Posted on: Wednesday, October 10, 2007
HOMEGROWN REPORT
Miyashiro helps Huskies volleyball to 16-0 start
By Kalani Takase
Advertiser Staff Writer
The heat is on in Seattle.
The Washington women's volleyball team is on a roll at 16-0 and ranked eighth in this week's CSTV/AVCA Top 25 poll, but the real tests will be coming soon.
The rigorous schedule starts with a visit to No. 10 California (12-4) tomorrow and No. 2 Stanford (16-0) Friday. Washington hosts fourth-ranked UCLA (14-2) a week from tomorrow and No. 6 USC (14-2) the day after.
Washington head coach Jim McLaughlin says if the Huskies are to come out unscathed, they will have to rely heavily on sophomore libero Tamari Miyashiro (Kalani '05 of Kane'ohe) during the stretch.
"She can do everything," said McLaughlin, in his seventh season at Washington. "Her skill level is very complete, maybe the best skill level of any kid I've ever coached."
Miyashiro is just one of two players who have played in all 51 games this season, amassing 272 digs for a 5.33 digs per game average. She leads the team in aces with 21.
"She's able to help her team in so many ways. When (All-American) Candace (Lee) left, we had to get Tamari on the floor," said McLaughlin. "We tried her at libero and she just upgraded our team. It just worked and she's gotten so good at it."
McLaughlin believes Miyashiro is capable of becoming a national team member later in her career.
"She's got all the ability, but more importantly she's got a very good mind."
Senior defensive specialist Ashley Aratani ('Iolani '04 of Honolulu) remains a vital part of the team although her role has somewhat diminished, McLaughlin says.
"She's just a fearless defender. She digs and covers and serves, she does everything," he said. "When we need to score a point, she's out there. She tends to be in the right place at the right time."
Aratani has appeared in 43 games with 28 digs and seven aces.
Washington is coming off a final four appearance, in which it lost to Stanford in the national semifinals.
MORE WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Cal State Fullerton sophomore outside hitter Deven Bukoski (Kamehameha '06 of Kula) had seven kills in 19 attempts in a three-game loss to Cal Poly Friday night.
Also on the Titans' roster is senior outside hitter Mounia Nihipali (Kamehameha '04 of Honolulu).
St. Mary's (Calif.) sophomore middle blocker Megan Burton ('Iolani '06 of Kapolei) had 11 kills in a three-game loss to San Francisco Thursday. Freshman setter Kapua Kamana'o ('Iolani '07 of Honolulu) had 40 assists in the match and added 27 in a five-game loss to San Diego Saturday.
Redlands (Calif.) junior libero Dory Baga (University High '05 of 'Aiea) had 17 digs in a four-game loss to Pomona-Pitzer. Sophomore setter Kelina Smith (Waiakea '06 of Kurtistown) had 13 assists coming off the bench. Also on the Bulldogs' roster is senior outside hitter Lori Nakamura (Kamehameha '04 of Honolulu).
FOOTBALL
Colorado senior linebacker Jordon Dizon (Waimea '04) got his first career interception in the first quarter a 43-23 win over Baylor Saturday. Dizon finished with 14 tackles, including two for losses.
Tennessee senior J.T. Mapu (Kahuku '02 of Kahuku) started at defensive tackle and had three tackles and a sack in a 35-14 upset of Georgia Saturday.
Southern California junior linebacker Kaluka Maiava (Baldwin '04 of Wailuku) had five tackles in a 24-23 loss to Stanford.
Oregon State junior safety Al Afalava (Kahuku '05 of La'ie) had three tackles in a 31-16 win over Arizona.
Montana-Western senior quarterback Keali'i Perbera (Saint Louis '04 of Mililani) was 14 of 25 for 232 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in a 45-30 win over Rocky Mountain College. Perbera also rushed for a touchdown.
Freshman wide receiver Pono Matthews (Kaua'i '07 of Lihu'e) caught one pass for 12 yards and senior receiver Keahua Bowman (Saint Louis '02 of Waimanalo) carried twice for 28 yards.
Senior defensive back Albert Distajo (Nanakuli '04 of Nanakuli) had 10 tackles and two interceptions.
