Willoughby won't travel

Advertiser Staff

Second-ranked Hawai'i will be without the nation's kill leader on its second trip of the season.

Kim Willoughby, suffering from strep throat, will not make the volleyball trip to Boise State and Texas-El Paso this week. She is expected to be healthy by the next home match, Oct. 16 against Louisiana Tech.

Willoughby, a two-time All-American, is averaging a Division I-best 6.76 kills per game and hitting .427. She leads the Western Athletic Conference in kills, hitting and aces (0.67 per game) and is 20th on the NCAA career kill list. She has not missed a match since her freshman year.

The Rainbow Wahine (15-1, 3-0 WAC) have a 14-match winning streak and have beaten their last 77 WAC opponents, a streak that dates back five years this week. Boise State (5-13, 1-3) and UTEP (5-13, 0-4) are last in their respective WAC divisions.

All that eases the pain of losing Willoughby. UH coach Dave Shoji says he is not concerned. All-American Lily Kahumoku will rotate to Willoughby's position next to the setter and freshman Alicia Arnott will take Kahumoku's spot.

"Someone else just needs to step up," Shoji said. "I think Arnott will get her share of kills and Lily will see more sets. We're not going to change our offense.

"Arnott will get some quality time and she needs it. It will be a good experience."

Sophomore Susie Boogaard is the other backup on the left side. She sprained her ankle last week but is available to play if needed.

QUICK SETS: Both road matches will be broadcast live on 1420 AM. Tomorrow's begins at 2:45 p.m. HST and Saturday's at 8:45 a.m. ... Lily Kahumoku moved ahead of Suzanne Eagye into fourth place on the UH career kills list Saturday. Kahumoku has 1,562 — eight from tying Angelica Ljungquist for third.