Mahelona a preseason All-American
By Leila Wai LET US KNOW
Tennessee senior defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona, a 2001 Kealakehe graduate from Kailua, Kona, was chosen to his ninth preseason All-America team when Rivals.com made him a first-team selection Monday.
Athlon, Blue Ribbon, College FootballNews.com, Lindy's, Nationalchamps.net, Playboy, Sporting News and Street & Smith's also selected Mahelona on their preseason All-America teams.
MORE FOOTBALL
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He was quoted on the Pac-10 Web site:
On his initial thoughts on new coach Ty Willingham: "My first impression in just seeing him on TV was that he was serious so I was intimidated. But when I first met him, he was very genuine. Coach has great character and is a role model to me. I am excited to play for him."
On being picked to finish 10th in the Pac-10: "It's no surprise to me; we were 1-10 last season. I don't care about the polls, I'm just ready for the season to begin. This summer our entire team worked out and that was great to have everyone here training, building that team unity."
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Lee and Pa'akaula, 2004 graduates of St. Joseph from Hilo, earned postseason honors last season, with Lee being named the MAAC Rookie of the Year and an All-MAAC first-team honoree, and Pa'akaula earning All-MAAC second-team honors.
Fairfield was the preseason pick to win the MAAC in a coaches' poll.
SOFTBALL
Tokumine was chosen the team's Pitcher of the Year, and Miyahira was named the team's Most Valuable Player.
ACADEMIC HONORS
