Hawaii Tribune-Herald: Cardinal trio make it official with Fairfield

Monday, Apr 19, 2004

Cardinal trio make it official with Fairfield

Fairfield University has announced the signing of St. Joseph High School volleyball standouts Ashley Hanohano, Lindsey Lee and Jazmin Pa'akaula.
The Big Island Interscholastic Federation stars had committed verbally to the school earlier and made it official last Thursday by signing national letters of intent with the NCAA Division I school in Fairfield, Conn.

"These three players will have an immediate impact on our program," said Stags head volleyball coach Jeff Werneke. "Our team's overall level of volleyball expertise has been greatly enhanced with the addition of this recruiting class."

All signing with the Stags were Lauren Campbell and Kelly Oliver from San Diego, Calif. An additional recruit, Katelyn Stevens from Woodbridge, Conn., intends to enroll at the school and play next season.

Werneke was thrilled by the signing of Hanohano, Lee and Pa'akaula, who led the Cardinals to back-to-back BIIF titles and state tournament berths. As juniors, the talented trio led St. Joseph to a runner-up finish in the state.

Werneke said all three girls drew interest from several schools in the Big 12, SEC. Mountain West as well as some other top volleyball programs in the nation.

Hanohano is a 5-foot-7 setter and four-time All-BIIF first-team selection. She earned All-State honors.

Lee is a 5-5 middle hitter and outside hitter. She earned All-BIIF first team and All-State honors. This past season, she was the BIIF Player of the Year.

Pa'akaula, a 5-10 outside hitter, earned All-BIIF and All-State honors in her outstanding career at St. Joseph.

The trio also played club volleyball for the YMCA Na' Opio Juniors, while being part of teams that have finished 10th or better at the National Volleyball Festival in Sacramento, Calif. the past four years.

Fairfield University has been to the NCAA Tournament in five of the last seven seasons, and will look to earn another trip to the "Big Dance" this season, after falling to Manhattan College in last year's Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Volleyball Championships.

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