HILO, Hawai‘i – Game day has come quickly for the 2022 Hawai‘i Hilo women’s volleyball team as it’ll make the trip to O‘ahu this weekend for the two-day Hawai‘i-Alaska Challenge with matchups against Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Anchorage to open the new season.
The Vulcans opened camp just over a week ago with 10 returners welcoming seven newcomers after the departures of seven players from the 2021 squad that finished 17-7 overall and 14-6 in the Pacific West Conference for a fourth-place finish.
“We had a lot of seniors graduate so it’s definitely going to be a new group, but I think we’re meshing really well,” senior setter Kendall Kott said. “Feels like a good family so far and we’re excited to work together.”
2022 will be head coach Chris Leonard’s fourth year in charge of the program where he’s already compiled a 54-17 record at a .761 win-percentage mark. It’ll also be the quickest turnaround to the start of the seasonduring his tenure.
“It’s tough, and then adding seven new players at the same time trying to put all those pieces together with a really short turnaround and a really, really challenging non-conference schedule makes for some challenges,” Leonard said. “But I think it’s good for us. We’re excited to play some high-level competition early. It’s going to set the bar really high for us early and we’re going to see where we are.”
RETURNERS
| NAME |
POSITION |
CLASS |
2021 EXPERIENCE |
2021 STATS |
| Kendall Kott |
Setter |
Senior |
24 Matches, 90 Sets |
50 Kills, 954 Assists, 11 Aces, 260 Digs, 36 Blocks |
| Tani Hoke |
Libero |
Junior |
24 Matches, 90 Sets |
3 Kills, 77 Assists, 33 Aces, 437 Digs |
| Samara Cruz |
Outside Hitter |
Junior |
23 Matches, 78 Sets |
204 Kills, 5 Assists, 21 Aces, 217 Digs, 18 Blocks |
| Madelyn Blandford |
Defensive Specialist |
Sophomore |
18 Matches, 58 Sets |
3 Assists, 9 Aces, 148 Digs |
| Imeleta Ale |
Middle Blocker / Outside Hitter |
Junior |
11 Matches, 14 Sets |
2 Kills, 1 Assists, 1 Ace, 1 Dig, 5 Blocks |
| Cara Bolte |
Opposite |
Senior |
8 Matches, 8 Sets |
4 Kills, 1 Assist, 1 Block |
| Mia Takai |
Defensive Specialist |
Senior |
3 Matches, 3 Sets |
2 Digs |
| Chloe Culanding |
Opposite |
Junio |
3 Matches, 3 Sets |
1 Ace, 1 Dig |
| Nikki Logan |
Opposite |
Junior |
1 Match, 1 Set |
|
| Maile Goss |
Defensive Specialist |
Senior |
|
|
NEWCOMERS
| NAME |
POSITION |
CLASS |
PREVIOUS SCHOOL |
| Imani Lee |
Defensive Specialist / Outside Hitter |
Freshman |
Glen A. Wilson HS |
| Isabella Hadaller |
Outside Hitter |
Freshman |
Kelso HS |
| Emerson Reinke |
Setter |
Freshman |
Ralston Valley HS |
| Sophia Charpentier |
Middle Blocker / Opposite |
Freshman |
Rosemount HS |
| Taylor Tullo |
Outside Hitter |
Sophomore |
West Valley College |
| Kamryn Childs |
Outside Hitter / Middle Blocker |
Junior |
Utah State University Eastern |
| Mahina Kenoi |
Defensive Specialist / Outside Hitter |
Senior |
Orange Coast College |
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