The coaches of the four local Division II women's volleyball programs can be divided into the new guard and the old guard.

Hawai'i Pacific's Daryl Kapis and Hawai'i-Hilo's Carla Carpenter-Kabalis are in their first year.

While Brigham Young-Hawai'i's Wilfred Navalta is in his 21st season and Chaminade's Glennie Adams is starting her 13th.

"I need to put food on my table and pay my bills," Navalta said.

All four teams started practice Aug. 7, and will open their seasons tomorrow in the Hawaiian Style Classic at Hilo civic. The eight-team, 16-match tournament will run through Saturday.

HPU was No. 13 in the CSTV/AVCA Division II Coaches Preseason Poll released Monday, and BYU-Hawai'i was No. 21.

HPU'S MARTIN A MENACE

Kapis inherits one of the nation's top players in All-America middle blocker Barbara Martin.

Martin, who is 6 feet 3, and 5-4 defensive specialist Melissa Sekigawa are the only seniors.

"Young, that would be the first word I would have to say," said Kapis, who replaced the highly successful Tita Ahuna in early July. "Young, but enthusiastic."

Kapis said his offense is patterned after the men's game with "high balls around everywhere," and his back row defenders will try to mimic players from Asia.

Kapis said his style of play is influenced by former U.S. women's national team coach Toshi Yoshida. Kapis worked under Yoshida for four years at the U.S. High Performance Camp in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Martin, of Curitiba, Brazil, averaged 4.69 kills and 1.11 blocks last season.

"Because Barbara is multi-versatile she will be moving all around, doing a little bit of everything this year," Kapis said.

BIG ISLAND GROWN

Hilo's Carla Carpenter-Kabalis also inherits a young squad.

"We have a very young team so it's a rebuilding year. We have two seniors," she said.

"We do have a starting crop from last year, but we lost our setter and don't have depth in middle."

Carpenter-Kabalis said her key players are the seniors — 5-3 setter Kahealani Silva and 5-9 outside hitter Taina Savage.

Seven of the 13 players listed on the Vulcans' roster are from the Big Island.

"I'm very happy the kids here on the Big Island came out," said Carpenter-Kabalis, who replaced Julie Morgan late last month. "They have to understand they have to give it a try."

BYUH HOPES TO PLAY BIG

BYU-Hawai'i's Navalta said his team will be one of the shortest during his tenure, but "we'll be a good ball-handling team. We have a majority of local girls so we'll be good in passing, serving, defense and setting.

"We need blocking and hitting."

Only one projected starter is taller than 5-9, and Navalta said 5-6 Roseanne Vea will open at middle blocker.

His key players will be junior left-side hitters Tuli Peters (5-9) and Noelle Filimoeatu (5-8).

Peters, a Kahuku High alum, played two years at Fresno State and redshirted at BYU-Hawai'i last season.

"Right now she is an excellent all-around player, she can hit, block, set and serve," Navalta said of Peters. "She has to steady our team. She has the most experience — two years at Fresno State."

The Seasiders have only two seniors on their roster.

CHAMINADE'S SISTER ACT

Chaminade's Adams said she'll rely on the Kauliakamoa sisters.

Tamara is a 5-8 senior setter and Trina is a 5-10 sophomore outside hitter.

Adams said she'll likely start four other players at least 6-feet tall.

"We have more height than in year's past," she said. "We have some very athletic kids. I think we're lacking in chemistry and need to get repetitions with each other."

The Silverswords, who have five seniors, had only one player complete her eligibility at the end of last season.

Adams is hoping her team can get off to a good start.

"These preseason tournaments have great impact on position opportunities (for the postseason)," she said. "It's like in the preseason you have to be in postseason form."

Last season, Hawai'i Pacific and BYU-Hawai'i advanced to postseason play. All four local teams are members of the Pacific West Conference.

The other teams in the Hawaiian Style Classic are No. 18 Seattle Pacific, Wheeling Jesuit (W. Va.), Western New Mexico and Findlay (Ohio).

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.