ISLE FILE
UH softball team signs 5 for 2004

Advertiser Staff

The University of Hawai'i softball team has signed five players, including two from Hawai'i, for the 2004 season.

"We addressed the mound with some imposing figures as well as picking up a very quality catcher and two versatile positional players, one with power and the other with speed," said UH coach Bob Coolen.

Among the early signees are Tyleen Tausaga of Kaimuki High and Shannon Guerrero of Leilehua High.

Tausaga batted .780 last season with six home runs, five doubles and five triples. Coolen expects to use the all-state player at first base and possibly catcher.

Guerrero, a switch-hitting shortstop, will play the middle infield or outfield for UH.

The other recruits are:

Dena DePompa — A catcher at Verdugo Hills High in Tujunga, Calif. She hit .379 last season and Coolen calls her "one of the better receivers I've seen."

Caroline Blood — A 6-foot pitcher at Long Beach (Calif.) Wilson High, who is also a middle blocker on California's No. 1-ranked volleyball team. Coolen says the "very versatile athlete" will pitch and also play at first base.

Jessica Morton — A 6-foot pitcher at Grant's Pass (Ore.) High. Coolen expects Morton, who throws 63-65 mph, to "be a factor for us very quickly."

WATER POLO

• BYUH finishes fourth: Air Force scored six goals in the final period to beat Brigham Young-Hawai'i, 9-6, in the third-place game of the Western Water Polo Association Championships at San Diego.

Stu Johnson and Vanja Kalabic scored two goals each for BYUH (16-11).

Kalabic was named to the WWPA first team while teammates Jordan Brink and Alexsander Stankovic received honorable mention.

Redlands edged Chaminade, 7-6, for seventh place.

Milos Matijevic scored two goals for Chaminade (10-10). Silversword Petar Samac was selected to the WWPA second team.

Top-seeded UC San Diego held off Loyola Marymount, 5-4, to win its 13th WWPA title.