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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 10:18 a.m., Monday, May 4, 2009

Shoji brothers named to volleyball All-America first team

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Kawika, left, and Erik Shoji

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Brothers Kawika and Erik Shoji of Stanford were named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division I-II Men's All-America first team today. Erik Shoji also was named newcomer of the year.

The sons of Hawai'i women's volleyball coach Dave Shoji were part of the 10-member first team. Kawika Shjoji is a 6-3 junior setter for the Cardinal. Erik Shoji is a 6-0 freshman libero/defensive specialist.

Also named to the first team were Ryan Ammerman of UC Irvine, Dean Bittner of Long Beach State, Paul Carroll of Pepperdine, Max Holt, Max Lipsitz and Will Price of Penn State, Troy Murphy of USC and Eric Vance of Cal State Northridge.

The national player of the year will be announced on Wednesday.

Erik Shoji, a Punahou alum, led the nation in digs per set, en route to earning All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation second-team and All-MPSF freshman team laurels.

An All-MPSF first-team honoree, Kawika Shoji, an 'Iolani alum, ranked among the national elite in assists per set, while also guiding Stanford to one of the nation's best team hitting percentages. Shoji was a All-American second-team pick in 2008.

Named to the All-America second team were Tony Ciarelli of USC, Carson Clark, Jordan DuFault and Kevin Wynne of UC Irvine, Dennis Del Valle and Edgardo Goas of Penn State, Drew Pickering of Lewis, Jacek Ratajczak of Cal State Northridge, Jordan Varee of Saint Francis and Dustin Watten of Long Beach State.