HPU's Tuitele honored

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i Pacific University setter Nia Tuitele is an AVCA first-team All-American for the third consecutive year.

The 5-foot-9 senior is the first Sea Warrior and only player on this year's 12-player All-America squad to earn first-team honors three straight years.

"It's an overwhelming feeling, I'm very shocked," Tuitele said. "I'm grateful for being an All-American and I accept it on behalf of the whole team. I thank my teammates for making my job easier."

Tuitele's career average of 12.11 assists per game is 10th all-time in NCAA Division II.

The 1997 McKinley High graduate played in every match over her four-year career, and helped HPU to a 103-13 record and two national championships. She had at least 1,000 assists in each of her seasons.

She is second in school history in aces (106), third in blocks (247) and fourth in digs (965).

Tuitele was previously named Pacific West Conference Player of the Year.