WAC coaches choose
UH to finish second
in soccer

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Coming off its best season ever, the Hawaii soccer team has been picked to finish second in the Western Athletic Conference this year.

Southern Methodist was selected to repeat as league champion in the WAC Coaches' Preseason Poll.

The Mustangs, who have won two consecutive regular-season titles, received seven first-place votes and 63 points. UH and Rice placed second in the poll with one first-place vote apiece and 50 points.

Boise State and Fresno State got 38 points, followed by Tulsa, San Jose State, Texas-El Paso and Nevada.

The Wahine were 10-10 last season, 5-3 in the WAC. UH lost to SMU 2-0 in the WAC tournament championship match.

Hawaii returns seven starters, including first-team All-WAC selection ArleneDevitt.

UH opens the season Aug. 30 hosting Alabama at Birmingham. The WAC season starts for the Wahine Oct. 11 against Tulsa.

Carey's knee injury not serious

Hawaii volleyball player Jennifer Carey did not suffer serious damage to her left knee after injuring it while she was working out at home.

Carey underwent an MRI on her knee last Tuesday. The image revealed no major damage.

"Jen's fine. Her MRI came back and it was not a torn ACL," said Hawaii assistant coach Kari Anderson. "She's going to be doing a little bit of rehab and then she'll be right in the thick of things. She's got a deep bone bruise on her shin. It hurts her a little bit but she'll be fine."

Space still available for volleyball camp

There are a few spaces left in the Rainbow Wahine volleyball camp scheduled later this week. The camp begins Thursday and runs through Sunday at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Walk-up registration will be accepted. Campers will check in at noon on Thursday with sessions running from 1 p.m.-5 p.m daily. For more information contact Kari Anderson at 956-2496.

The Big Island to host WTAevent

The Sanex WTATour is returning to the Big Island for the fifth time in three years.

The Hilton Waikoloa Village will host the Big Island Championships for the second consecutive year, from Sept. 7-15.

Tour players will compete for $140,000 in prizes.

The preliminary field includes Barbara Schett, Elena Likhovtseva and Lisa Raymond.

Justine Henin, Sandrine Testud, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario and LisaRaymond all competed in last year's event, which was overshadowed by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Testud won the final.

Qualifying draws for singles and doubles will be played Sept. 7-8, followed by the main draws Sept. 9-15.

Several yachts on pace for record times

Two Guys On The Edge leads the entire fleet in the WestMarine Pacific Cup from San Francisco to Kaneohe.

The Waikiki Yacht Club entry is actually in second place in its division to Wildflower, though, considering the handicap rating.

Several other boats have a chance to break the record for fastest crossing.

Zephyrus V and Mari-Cha III are on course to challenge Roy Disney's record in Pywacket in 1998 of six days, 14 hours and 22 minutes.

Maui's Naughty Hotty and Pegasus 77, another Waikiki Yacht Club entry, are also making good time.