Berg honored by Minnesota
By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer
Within six days last week, Lindsey Berg of Manoa added a gold medal and a gold ring to her jewelry collection.
At the University of Minnesota Women's Athletics Patty Berg Awards Banquet April 30, Lindsey Berg (no relation to the Hall of Fame golfer) was named winner of Minnesota's Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor for 2001-02.
It is the most prestigious award that a Minnesota female student-athlete can earn.
Five nights later, setter Berg helped the Minnesota Chill beat the Chicago Thunder to win the first championship of the United States Professional Volleyball league, for which she will receive a gold ring. Berg has received the new league's Outstanding Server and Outstanding Setter awards and led the USPV in assists and service aces.
Berg, a three-time All-Big Ten and All-Midwest Region setter for Minnesota, is third on the Big Ten Conference career assists and aces lists.
She is a 1998 Punahou graduate and was a three-time all-state pick.
MEN'S TENNIS
• Saint Louis
Freshman Ikaika Jobe (Punahou '01, of Wailupe Circle) was selected third-team All-Conference USA by coaches.
Jobe had a 16-8 singles record (12-4 at No. 1) and was 18-8 at No. 1 doubles for the Billikens. He was a two-time state singles champion for Punahou.
• Bowdoin (Maine)
Freshman Bucky Jencks (Punahou '01, of Nu'uanu) will be playing in the NCAA III regional team championships this weekend. Jencks is 14-4 in singles, mostly at No. 5, and 18-2 at No. 3 doubles.
Jencks also started for the Polar Bears' men's soccer team last fall. "He's on his way to becoming a two-sport standout here," Bowdoin spokesman Jim Caton said.
• New York U.
Sophomore Richard Salem (Punahou '00) had a team-best 14-8 doubles record, mostly at No. 1, and was 11-9 in singles, including 7-4 at No. 3.
"Richie is our laid-back guy from Hawai'i. No team is complete without one," coach John Curtis said. "Don't let that fool you, though. He can take down opponents with a variety of big weapons."
WOMEN'S TENNIS
• Redlands (Calif.)
Freshmen Erin Hiranaga (University '01) of Palolo Valley and Lauren Matsushita (Baldwin '01) played first and second singles all season and both were chosen first-team All-Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference by coaches.
They reached the quarterfinals in both singles and doubles at the big Ojai Tournament April 25-28.
Hiranaga went 18-11 and Matsushita 18-7 in singles and together they were 13-10 in doubles.
Senior Kim Oho (Leilehua) also was on the squad.
MEN'S VOLLEYBALL
• University of California-Irvine
Middle blocker Brenden Watumull (Punahou '98, of Hahaione Valley) ranked 10th nationally in blocking average in his senior season with 1.27 per game.
He had 107 block assists and 124 total blocks, fourth best in UC-Irvine single-season records. Watumull had 13 block assists and 14 total against Long Beach State, a season high for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
Junior opposite Wade Ichinose (Punahou '99, of Pearl City) played in seven games and senior James "Kaipo" Kealalio (Kapa'a '99) played in two games for UC-Irvine.
• New Jersey Institute of Technology
Senior outside hitter Hunter Haliniak (Roosevelt '97) was honored as the team's Outstanding Performer. Haliniak was ninth in NCAA Division II with 2.19 digs per game and led his team with a .227 hitting percentage.
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
• New York U.
The libero rule "will provide a spotlight to shine" for Christeen Walch (Iolani '00, of Kahala), coach Tim Cowie said.
As a sophomore defensive specialist last season, the 5-foot-8 Walch led the team in aces with 66 (.673 per game) and had a passing success percentage of .890. She played in 98 games and averaged 2.42 digs per game.
WOMEN'S GOLF
• Lewis & Clark (Oregon)
Freshman Mari Kotake (Punahou '01) of Kaimuki is ranked 12th among NCAA Division III women and has been selected to play in the national championship tournament May 14-17 in South Hadley, Mass.
