Hawai'i's Kai selected WAC soccer Player of Year again

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i sophomore forward Natasha Kai won her second consecutive Western Athletic Conference soccer Player of the Year award and was one of three Rainbow Wahine selected to the all-WAC team announced yesterday.

Junior forward Robyn deHay was selected to the first team and junior midfielder Joelle Sugai earned second-team honors. Nevada defender Leisha Makinano, an Iolani School graduate, was also named to the second team.

"Any time our kids are recognized for the hard work they put out there, I'm happy," UH coach Pinsoom Tenzing said. "I'm tickled pink."

Kai, a Kahuku High School graduate, has set nearly a dozen conference and school records, and leads the nation in points (62) and goals scored (29). Her 14 goals in WAC play eclipsed the record of 10 she last season. She also had four three-goal performances this season, including a four-goal performance at Nevada, to tie another WAC record.

"I think she's somebody that would have been a sacrilege to leave out of being the best in the WAC," Tenzing said.

DeHay, a transfer from Stanford and Kamehameha Schools graduate, had a team-leading eight assists, one shy of the single-season school record and good for second in the WAC. She tied a school record with three assists in her second UH match against Bowling Green on Aug. 31. She is second on the team in goals (3) and third in points (14).

Team co-captain Sugai, an 'Aiea High School graduate, was one of just three UH players to start in all 19 matches this season. She recorded three assists and is tied for third on the UH career list with 13.

Tenzing said he was disappointed that more players from his WAC co-championship team were not selected, such as goalie Mahie Atay. By comparison, third-place Rice had seven players and co-champion SMU had five on the first and second teams. Tenzing said coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players.

Tenzing said lack of exposure might have prevented more UH players from being recognized.

"I'm not crying, but I feel sorry," he said. "We're better than three kids being selected to the first and second team."

The WAC Championships begin today at Dallas. The No. 2 seed Rainbow Wahine will play tomorrow against the winner of the Rice-Fresno State match.

First Team

Forwards: Katri Nokso-Koivisto (Fresno State), Natasha Kai (Hawai'i), Ashley Anderson (Rice), Robyn deHay (Hawai'i), Kim Harvey (SMU). Midfielders: Sarah Yoder (Rice), Olivia O'Rear (SMU), Jill Heinemann (SMU). Defenders: Abbe Bernards (Boise State), Caitlin Currie (Rice), Amanda Jordan (SMU). Goalie: Amanda Clark (SMU).

Second Team

Forwards: Brittany Zoellner (Boise State), Kortney Lewis (Fresno State), Christine McCartney (UTEP). Midfielders: Abbe Roche (Boise State), Joelle Sugai (Hawai'i), Vanessa Serrano (Rice), Kaletia Roberts (UTEP). Defenders: Leisha Makinano (Nevada), Betsy Huete (Rice), Erin Droeger (Rice). Goalie: Lauren Shockley (Rice).

Player of the Year: Natasha Kai (Hawai'i). Freshman of the Year: Olivia O'Rear (SMU). Coach of the Year: Steve Lucas (Boise State).