Around The Islands
Feature Profile
Kanoe Kamana‘o: The Perfect Setup
by Mike Yoshiura
Kanoe Kamana‘o was in the first grade when her dad set her…
…Up with a volleyball. At 6-years-old, for the very first time, she picked up the leather sphere the size of a watermelon, and under her father's watchful eye, learned the fundamentals of volleyball out of their backyard in Kaimuki.
Jaime Kanoelehua Kamana‘o, better known in the volleyball realm as "Kanoe", has been head and shoulders above the competition since day one. "When I was 9-years-old, I started playing competitively with a 12-and-under team. I was competing in a higher division, against kids that were older than me. Growing up I always played at a higher level than my age bracket, except for my senior year (of high school), when I just played with the 18-and-under," said Kanoe Kamana‘o, a senior on the University of Hawaii Women's Volleyball Team.
Taking Charge
Ever since the 5-foot-8 setter made a statement on the volleyball court her freshman year, she has flourished, playing every match at the setter position for the Rainbow Wahine — But there was a time when the critics and coaches felt she'd be better served in the libero position.
The libero is a defensive specialist, who can replace any player in the back row without making a substitution. This specialist is wears a different color uniform, and must remain in the back row at all times. "As a libero, you take charge in the back row, but I really like to take charge of the back and front. When you're in the back row you can't really say much or do much because you're not playing in the front row. When you're setting you're actually taking charge of both rows, and that's what I like to do. As a setter, I know that I can run a play, and if it works than great. I know I assisted that person in getting that kill. If it doesn't work there are always other options to get that point or that win. I like to be a leader out there, and being the setter you run everything. That's something that I take charge of. For me, I try to lead by example."
The Iolani graduate was offered scholarships by numerous Division I schools, but most of them wanted her to play the libero position. Powerhouses like Long Beach State, Arizona, and Southern California recruited her, but the thought of not going away as a setter kept her open to the possibility of staying home. "My intentions were to go away, but when I was told they wanted me to play libero, it really pushed me away because I wanted to go (away) as a setter. A lot of them were rushing me to make a decision, but Hawaii was always right there. They were like, 'don't worry about it, just do what's best for you, and we'll always be here'. I put the pros and cons together, and no school could beat the fans, and the number of fans that come out and support us."
Trekking Up!
When Kanoe was 12, she was a floor wiper at UH volleyball games, but these days, the only thing this All-American setter wipes out is the competition in the Western Athletic Conference. Kanoe says, "When I was 12-years-old, I was a floor wiper and ball girl at UH volleyball games. I was wiping floors when Robyn Ah Mow was playing, and I've always looked up to her. She's been a role model for me, even to this day. I always wanted to be like her, and follow her path. When I got to play for the United States (A2) team last summer, she (Ah Mow-Santos) was one of the Olympians on the team I was on. It was me, her (Ah Mow-Santos), and the setter from Stanford. It's not so much what she said, but just more what she taught me. She taught me a lot about technique (setting), and just being on the same court as her awes you. You're in shock! You look up to them so much, and you evaluate yourself, and you feel like you've finally arrived. It puts you at a higher level. It's a volleyball trek, telling you that you're on the right path."
A Ready Position
The 21-year-old is majoring in communications, and works diligently throughout the semester to maintain her 3.45 grade point average. Last semester Kanoe interned with the UH Sports Media Department, witnessing first hand what collegiate athletics is like on the opposite side of the net. "It was fun. I really liked working in that atmosphere. It was different, something I didn't expect, but definitely something I wouldn't mind doing once my volleyball career is over. I didn't know they did so much. For the first time, I got to see all the things they have to do behind the scenes. Much of what they do goes unnoticed. I would probably like to do something more along the lines of advertising or marketing. I plan on going to grad school here, but it all depends on how volleyball turns out. I'm really not sure what's in my future, but at least I have communications or volleyball to fall back on." Kamana‘o has yet to determine what she'll be doing once her career with the Bows' is over, but she does have a lot of options. It would be a once in a lifetime opportunity for her to play for the U.S. Women's Volleyball Team at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Bejing, but the senior hasn't really had the time to ponder her post-graduation plans. "Of course if I got the chance to play it would be a no brainer. It's something that I'd definitely do."
Family Matters
In team sports, success depends on chemistry, and whether a team works together as one cohesive unit. "It (the team) is very family oriented. You have the coaches who are like your parents, and your teammates who are your sisters. Kari Ambrozich (UH assistant coach) is the mom of the team. She's the backbone, and she does all the behind the scenes work for the team. Dave (Shoji) is the dad of the whole team. He's the one to lay down the law. Since I've been here my freshman year, the teams have always been close. Even though you have your problems here and there, we're still a family. Sometimes girls disagree with one another, but we get things worked out and we're close again. We just all love each other on this team! There's disagreement in every family."
Advice To Any Athlete
"In volleyball, you'll have your bad days and your good days. The bad days are usually because you have too much on your mind. People are always saying to leave your luggage at the door, and then walk into the room. If you're having a bad day, leave it at the door. Use practice as an escape from all the other stuff going on that day. If I'm not having a good day, whether it's personally or because of school, I make sure I leave it all at the door. When you're done with practice you can pick back up your luggage and resume with whatever it was that was challenging you."
Managing Time
With all the time spent traveling, collegiate athletes need to know how to manage their time to stay ahead of the learning curve. "When you have a break, you have to be doing your (school) work. Our coaches give us study hall to make sure our schoolwork gets done. Some of our professors allow Kari (Ambrozich) to proctor our exams when we're on the road so when the class is taking the exam, we're taking it with them. This is so we won't be too far behind when we get back. The shortest plane ride is five hours, which is also a time when we can get our work done. If you have a paper due in two weeks it's up to you, whether you want to break the work up or procrastinate and do it all one time. It's all about managing your time with the workload you have. For me, time is very valuable."
Behing Every Great Athlete…
…Is an even better coach. Head Coach Dave Shoji, has been a staple on the sidelines at Rainbow Wahine volleyball games since 1975. Shoji was an All-American setter for the University of California, Santa Barbara so he's been known to be demanding of his setters. "Dave took me under his wing from day one. He's a coach that makes sure that academics come before athletics. Volleyball wise, Dave is such a motivator! If you're having an off day, he's not too hard on you. He's always positive, and tries to motivate you. He knows what it takes to motivate each player on the team. Dave is someone you can always approach. When I'm done I will definitely miss playing for him."
KAMANA‘O FILE
Name:
Jaime Kanoelehua Kamana‘o
Height: 5'8"
Class/Position: Senior/Setter
Age: 21
Favorite Food:
"I love to eat Hawaiian food!"
Favorite Movie: "Anchorman"
Favorite Band:
The Temptations
Superstition:
Her hair…she wears it the same way for the entire season
High School:
Iolani, Class of 2003
I'd bet you didn't know:
"My favorite number used to be 14. It was just something I grew up wearing. Since college ball started I switched over to 10. Got to support it!"
