Relying on a freshman setter was never going to be perfect, but Kendall Kott was bound to be the one.
Perfection went out the window even before UH-Hilo’s volleyball team’s first match against Western Washington, a five-set loss.
But here the Vulcans are, back at the NCAA Division II tournament for the first time since 2011, and ready to stare down the second-seeded Vikings again. They got here with Kott pulling her weight – and then some.
“Until you get into the gym, you don’t know what to expect,” interim coach Chris Leonard said of Kott, a second-team all-Pacific West Conference selection. “I did have the fortune of seeing her playing in Las Vegas (before the season). I knew more than sometimes you would know for a player coming in. She’s had a nice year for us.”
In a sense, the 6-footer from Shingle Spring, Calif., always was destined to be stat stuffer due to Leonard’s one-setter system.
She didn’t disappoint, playing every minute of every match this year for the Vulcans (23-7), leading the Pacific West Conference in assists at 1,241, which is a total that’s 26th in the nation.
Kott also compiled 21 aces, 269 digs and 60 blocks.
“Being 6-foot, she brings a lot to the table,” Leonard said. “She’s a nice blocker for us on the right side.”
UHH’s first-round match is Thursday in San Bernardino, Calif.
Kott had previously played club ball with UHH freshman middle blocker Emily Wade, which was a huge help to their chemistry. Wade and outside hitter Bria Beale – the two biggest hitters that Kott sets for – gave the Vulcans two first-team All-PacWest selections for the first time since 2009.
“Chemistry definitely takes times to develop, but I think Kendall has been pretty consistent over the course of the year,” Leonard said. “We put a lot of weight on her shoulders, and she’s responded pretty well. “
“As team we have struggled at times with consistency, but when we’re on and everybody is clicking, (Kendall) is connecting well with the hitters and we find great success. When we’ve had moments of inconsistency, that’s impacted everybody, not just one position.”
UHH took a red-eye flight to Southern California that arrived early Tuesday, then they used to the day to acclimate.
“We got ourselves on schedule, get a little rest and get a practice in Wednesday,” Leonard said. “We’re definitely looking forward to the opportunity Thursday.”