HONOLULU – The last glimpse fans saw of the 2022 Chaminade University women's volleyball team, they had gone further than any athletic program in the history of the school's NCAA Division II existence.
After two scintillating and emotional victories over the No. 1 seed University of Alaska Anchorage followed by Cal Poly Pomona as an eighth seed, the Silverswords found themselves with the school's first-ever appearance in a regional final. Such feat would make any program proud and reap all the accolades that come with it.
However, underneath the adulation and adoration from family, fans and the community, deep within there was extremely bitter disappointment in falling short of being one of the final eight at the Division II national championships. And it burns hotter still as the 'Swords begin their regular season this weekend at the Hawai'i-Alaska Challenge in Fairbanks, Alaska.
The Silverswords, the two-time defending Pacific West Conference champions who are making their first trip to The Last Frontier since 2006, begin against host University of Alaska on Thursday. It will be followed by the highly anticipated rematch against Alaska Anchorage on Friday. Chaminade concludes the Challenge with a second match each against the Nanooks and Seawolves.
"The loss in last year's regional final was very bitter pill to swallow for everyone but it's been a huge motivator the entire off season," said head coach
Kahala Kabalis Hoke who is entering her 12th season. "Our players have dedicated themselves to getting stronger, physically and mentally, to maintain our reputation as one of the top teams in the West.
While Cal State San Bernardino and Western Washington have jostled for western power having represented the region in five of the last seven national quarterfinals, Chaminade is trying to crash their party and become the region's next elite team.
To help them reach – and maintain – that level, the Silverswords embarked on a week-long tour of Osaka, Japan, for not only cultural importance, but to also play several Japanese universities where defense and long rallies have long epitomized the country's volleyball style. The tour also gave them 10 additional practice days leading up to the August venture.
"We're very fortunate for the additional practices and competition our early August trip to Japan afforded us and, compared to this time last year, we're feeling more prepared heading into our first match of the season."
Indeed, in 2022, the 'Swords stumbled out of the gates, opening the season with a mere 3-6 record, half of those defeats coming in five sets against high-level foes like the aforementioned CSU San Bernardino and Central Washington. Although Chaminade tore through the rest of its opponents by winning 22 of its last 23 matches including a 19-1 mark in the PacWest, their start was a primary contributor to their earning the lowest seed in the West Regional.
While there are heavy losses with the departures of last year's PacWest Player of the Year and two-time Setter of the Year
Alexia Byrnes, Newcomer of the Year
Sasha Colombo, middle blocker Lataisia Sauala, the winningest single player in program history with 102, and 2021 conference player of the Year
Brooklen Pe'a, the 'Swords aren't rebuilding – they have reloaded.
Outside hitter
Greta Corti, middle blocker
Sophie Schilling and right-side hitter
Ajack Malual return were all named to the All-PacWest Teams last season as does libero
Nanna Inoue.
Also back are key contributors in
Allexis Iramina,
Kanoelehua Misipeka and
Kendall Rios.
Mahala Ka'apuni, who sat out last season after transferring from Alaska Anchorage where she was among their top hitters in 2021, will put on a 'Swords' uniform for the first time this season.
As has been their trend, the team welcomes several transfers to help fill the vacancies. Middle blockers
Lizanyela Lopez, a junior college All-American from Trinity Valley,
Brooklyn Poling from Western Carolina, outside hitter
Heavenly Campbell from the College of Southern Idaho, libero
Hula Crisostomo from Texas-El Paso and setter
Grace Talpash from Oklahoma provides collegiate experience. In the case of Lopez and Crisostomo, they enrolled at Chaminade in January and participated in spring practices.
The freshmen include
Tabby Allen,
Leilani Ama,
Mykelle Brainard,
Reina Krueger,
Tanea Loa,
Kyra Pagud and
Tiana Simmons.
Following the Alaska trip, the 'Swords will have their lone home tournament in the Hawai'i Challenge at McCabe Gymnasium from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2. The Challenge is just that – loaded with teams that excelled last season including Cal Poly Pomona. Chaminade will see two other postseason squads in the tournament, Sonoma State and American International.
After participating in a joint Pomona-Azusa Pacific tournament from Sept. 8-9, the Silverswords open conference action on Sept. 14 at long-time rival Hawai'i Pacific University. Their first home PacWest match will be against Point Loma, which handed them their only conference defeat in 2022.
"We're excited about the new additions to our team who we hope will help elevate our play," Kabalis Hoke said. "Our hearts are set on surpassing our sweet 16 finish last year and competing for a national championship."
