. “As it turns out, we will play six of our first eight counting games at home, allowing us to focus on basketball without the challenges of travel mixed in.”
UHH began the past four seasons on the road in the Pacific Northwest, but the only two road contests during the opening stretch this upcoming season are Pacific West Conference openers in Honolulu against Hawaii Pacific (Nov. 29) and Chaminade (Dec. 1).
Of the four nonconference games at Hilo Civic, the biggest test comes Dec. 14 against Western Oregon, an NCAA Division II West Region finalist last season and a recent Final Four team
The Vuls make their annual trip to play UH-Manoa for an exhibition Dec. 8.
UHH could use the home edge. The Vuls went 6-3 at home last season but finished 7-20 in Coleman’s fifth season at the helm.
The Vulcans’ biggest homestand is a four-gamer early February against Azusa Pacific (Feb. 1), Biola (Feb. 4), Academy of Art (Feb. 8) and Dominican (Feb. 10).
Softball team adds 10
Coach Callen Perreira announced the addition of 10 players for the 2019 season, including recent Waiakea grad Brandee Chinen.
“This class is talented and meets our needs to replenish and enhance our pitching, power, speed and defense,” Perreira said.
The five transfers continuing their college careers at UH-Hilo are Valerie Alvarado (Indian River State College), Vevesi Liilii (Eastern Arizona), Rayla Jacobs-Kea (Midland College), Shiori Ubukata (Genesee College) and Danielle Caoili (Hartnell College). In addition to Chinen, the incoming freshmen are Chloe Domingo (Ewa Beach/Campbell HS), Eli Suh (La Mirada, Calif./Whittier Christian), Alana Alvarez (Corona, Calif./Santiago HS) and Madison Suko (San Ramon, Calif./Dougherty Valley HS.
Vuls volleyball camps
Registration is open for two volleyball camps this summer, one at UHH and one in Waimea.
Vul coach Gene Krieger will host a camp in Waimea, July 23-25 at the Waimea District Park Gymnasium. The sessions are open to players ages 7-17 for a total cost of $75. The teaching will run from 9 a.m. to noon each day with a break for lunch (bring your own), followed by afternoon play from 1-4 p.m.
The camps on campus will run in two different segments. The first, July 29-31, will be for high school players. Another three-day camp will run Aug. 1-3 for elementary and junior high school keiki. Both camps will run with the same 9 a.m. to noon, 1-4 p.m. schedule. The cost is $75.
Teaching includes 18 hours of instruction and play and a camp t-shirt. An additional option for overnight stay is available as well. For a total cost of $175, campers can stay two nights in the UHH dorms (shared room), which includes three lunches and two dinners.
For more info, call 932-7177.
