The First Hawaiian Bank Volleyball Challenge hadn’t evened started yet, and organizers and participating teams already had scored major points for resiliency.
UH-Hilo announced a revamped tournament schedule, and it included two teams, Simon Fraser and Chaminade, who were willing to brave Hurricane Lane and play 7:30 p.m. Thursday night at the Vulcans’ gym.
There are six matches on tap Friday, and UH-Hilo opens the season at 10 a.m. against Saint Martin’s, with a nightcap slated for 7:30 p.m. against UC San Diego.
Despite having two games wiped out Thursday, the Vuls still play four games as planned, thanks to an added Sunday matinée against Simon Fraser.
That gives coach Gene Krieger an ample opportunity to mix and match allof his new faces into the lineup, including sophomore outside hitter Bria Beale, a transfer from Division I UC Irvine.
“She’ll get a bunch of swings,” Krieger said, “just because she has a bunch of experience. By her own estimation, she’s still not even three-quarters back to playing shape since she didn’t get to play spring season with UC Irvine.”
The Vulcans, 9-18 in Krieger’s debut campaign, need to replace their top three hitters, with senior Evelin Solyomvari leading the returnees at 1.69 per kills per set.
“I think (Bria) will get to another tier; we’re starting to see glimpses of it,” Krieger said.
Last season, UH-Hilo was hit hard by the injury bug, and Krieger said this season it’s the “injury bug.”
“We’ll have the all-redshirt team,” he joked.
A pair of his top recruits failed to make the grade and that will force three freshman into the rotation ahead of schedule.
Outside hitter Teisa Tuioti, rightside Alexandria Parisian and setter Maile Powell proved themselves capable in the Vulcans win Tuesday in a scrimmage against Grand Rapids Community College.
“They are good, which is what we thought they would be,” Krieger said.
One caveat.
“One assistant coach was s happy, and I said, “Don’t get too happy, because I said with for every good game, the freshmen will turn around and have a bad one next,” Krieger said.
“The freshmen showed some moxie, I just didn’t expect them to all be playing so soon.”
The Vuls will again go with a two-setter system that includes returning senior Basia Sauni, who compiled 5.71 assists per set last season.
Another freshman is middle blocker Kamillia Marinas, from Waianae, Oahu, who was recently added to the roster.
Tuioti went to high school in California but is originally from Oahu.
“I think the freshman are all going to improve at the same rate alng with (Bria),” Krieger said. “Bria has a higher upside, so she’ll just keep going.”
Libero is covered thanks to senior Mina Grant, an all-PacWest preseason correction, and she’s backe up by junior Kaila Lizama of Kauai.
The situation at middle blocker is more unsettled, Krieger said, though steady senior Kiley Davis returns and provided 1.51 kills per set in 2017. Freshman Melina Devela will try to work her way into the rotation after moving across the street from Waiakea High.
Sophomore outside hitters Amber Tai is recovering from an injury but is slated for playing time.
Krieger agreed with the assessment of the PacWest coaches, who pegged the Vuls for sixth in the conference.
“I am pleased where we are after two weeks of practice,” Krieger said in a release. “I am thankful it is a year we can have a few extra early practices with all the new people we have. The chemistry has been outstanding. It’s been an excellent quick mesh of 16 people.”
First Hawaiian Bank Volleyball Challenge
At UH-Hilo gym
Friday
8 a.m., Hawaii Pacific vs. UC San Diego
10 a.m., UH-Hilo vs. Saint Martin’s
12:30 pm., Simon Fraser vs. St. Cloud State
2:30 p.m., Chaminade vs. St. Martin’s
5 p.m., Hawaii Pacific vs. St. Martin’s
7:30 p.m., UH-Hilo vs. UC San Diego
Saturday
8 a.m., Chaminade vs. St. Cloud State
10 a.m., UH Hilo vs. St. Cloud State
Noon, Hawaii Pacific vs. St. Martin’s
2:30 p.m., Chaminade vs. UC San Diego
4:30 p.m., Hawaii Pacific vs. Simon Fraser
7:30 p.m., St. Martin’s vs. UC San Diego
Sunday
2 p.m., UH-Hilo vs. Simon Fraser