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Torch Passed

Shoji retires after 42 years, Ah Mow-Santos to take over UH program

Shoji

The Maui News

Longtime University of Hawaii women’s volleyball coach Dave Shoji has officially retired, and former Rainbow Wahine player and assistant coach Robyn Ah Mow-Santos is taking over the program, athletic director David Matlin announced Monday.

Shoji, who took a leave of absence in December to begin treatment for prostate cancer, retires after 42 seasons as head coach of the Rainbow Wahine. He is the second-winningest coach in NCAA Division I history, compiling a 1,202-204-1 record, and guided UH to four national titles.

“I’m happy to officially announce my retirement as the Rainbow Wahine volleyball coach,” Shoji said in a statement Monday. “After much discussion with my wife Mary and my immediate family we felt the time was right to step away from coaching. I feel truly humbled and honored to have coached for 42 years and I’m grateful for all the support from our great fans, student-athletes, assistant coaches, and administration.

“The selection of Robyn Ah Mow-Santos is an excellent choice. She has the passion for the game; she found success at every level as a player; and she paid her dues as an assistant coach and is now ready to assume a head coaching position. She will have my full support and I wish her nothing but the best.”

Ah Mow-Santos

Considered one of the greats of the Rainbow Wahine program, Ah Mow-Santos played at Hawaii from 1993-96. The McKinley High School graduate was a two-time All-American and ranks third in school history in career assists (4,313).

After her days at UH, Ah Mow-Santos played on U.S. Olympic indoor teams in 2000, 2004 and 2008, helping the Americans win silver in Beijing.

She served as an assistant coach under Shoji from 2011-15.

“I am excited and humbled at the same time,” Ah Mow-Santos said. “Replacing Dave Shoji is impossible. I will never forget what he has done for me personally as well as the Hawaii volleyball program. Dave walked me out of the McKinley High School gym and into the Rainbow Wahine program that created a lot of opportunities for me. It’s a privilege for me to be able to give back to the University and the game that has given me so much. I look forward to reuniting with the student-athletes and hope that I can help create lasting impressions and unforgettable experiences for them.”

Ah Mow-Santos is only the third head coach in program history — Shoji took over the team in 1975, the second year of its existence.

Robyn Ah Mow-Santos kisses her son, Jordan, who holds up his mother’s Olympic silver medal after the U.S. women’s volleyball team lost to Brazil in the gold-medal match at the 2008 Beijing Games. Ah Mow-Santos also played on the U.S. Olympic teams in 2000 and 2004. AP file photo

In addition to his national titles in 1979 (AIWA), 1982, 1983 and 1987, Shoji is a member of the AVCA Hall of Fame. Last season, he guided the Rainbow Wahine to their 35th trip to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost in the second round.

“I don’t think anyone will ever match what Dave has accomplished for our Rainbow Wahine volleyball program in terms of longevity and accomplishments,” Matlin said. “He has dedicated more than half of his life to the program and has touched the lives of hundreds of student-athletes. His legacy will live on through his well-deserved induction into the AVCA Hall of Fame and through all the blood, sweat and tears his teams have battled through on the court at Klum Gym and the Teraflex at the Stan Sheriff Center. Rainbow Wahine Volleyball will always raise a glass to Dave Shoji.”

Dave Shoji, shown during an NCAA Tournament match in 2015, guided the Rainbow Wahine to 35 trips to the NCAA Tournament and three NCAA titles (1982, 1983, 1987), as well as the 1979 AIWA national championship. AP file photo

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