Tuesday, September 25, 2001
Willoughby nets Kim Willoughby's smile wasn't the only thing lighting up the volleyball court last weekend.
national honor
The Wahine outside hitter is
the AVCA player of the weekBy Grace Wen
gwen@starbulletin.comThe sophomore outside hitter's blazing hits charred Santa Clara defenders, who could only watch as blinding white blurs came at them.
Willoughby's thundering performance on Friday night (35 kills with a .316 hitting percentage and 16 digs) and solid contribution on Saturday (match-high 16 kills and 8 digs) against Santa Clara earned her American Volleyball Coaches Association National Player of the Week honors.
Despite the performances, Willoughby was surprised by the recognition.
"When Charlie (Wade) first told me about it ... I was like 'yeah, right'," Willoughby said. "I'm Kim. I don't get that kind of stuff. I don't look at myself as being that type of volleyball player. It's unbelievable when it's true and it happens."My whole thing was that I was never even conference player of the week. So if I can't even make it as conference player of the week, I have no hope. I never even thought of it."
The 6-foot sophomore was finally recognized as the Western Athletic Conference player of the week as well. And the Honolulu Quarterback Club named her sports person of the month.
The Napoleonville, La., native leads the conference in hitting with 6.12 kills per game and is fourth in digs with 3.47 per game.
The sophomore has led Hawaii in hitting through the first 10 matches of the season and posted eight double-doubles this season.
Willoughby's 35 kills on Friday night broke the Wahine record for number of kills in a four-game match. The previous record was set by Diana Jessie with 30 kills in 1986 against UCLA.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
