Teammate Kim Willoughby is on the first team for the third consecutive year. Lily Kahumoku was put on the second team after earning first-team honors her last two seasons.

Kamana'o, a 5-foot-8 setter, is the only non-senior starter for the second-ranked Rainbow Wahine, who play in an NCAA Championship semifinal tonight against third-ranked Florida. In Hawai'i's regional final victory over Georgia Tech Saturday, she set a school rally-scoring record with 71 assists in four games.

Yesterday, Kamana'o deflected the recognition, saying "I don't see it as an individual award," then admitted some surprise at each honor.

"Coming from high school, I looked at Kim being an All-American and just thought, 'She's awesome,' " Kamana'o said. "I couldn't see myself being right there. Knowing I am right there ... I'm in awe."

Kamana'o was Hawai'i State High School Player of the Year after leading Iolani to the state title as a junior. In her first semester of college, her gifted hands have lifted Hawai'i to No. 2 nationally in kills (18.18) and assists (16.83) per game. Kamana'o is already eighth in career assists at UH and is seventh nationally this year.

KIM WILLOUGHBY

"There's no ego in her game and she has no agenda other than winning," said Shoji. "Based on what I've seen her do for our team, I can't imagine any freshman having a better year.

"We were as good as last year at that position and some people might think we're a little better than we were at this time last year with two seniors (setting). Certainly, Kanoe stepped into a tough situation and performed above anyone's expectations. I had a feeling she'd play like this for us. She's done everything she could."

His joy at Kamana'o's recognition was tempered by Kahumoku's demotion. Her teammates were visibly shaken at the news, then disappointed and determined.

"Hopefully, that doesn't even really matter," Willoughby said. "We're going to play hard, play Hawai'i volleyball and she will show them why she should have been first-team All-American."

LILY KAHUMOKU

Are there 11 other players in the country Shoji would rather have?

"Absolutely not," Shoji said flatly. "Her numbers might not add up as high as some other people, but the work she does for our team is huge and Lily is a better player now than she was last year or the year before that. The committee can't see that from her numbers. She's certainly done more for our defense. If she's on any other team she gets more sets, but she never worries about her sets."

Any team other than one with Willoughby, to be more specific. Hawai'i's senior hitter from Napoleonville, La., earned her third consecutive first-team honor. She has been among the top three hitters in the nation all three years and is averaging 6.65 kills a game this season. More startling is her .385 hitting percentage, an abnormally high number for an outside hitter.

The national Player of the Year will be announced tomorrow. Shoji believes it should be Willoughby.

"April Ross (USC) has a shot and Aury Cruz (Florida) has a shot," Shoji said. "Again, it's something that doesn't show up in the statistics, but I think Kim is the best all-around player of the three. ... I can't imagine anybody better than Kim."