Idaho freshman defensive back Jojo Dickson (Baldwin '07 of Wailuku) had 11 tackles and a blocked punt in a loss to San Jose State. It was his first collegiate start.
Western Oregon senior receiver Brad Ching (Kailua '03 of Kailua) caught a 63-yard touchdown pass in a 27-3 win over Humboldt State. Sophomore receiver Shaun Kauleinamoku (Saint Louis '05 of 'Ewa Beach) returned a punt 59 yards for a touchdown in a 22-14 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville on Sept. 15.
Whitworth senior running back Chris Ahsing (Campbell '03 of 'Ewa Beach) rushed for 59 yards on 18 carries in a 28-21 win over Pacific Lutheran. Whitworth is 4-1 overall, 2-0 in the Northwest Conference.
Southern Oregon freshman linebacker Parker Paredes (Kamehameha '06 of Kahalu'u) had six tackles in a 14-13 win over Azusa Pacific. Freshman Danson Cappo (Kamehameha '06 of Kunia) started at cornerback and made four tackles. Senior offensive lineman Adam Akau (King Kekaulike '04 of Makawao) also started.
Whittier freshman defensive back Dane Costa (Punahou '07 of Kailua) had one tackle for a 3-yard loss in a 44-7 loss to Cal Lutheran.
CROSS COUNTRY
Creighton senior Kari Tanimoto (Pearl City '04 of Waipahu) finished 49th at the Walt Disney World Cross Country Classic Saturday in Orlando, Fla. Tanimoto's time of 19:30 helped the Bluejays place eighth out of 44 teams.
MEN'S SOCCER
Gonzaga senior Vito Higgins (Pac-Five/Academy of the Pacific '03 of Kailua) earned his third shutout of the season and the 11th of his career in a 1-0 win over St. Mary's (Calif.) Friday. Higgins made five saves to bring his school-record total to 254. He is third in career shutouts and needs eight more to surpass current Hawai'i assistant coach Josh Fouts.
Sophomore midfielder Tye Perdido (Seabury Hall '06 of Kula) got off two shots and senior defender Daniel Scott (King Kekaulike '03 of Kula) had another. Both started for the Bulldogs (6-2-1, 1-0-1 West Coast Conference). Scott was named WCC co-Player of the Month for September.
St. Mary's junior midfielder Justin Kim (Mililani '04 of Mililani) started for the Gaels (4-3-0, 0-1 WCC) and had two shots.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Pepperdine junior defender Kelsey Baker (Punahou '05 of Honolulu) assisted on the Waves' only goal of a 1-1 tie against Hawai'i Sunday.
Air Force sophomore Ashley Collins (Punahou '05 of Mililani) had four shots in a 3-1 loss at Texas Christian Saturday. Collins, who has started all 11 games, has one goal and one assist.
Harvard junior Rachael Lau (Punahou '05 of Honolulu) has started in 10 of 11 games. She was named to the Adidas/Hartford Fall Classic All-Tournament Team earlier this season, and was also recognized to the Ivy League honor roll on Oct. 1.
Wisconsin-Parkside freshman midfielder/forward Kahili Cheng (Kalaheo '07 of Kailua) has started in all 13 games with five assists.
MEN'S GOLF
Oregon freshman Sean Maekawa (Honoka'a '07 of Pa'auilo) finished tied for 31st at the Husky Invitational in Bremerton, Wash. Maekawa opened with an 8-over 80, but regrouped with a 72 on the second day. The Ducks finished fourth.
WOMEN'S GOLF
Portland State junior Kayla Morinaga (Sacred Hearts '05 of Waipahu) was named Big Sky Conference Golfer of the Week after winning the Heather Farr Memorial Invitational last week in Broomfield, Colo. Morinaga shot a 2-under 214 (74-69-71) to win by two strokes. She earned second-team, All-Big Sky honors last year and is averaging a school-record pace 73.8 this season.
Yale senior Lindsay Hong (Punahou '04 of Honolulu) won the Yale Fall Intercollegiate last week in New Haven, Conn. Hong and St. John's Brittany Lamberston shared first place at 152 and there was no playoff. The Bulldogs won the tournament.
Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.
