BYUH forfeits
PacWest titleThe Seasiders used an
ineligible player and may not
get a chance to defend
their national crown
The Brigham Young-Hawaii volleyball team has forfeited all nine of its conference matches this season due to its use of an ineligible player, giving up its automatic spot in the NCAA Pacific Region that comes with the Pacific West Conference title, and possibly the chance to defend its national championship.
According to a source close to the situation, the Seasiders allowed Brazilian import Silvia Oliveira to play on the team without knowing she had enrolled at San Jose State but had not attended a class before transferring to BYUH.
"For our part, we took care of everything we could from our end, and we tried to find out as much information as possible," BYUH coach Wilfred Navalta said. "We would just like to have the opportunity to compete on the court, but you have to protect the integrity of the organization and its rules, even if you don't agree with the rules. It's too bad the players are the ones going to get hurt, they did nothing wrong."
Oliveira, who transferred from Western Nebraska Community College, missed the Seasiders' first seven games while earning her associate's degree, a requirement when transferring from a junior college to a four-year school. The program held her out of those games to ensure compliance and allowed her to play when it was satisfied she met all of the requirements for competition.
The school received a voice mail message from San Jose State coach Craig Choate this week, warning the Seasiders that they were using an ineligible player. Choate had been trying to contact the Seasiders since the beginning of the season.
The Seasiders were 19-2 this year and had clinched a spot in the regional tournament after their perfect record in 12 games with Oliveira. They can still get an at-large bid from the championship committee, but the automatic berth and conference title go to Hawaii Pacific, according to PacWest sports information director Travis Elam.
"We regret this situation and we are doing everything we can to cooperate with the NCAA regarding this unfortunate occurrence," BYUH athletic director Ken Wagner said. "BYU-Hawaii is committed to the NCAA and to following all NCAA rules and guidelines. We have spoken with Pacific West Conference commissioner Woody Hahn to inform him of the forfeitures."
The Seasiders are scheduled to play HPU tonight at 7:30 at Saint Andrew's Priory.
Hawaii Pacific coach Tita Ahuna is aware of the situation but refused to comment until hearing directly from Hahn, who was unavailable for comment.
