UH dominates WAC honors
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
University of Hawai'i senior left-side hitter Kim Willoughby was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year for the third year in a row, and a record six Rainbow Wahine were named to the all-conference first team, the WAC announced yesterday.
Lily Kahumoku became the first four-time WAC first-team selection for Hawai'i, which joined the conference in volleyball in 1996.
It is the eighth straight year a Hawai'i player was named player of the year, and Willoughby is the first to be given the honor three years in a row.
"I think her numbers prove again that she's deserving of this award," Hawai'i coach Dave Shoji said. "I think her consistency is something that all the coaches recognize. She comes to play every night, and she is very deserving of the award."
Willoughby led the WAC in kills (6.60 kpg) and hitting percentage (.365).
Willoughby, Kahumoku, senior middle blockers Lauren Duggins and Maja Gustin, senior right-side hitter Nohea Tano and freshman setter Kanoe Kamana'o were named to the 12-member first team.
Senior libero Melissa Villaroman was named to the second team.
There were no liberos named to the first team.
Kamana'o was named the WAC's Freshman of the Year, after leading the conference in assists (13.18 apg). It is the fourth time a Rainbow Wahine has won the honor.
"It's interesting because there are some other freshman setters," Shoji said. "But she stepped into a situation that was very tough and she held her own. She has improved and is also worthy."
All-WAC teams were expanded to 12 players in 2001. Four Rainbow Wahine were named to the first team in 2001 and 2002. In 2000, four were named to the six-player first team.
"Obviously, it's an honor for our team to be recognized like this, because it is the coaches voting, and I'm not allowed to vote for my own players," Shoji said. "They recognize the value of every one of our players."
It was the fourth all-conference honor for Willoughby, who was named to the second team as a freshman, third for Duggins and Gustin, and second for Villaroman.
"I think probably for some of them who have made it already, it's not a big deal," Shoji said. "For someone like Nohea Tano, she's got to feel good about her effort and contribution to the team.
"(In the beginning) she had some battles to be on the court, but as the season developed she's become an integral part of the team, with her defense and blocking, and her steadiness."
Top-seeded Hawai'i opens the WAC Championship tournament against No. 8 Tulsa, 3:30 p.m. Friday at Reno, Nev.
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.
