WAC honors two UH athletes

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i's Kim Willoughby became the first athlete to earn Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors in volleyball and basketball.

Willoughby, a 6-foot reserve forward from Napo-leonville, La., got her first basketball player of the week honor after a 16-point, 12-rebound performance in a 67-44 loss to Louisiana Tech. She had 20 points and 15 rebounds in a 69-60 victory over Southern Methodist. Willoughby was 18-for-19 in free-throw attempts in the two games, including 10-for-10 against the Mustangs.

Willoughby, a two-time All-America volleyball player, was WAC volleyball player of the week twice this past season.

Willoughby joined the basketball team in December after helping lead the Rainbow Wahine to the volleyball national semifinals.

She is averaging 10.5 points and 7.8 rebounds and leads the team in free-throw percentage (.824).

In 2000-01, Svetlana Badrankova of Texas-El Paso was honored in two different sports — indoor and outdoor track — according to WAC officials.

Crowell also honored: Hawai'i softball player April Crowell was named WAC Player of the Week yesterday.

Nevada's Judith van Kampen was named WAC Pitcher of the Week.

Crowell, a junior from 'Ewa Beach, was 5-for-13 in five games during the Chevron Paradise Classic. She was 3-for-4, including two home runs in UH's 8-0 victory over Louisville. She finished the tournament with three home runs, three runs scored and eight RBIs. Hawai'i is 2-3 after the season-opening tournament.

Crowell, a designated player and third baseman, was also conference player of the week in 2001.