Perhaps appropriately for Hawaii's record-holder in doubles, Jessica Iwata received a dual dose of good news yesterday.

The Rainbow Wahine shortstop was named the Western Athletic Conference player of the year as UH swept the league's major awards.

The freshman from Kauai was also named to the USA Softball Women's Futures National Team, becoming the first UH player selected to a U.S. national team since 1993.

“;It's every softball player's dream to play at that level,”; Iwata said from Las Cruces, N.M., where UH opens WAC tournament play today. “;It's a matter of believing in myself that I can play with them.”;

Iwata enters today's game against San Jose State hitting .395 overall and .488 in league play. Her 20 doubles broke UH's single-season record and she also has 16 home runs.

“;It was nothing I expected, especially as a freshman,”; Iwata said of the WAC honor. “;But it feels great to make such an impact for our team.”;

Sophomore Stephanie Ricketts was named pitcher of the year and center fielder Kelly Majam was named freshman of the year. Bob Coolen was presented the coach of the year award after leading UH (41-12, 19-1) to its third regular-season title.

Ricketts went 13-0 with a 1.55 earned-run average in WAC play and is 22-6 overall. Majam hit .397 and slammed 10 of her league-record 25 home runs in league games.

Third baseman Melissa Gonzalez (.390, 11 home runs) and designated player Jenna Rodriguez (.386, 10 homers) were also named to the All-WAC first team. First baseman Amanda Taualii (.377, nine homers) made the second team.