Since joining the WAC in 1996, Hawai'i has won every WAC Player of the Year award.

"I think it's a tribute to all the hard work our players have done," Shoji said of the awards. "I think they're all deserving."

Hawai'i sophomore outside hitter Alicia Arnott and junior middle blocker/outside hitter Victoria Prince joined Kamana'o on the league's first team. Junior outside hitter Susie Boogaard and junior libero Ashley Watanabe were selected to the second team, and middle blocker Juliana Sanders joined Hittle on the all-freshman team.

"I think the whole team deserves some kind of an honor," said Kamana'o, who led the conference in assists per game (13.93) while finishing fifth in blocks per game (1.29). "I think this team is so great. I think they should have a team award."

Added Shoji: "She's probably the main reason why we're undefeated. Probably the main reason why we won the regular season, and probably the main reason why we're No. 2 in the nation. Everything revolves around her. We knew it, and she's delivered."

As for Hittle, she said her award took her by surprise.

"There's a lot of good players in the WAC," said Hittle, who averaged 3.17 kills per game and 2.35 digs per game. "I wasn't really thinking about (the award). When I go out and play, I just try to play as hard as I can, and try to have fun. I'm definitely honored."

As for Shoji, he received his fifth WAC Coach of the Year award. Boogaard said Shoji has engineered one of his best coaching performances this season. Hawai'i lost six starters, including All-Americans Kim Willoughby and Lily Kahumoku entering this season.

"He was a good coach before, but he does have to coach more, and it's a little more stressful for him now," Boogaard said. "He's gone through a lot, but he's kept his cool with the girls and the team."

As an example of his coaching skill, Boogaard said Shoji has mixed and matched the middle blockers and played them in the "right place at the right time every game so far."

Shoji has also called upon various reserves to serve in key situations with great success, Boogaard said.

"He's just throwing out some crazy, random stuff that sometimes you're like, 'What are you thinking, Dave?' " Boogaard said. "But it all works. He knows exactly what he's doing. He's come through for us in crunch time every time so far."

Shoji said his award was a reflection of the coaching staff and the Rainbow Wahine program. In addition, Shoji said he remains true to his coaching style.

"To me, we coach the same way," Shoji said. "We coach fundamentals. We try to develop players. This year is just different. We don't have the established player. The players have responded, and they've improved. They should get the credit, not the coaches. The players win games, not the coaches."

Notes: Fresno State sophomore outside hitter Tuli Peters (Kahuku High School, 2003) earned second-team All-WAC honors. ... Hawai'i, the No. 1 seed, will play Southern Methodist in the quarterfinals of the WAC Tournament on Friday (10 a.m. HST) at Reno, Nev. Oceanic Ch. 16 will broadcast UH's matches live on Friday and Saturday (3 p.m., if UH advances). The WAC championship will be broadcast live nationwide on CSTV (Oceanic Digital Ch. 247) on Sunday at 1 p.m. KKEA Sports and Talk Radio (1420 AM) will broadcast all UH matches. ... Shoji said Hawai'i has a "good chance" of being one of the 16 sites hosting NCAA first and second rounds matches. "Theoretically, they go to the top 16 teams in the country," Shoji said. "So we should get one."

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.