3 Wahine
selected All-West

Perhaps in a few weeks, members of the Hawaii women's volleyball team will relish the individual awards coming their way this season.

But the latest honors for Rainbow Wahine players were an afterthought yesterday as the team embarked on the next leg of its NCAA tournament run.

"At this point we're thinking team, and I'm sure the girls pretty much don't care about it right now," UH head coach Dave Shoji said after learning that three UH players had been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-West Region team.

"It's nice, it's a good individual honor, but I think they're more proud of what they've accomplished as a team."

Hawaii sophomore setter Kanoe Kamana'o and junior middle blocker Victoria Prince were named to the all-region squad. Sophomore outside hitter Alicia Arnott was an honorable-mention selection.

All three are now eligible for the AVCA All-America teams.

Kamana'o, the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, was named to the all-region team for the second straight season. Prince and Arnott were also All-WAC first-team picks.

"I don't think it was just me who won the award," Kamana'o said. "It's a great honor to get that award and represent our team. But on the other hand, it's a team effort, and the coaches have a whole lot to do with this award."

The second-ranked Rainbows (30-0) left for Green Bay, Wis., last night, where they will play No. 22 Wisconsin (23-9) on Friday.

"Right now we're just focused on Wisconsin on Friday night, so we don't really let those things affect us," Prince said.

"(When the season's over) that's when you let your awards sink in. For right now you have to focus on playing each match."

Prince has been fighting a case of strep throat, but is expected to be ready to play on Friday. She practiced yesterday after sitting out Monday's workout.

"It's getting better," she said. "I'm feeling pretty good. I just have to make sure I take care of myself and get adequate rest and I should be fine."

Junior libero Ashley Watanabe will not have surgery on her injured right hand, Shoji said. She suffered a fracture in her ring finger before last week's regional match against Colorado and will be in a cast for four to six weeks. There was speculation that Watanabe might be available next week -- if UH were to advance -- if she had surgery. But it was decided rest would be the best remedy for Watanabe, who accompanied the team to Wisconsin.

"You have to let it heal," Shoji said. "If it was another sport you could maybe get away with it, but not in volleyball. You need your hands."