The Professional Volleyball League, made up of five women's teams, including the Hawaii Waves, has suspended operations for the remainder of the season. Pro volleyball league
quits until next yearCiting circumstances with the two expansion teams and lack of sponsorships, the league has folded its inaugural season so the teams can prepare for next year.
"It is in the interest of women's professional volleyball in general and the PVL specifically to assure our players and fans have the best possible conditions in which to enjoy a pro match," Don Petrilli, PVL president, said in a news release. "We are suspending all 1997 events in order to prepare properly for the 1998 season."
The Waves, coached by Mike Normand, had four home matches remaining and two on the road before next month's league playoffs in Salt Lake City.
Hawaii canceled its last home match due to lack of funds to pay gym rental fees.
The fledgling PVL was comprised of the Sacramento Stars, San Jose Storm, Utah Predators, San Bernardino Jazz and the Waves.
HUSKIES TOP VULCANS: At Hilo, the Washington Huskies completed a two-game sweep of their nonconference baseball series with the University of Hawaii at Hilo with a 4-2 victory yesterday at the UHH Stadium.
Saturday, the Huskies scored 14 runs in the last four innings en route to a 17-8 triumph.q
WEIGHTLIFTING RECORDS: University of Hawaii students Nicola Nakama and Gavin Ozaki set a total of five records at the Hawaii State Open Weightlifting Championships Saturday at the Ward Warehouse Amphitheater Stage.
Nakama, competing in the women's 100-pound class, set records when she snatched 115 pounds and totaled 247 pounds.
Ozaki, lifting in the 218 class, snatched 209 pounds, jerked 286 pounds and totaled 495 pounds, all state records.
BANKS SOCCER TOURNAMENT: The 15th annual Kirk D. Banks Invitational Soccer Tournament will be held at Kapiolani Park this week with 80 games played on 12 fields each day starting at 7:30 a.m., Thursday through Sunday.
More than 2,850 boys and girls, ages 8-18 representing all islands, will compete in the four-day event.
The tournament is named in memory of Kirk Banks, who played soccer at Kailua High School, coached AYSO teams and helped form adult men's and women's teams in Kailua. He died in an auto accident on the Big Island in 1983 at the age of 31.
FORT SHAFTER RUN SET: The four-mile Fort Shafter run is scheduled for April 4 with a 7 a.m. start adjacent to the Fort Shafter Post Theater.
The entry fee is $5, MPRRC members, $3. for additional information, call 261-6772.
KONG TO DEFEND TITLE: Bev Kong will defend her title as the second All-Services Women's Golf Tournament will be held April 7-9.
The first round of the 54-hole tournament will be held at Barbers Point, followed by the Kalakaua and the Kaneohe Klipper courses.
The event is open to all amateur women golfers 18 and older with an April index handicap of 32.9. They also must be members of a Hawaii State Women's Golf Association golf group. Entry fee is $120 with carts mandatory. For more information, telephone Norma Baxter at 455-8373 or Betty Harrell at 623-8668. Mail entries to Norma Baxter, 706 Hooluu Street, Pearl City, Hawaii 96731.