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Thursday, April 27, 2000

Star-Bulletin file photo
Costas Theocharidis made an impact his first season for Hawaii.

Theocharidis
named All-American

The UH freshman is also named
volleyball's Newcomer
of the Year

Star-Bulletin staff

University of Hawaii freshman outside hitter Costas Theocharidis was impressive all season for the Rainbow men's volleyball team.

Yesterday, the player nicknamed "Greece Lightning'' earned two impressive national honors: first-team All-American and the American Volleyball Coaches Association Newcomer of the Year.

Theocharidis, from Orestiada, Greece, is the only freshman on the nine-member first team. The others are all repeat selections, including Pepperdine junior Scott Wong, a Punahou graduate.

Former Rainbow Andre Breuer, who transferred to Pepperdine for his final season, was named to the second team for the second straight year. Breuer was a first-team selection in 1998, the last Hawaii player to earn that honor.

Player of the Year honors went to Southern Cal senior setter Donald Suxho. Top-ranked USC ended No. 8 Hawaii's season at 19-10 last Saturday in a first-round match of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament.

Theocharidis was among the top 10 nationally in hitting, averaging more the six kills a game, and hitting close to .400. The 6-foot-2 hitter also named the national player of the week during the season.

The MPSF Tournament continues tonight with semifinal matches at Pepperdine.

Loyola Marymount (12-11), an upset winner over Long Beach State last week, faces UCLA (25-5).

The host Waves (21-4) take on the Trojans (22-4) in the second semifinal. Pepperdine has defeated Southern Cal twice this season.

The final is Saturday with the winner advancing to the May 4-6 final at Ft. Wayne, Ind.

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UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii