WAC says Kamana‘o still the top player

Hawaii has five players named to the preseason list

Domination of Western Athletic Conference women's volleyball is nothing new for Hawaii.

The Rainbow Wahine have won 107 consecutive WAC matches and 10 straight regular-season conference titles. With five starters returning, it was no surprise that the coaches again voted Hawaii the preseason favorite to repeat as league champion earlier this month.

The respect continued yesterday with five Wahine named to the 12-member Preseason All-WAC team, led by three-time All-American Kanoe Kamana'o, who was also named the Preseason Player of the Year. The senior setter, who was the conference POY the past two seasons, was joined by senior hitter Sarah Mason, junior middle Juliana Sanders, junior hitter Tara Hittle and sophomore hitter Jamie Houston.

Mason and Sanders were first-team All-WAC last year, while Hittle and Houston earned second-team honors. Hittle was also the 2004 WAC Freshman of the Year.

Wahine coach Dave Shoji, who could not vote for his own players, said he was not surprised by any of the choices.

"I think our players were selected, obviously, based on what they did last year," he said. "What everyone does this year remains to be seen. That's why I don't really care for the poll because I think players have to prove something before they get honored.

"I think I voted for all the (opposing players) who made it. I don't remember who I picked for Player of the Year, but I know New Mexico State is very high on their setter."

Senior setter Jackie Choi, a first-team conference selection last year, was one of four Aggies named to the preseason team. Also chosen from NMSU were sophomore middle Amber Simpson, the top WAC freshman of 2005; junior hitter Kim Oguh and senior middle Alice Borden.

Three of the remaining six WAC schools landed one player each. Rounding out the team were Boise State senior middle Cameron Flunder, San Jose State junior middle Jennifer Senftleben and Idaho sophomore hitter Haley Larsen.

Hawaii starts practice Aug. 9. The Rainbow Wahine open the season with Pepperdine, Aug. 25-26, at the Stan Sheriff Center.