University of Hawaii outside hitter Emily Hartong and setter Mita Uiato were named to the AVCA All-West Region team and coach Dave Shoji was selected the Coach of the Year, the American Volleyball Coaches Association announced Tuesday.

Hartong, who earned her second all-region honor, was moved from middle to outside this year because "she had so much to contribute to the team offensively," Shoji said. "She was brand new to the position … and she responded."

Hartong led the Wahine (27-3), whose season ended Saturday in a five-set loss at Washington, with an average of 4.66 kills per set.

"I don’t think there’s a question that she’s among the top players in the country," Shoji said Tuesday. "(She was) physically overpowering at times. Just got better as the year went on."

Uiato also got better as the season went on, Shoji said.

"Any success that a hitter has is tied directly to the setter," he said. "There wasn’t any doubt that Mita was able to put hitters in good position all the time. She played her best matches at the end of the year, which allowed us to have success."

Shoji said Uiato worked hard to improve her blocking and defense. "That’s where she really improved her game. Now, she’s become a complete setter."

Uiato earned her first all-region selection after being named to the All-Big West team. She finished second in the conference in assists (10.43).

Hartong and Uiato are now eligible for All-America honors that will be announced next Wednesday.

Shoji was named region coach of the year for the 10th time. He has 1,103 victories in his 38th year at Hawaii and needs four more to pass Andy Banachowski and become the winningest coach in his sport.

"Any time a coach wins any kind of an award it’s because his team does very, very well," Shoji said. "Give the credit to the players."