Volleyball: Strength In Team Unity
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usPearl City head girls volleyball coach Stephanie Shigemasa has coached long enough to know that there’s no substitute for team unity.
Indeed, as the Chargers prepare for Thursday’s game at home against Leilehua, the veteran coach would be the last to underestimate her team’s overall outlook.
“Their cohesiveness as a team is their strength,“said Shigemasa,a former University of Hawaii and Pearl City stand-out in her own playing days. “They’re very ‘team-oriented,’ and that makes it more enjoyable as a coach because of their attitude.
“We always try to get them to be mentally tough - that’s always our goal,” she continued. “You have to be hungry to win. If we can do that, then we should be OK in the West.”
In the past, the Chargers have consistently battled Aiea for the Oahu Interscholastic Association’s Western Division crown. Pearl City, which last won the West in 2004, finished 6-4 in the league last season and made it to the second round of the OIA playoffs, where they were defeated by East power Kalani.
Should Pearl City find itself in the hunt in the West again, it will have to bring along a handful of first-year starters,according to Shigemasa.The Chargers’ roster is comprised of six seniors and four sophomores. For the first time in her memory, Shigemasa has no juniors in the fold.
“We lost three starters, so we have some young players who lack experience in game situations,“said Shigemasa, who is in her 12th season as the Chargers’head coach.“We have to help the young girls to feel competent that they can play (at the varsity level).”
Four key senior returnees - outside-hitter/middle blocker Jazmin Pahukoa-Malia, outside hitter Deena Tupinio, setter Katherine Markle, and libero Tiani Alatini - will provide the early leadership.
“Jazmin is a very versatile player and our team leader,” said Shigemasa, who is assisted by Baron Nakano.“We can put her in any position, and she’ll do the job. Deena is one of our strongest outside hitters. She’s also a setter, but we’ve moved her. Tiani is always smiling. She pumps up our team at practice and at games, and her passing is great. Katherine is coming off a knee injury, so she’s really excited about this season. She worked really hard to strengthen her knee and come back, and she’s back to normal now.”
In the coach’s view, defense could be the Chargers’forte this fall.
“That (defense) and our passing will have to carry us through our season because we’ve lost some big hitters (to graduation). We’ll have to rely on our defense - it’s an area of emphasis for us.”
The Chargers had one of the tougher regular-season openers last week when they began West Conference play against Mililani and are expecting an equally competitive game with Leilehua on Thursday. The varsity game begins at 6 p.m.
Every year (Leilehua head coach) Kory (Toyozaki) does a really good job with them,” Shigemasa said. “They’re real athletic, and they always play consistent. They’re a good team every year. We’ll have to play steady against them.”
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