Off to Hawaii!!!

The Warriors head off to Hawaii tomorrow morning for 8 sunny days and 7 warm nights. But this trip will not be for rest and relaxation as the Warriors will play 3 games during the trip. This will be the Warriors second trip to Hawaii. The last time they played out in Hawaii (2004-05) they went 2-2 on the road trip using the trip as a bonding experience for everyone on the team. The idea worked wonders for the team as they won the first of now four consecutive NSIC Conference Championships along with the schools second birth in the NCAA tournament and a upset win in the first round of the tournament over then NCC Conference Champions Nebraska-Omaha.

The goal for this years trip is no different as the coach staff hopes to see the same great results from the players on this trip. Coach Leaf commented on the trip by saying, "This trip is a great opportunity for our players and staff to bond together as a team. This years team is a lot like the 04-05 team, in that we have some great senior leadership to go along with some talented under-class men. Bringing everyone on a trip like this will allow our team to get to know each other on a new level and we are hoping it can spring board us into another great season."

The hope of bonding as a team is not the only reason for the trip. While out in Hawaii the Warriors will face some stiff competition in the form of a tough BYU-Hawaii and Oakland City squad. The Warriors face BYU-Hawaii twice during the trip playing them on Nov. 18th and Nov. 20th. They finish up their play on Nov. 22nd when they take on Oakland City on the campus of BYU-Hawaii. Coach Leaf feels the competition they will be running into is top notch and he expects to learn a lot from his team. "We are not taking this trip for just some fun in the sun. We will be playing some very difficult competition while we are out there. This will give us a great opportunity to see where we are as a team and where we need to improve." Leaf went on to say, "One of our main goal each season as a coaching staff is to find some of best competition that is out their. We feel we have found this by taking this trip. It will prepare for the up coming conference season as well as get us ready for NCAA tournament play."

Go Warriors!!!