1999 Game-by-Game Recap: UH vs. Tulsa
Shoji Takes Spotlight in Wahine Victory
It took just 65 minutes for the University of Hawai'i to celebrate Dave
Shoji's 701st career victory. The third-ranked Wahine swept past Tulsa,
15-3, 15-1, 15-2, Friday night at the Stan Sheriff Center, its most
lop-sided victory since giving up just five total points to Utah State on
Oct. 28, 1994.
The Wahine (20-1, 9-0) could hardly wait for Shoji's 700-win
celebration to begin. Since win No. 700 came on the road at Fresno State
last weekend, Hawai'i fans got to share in the moment with a post-match
ceremony. Shoji was presented with a plaque and game ball from UH
administrator Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano and Lieutenant Governor Mazie
Hirono, along with a golf club from by the Wahine Volleyball Booster Club.
Hawai'i exploited the Golden Hurricane's (8-14, 2-8 WAC) loss of
its top player (Kristien Van Lierop) by limiting them to just six total
points. Tulsa's leading hitter had just three kills and as a team, hit
negative .095.
In contrast, the Wahine was led by All-American Heather Bown's 16
kills. On the night she hit .889 with no errors in 18 attempts. Jessica
Sudduth and Lily Kahumoku added six kills as the team recorded a
season-high .478 hitting percentage. UH also served up seven aces and
out-blocked the Golden Hurricane 7-0.
But the night belonged to Shoji, who became just the seventh coach
to reach the 700-win milestone. A crowd of 7,401 gave him a standing
ovation when he was introduced after the match.
The Wahine hit the road next week with matches at TCU, SMU, and
UTEP beginning Nov. 12.