Aloha, 2020-21 Hawaii women’s volleyball. We never got to know you.
The Rainbow Wahine learned Thursday they – along with UH women’s soccer and cross-country – can put away their equipment for this school year after the Big West Conference announced it won’t try hosting seasons for the traditional fall sports in the winter or spring.
“We are obviously disappointed there won’t be a season,” UH volleyball coach Robyn Ah Mow said in a school release. “Since we started practicing six weeks ago we’ve been very honest with the girls, that nothing is set in stone. We would have loved to bring back some excitement to the islands with Wahine volleyball but we all know that with this pandemic there is a lot of uncertainty.”
The seasons for Big West fall sports were initially postponed in the summer because of the coronavirus pandemic. The conference said its decision not to go ahead and play during the second semester was made with hopes of stemming the surge of COVID-19 cases – of 11 institutions, UH is the only member not from California – and preserving the significant resources that would be needed to carry out a safe season amid the pandemic.
“The decision of the (Board of Directors) to not conduct (these sports) came after extended consideration of the ongoing health and safety challenges affecting Big West campuses and communities, and the significant resources required to properly safeguard the health and well-being of all student-athletes,” the conference said in a statement.
The Hawaii men’s basketball team is set to open its season Friday against Hawaii Pacific, while the UH women play HPU on Sunday. The Big West board said it will continue to monitor and evaluate the current program of COVID-19 medical and safety protocols in basketball, using the sport to guide a decision regarding a safe return to competition for Big West spring sports. That decision is expected by late January.
Hawaii competes in the Big West in number of spring sports, including baseball, men’s volleyball, golf, softball and women’s track and field.
While Ah Mow tried to remain positive – “Looking forward to next season. Go ‘Bows,” she said in the statement – her predecessor expressed his doubts about the conference’s call.
Dave Shoji, A Volleyball Hall of Famer, tweeted, “I question the Big West decision to cancel all fall sports. I understand the whole COVID concern, but how is every other conference playing? Big West will suffer consequences.”
There is one Big Islander on the women’s soccer team, Konawaena alum Kyanah Blas, a true freshman.
“We are looking forward to that day in the fall of 2021 where we can play in front of our fans again,” soccer coach Michele Nagamine said.
