[ WAHINE VOLLEYBALL ]
Wahine already
scooping up awardsHawaii puts four players
on the WAC's preseason awards list
Hawaii's dominance of the Western Athletic Conference isn't limited to the matches won on the volleyball court. The Rainbow Wahine dominate when awards are being handed out, too, with four players selected for the preseason WAC awards.
Senior Kim Willoughby was chosen the preseason player of the year for the second consecutive year. The outside hitter from Napoleonville, La., has won all of the WAC's top honors. In the spring, she received the Joe Kearney award, given annually to the top athlete in the conference.
Joining Willoughby on the preseason All-WAC list are All-Americans Lily Kahumoku and Lauren Duggins. Senior middle blocker Maja Gustin was also chosen for the team.
Duggins and Kahumoku were voted to the first team last year. Gustin was the co-freshman of the year in 2000 and the preseason player of the year in 2001. An injury last year kept her out of most of the conference action.
Earlier this month, Hawaii was tabbed the coaches' favorite to repeat as WAC champion. The Wahine have won or shared the last seven WAC titles.
The Rainbow Wahine start practice Aug. 9. Hawaii hosts the season-opening NACWAA /State Farm Women's Volleyball Classic, with Florida, defending national champion USC and Kansas State visiting. The Wahine take on the Wildcats at 5 p.m. on Aug. 22.
Preseason All-WAC
Name School Pos. Yr. Jennifer Abbruzzese UTEP OH Sr. Lauren Duggins Hawaii M Sr. Kristen Fenton Fresno OH Jr. Maja Gustin Hawaii MB Sr. Carrie Hartt Fresno MB Sr. Lily Kahumoku Hawaii LS Sr. Lia Mora Louisiana Tech S Jr. Kimberly Noble San Jose St. OH Sr. Rebeca Pazo Rice OH Jr. Salaia Salavea Nevada MB So. Kim Willoughby Hawaii LS Sr. Kelsey Young Boise OH Jr.
