Wahine volleyball team hit by injuries

An injury to Stephanie Ferrell and offseason surgery for Aneli Cubi-Otineru has the Hawaii women's volleyball roster very thin at outside hitter for next Thursday's exhibition with Nebraska.

Ferrell, a freshman hitter, fractured her left ankle during practice Tuesday morning, an injury that required surgery later that day. She is out indefinitely.

Cubi-Otineru, a junior hitter, is still recuperating from surgery on her left knee. She said in January that she hoped to be ready for the spring match, but Rainbow Wahine coach Dave Shoji said yesterday Cubi-Otineru won't be available to play against the Huskers.

The losses leave Hawaii with just freshman Kanani Danielson on the outside. Shoji said he may ask Jamie Houston or Tara Hittle—two seniors who have used up their eligibility—to participate.

The match is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. General admission tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and $3 for students.

Report: Wie signs on with IMG

Michelle Wie signed with IMG, joining golfers Tiger Woods and Annika Sorenstam after splitting with the William Morris Agency, a person with knowledge of the agreement said.

Wie and her family agreed to the new representation, according to the person, who was granted anonymity because the negotiations are private.

The father of the 19-year-old sophomore at Stanford University, B.J. Wie, and Dave Haggith, a spokesman for Cleveland-based IMG, both declined comment on the IMG signing, which was first reported yesterday by Golfweek magazine.

UH blanks Utah in Spring Fling tourney

The Hawaii softball team needed just one hit to edge Utah 1-0 last night in the Chevron Spring Fling tournament at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

Hawaii freshman Stephanie Ricketts also limited the Utes to one hit and struck out four as the Rainbow Wahine improved to 10-13. The Wahine scored the game's lone run with two out in the bottom of the fourth inning when Audrey Andrade scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded. Andrade began the two-out rally with a walk followed by a single from Richie-Anne Titcomb.

Wahine pick up first MPSF victory

Kelly Mason and Carmen Eggens each scored three goals as the fourth-ranked Hawaii water polo team won its home opener yesterday, topping No. 5 Arizona State 11-5 at Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.

The Wahine (9-6, 1-3 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) snapped a two-match losing streak. The Sun Devils fell to 9-7 and 0-2.

Warriors tennis team falls to UCLA

Hawaii dropped a 6-1 men's tennis match to No. 9 UCLA yesterday in Los Angeles.

The lone Warriors victory came at No. 1 singles with Dennis Lajola, ranked 116th, upsetting Haythem Abid, 6-3, 7-6 (0). Abid, ranked No. 76, was coming off a victory over top-ranked Robert Farah of USC last week.

BYUH's Alves is region player of year

Brigham Young-Hawaii junior forward Lucas Alves, who helped the Seasiders to the PacWest men's basketball title, was named the Daktronics NCAA II West Region Player of the Year yesterday.

Alves led the conference in scoring (19.7 ppg) and blocks (34) while shooting 53.6 percent from the field. He was also the lone PWC player on the West Region first team, and is now eligible for All-America honors.

Named to the second team were Chaminade senior guard Joel Smith and Hawaii-Hilo senior forward Jay DeMaestri. DeMaestri led the conference in rebounding (9.3 rpg) and 3-point goals (93), and was second in scoring (18.3 ppg), while Smith was fourth in scoring (15.3 ppg).

The region is comprised of the Pacific West and Great Northwest conferences and the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

» BYUH's senior forward Latoya Wily was the lone PacWest player named to the West Region womens' team yesterday.

Wily earned first-team honors, finishing second nationally in rebounds (13.9 rpg) and third nationally in scoring (25.6 ppg) and field-goal percentage (59.5). She is also eligible for All-America honors.

Sea Warriors ranked 24th in softball

The Hawaii Pacific softball team earned its first national ranking of the season yesterday, debuting at No. 24 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll.

The Sea Warriors (15-3, 5-1 PacWest) host conference doubleheaders with Notre Dame de Namur tomorrow, Academy of Art on Sunday and No. 14 Dixie State on Monday.

HPU baseball team No. 6 in region poll

Hawaii Pacific moved up to No. 6 in the NCBWA West Region poll, the highest ranking for the Sea Warriors in two years.

HPU (15-3) opens PacWest play with today's doubleheader against Grand Canyon. The first game is at 4 p.m. at Hans L'Orange Park.

Vulcans blank Eagles in men's tennis

The Hawaii-Hilo men's tennis team dropped just three sets in a 9-0 rout of Northwestern (Minn.) College at the UHH courts yesterday.

Vulcans sophomore Stephen Royalty had a perfect outing, with a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 2 singles over Josh Fread and an 8-0 victory with No. 1 doubles partner Luiz Gonzaga over Fread and Jeremiah Schneck.