Kono loses at U.S. Women’s Amateur

Honolulu’s Stephanie Kono, at 21 the oldest player left in the field of the 111th U.S. Women’s Amateur, lost to NCAA champion Austin Ernst, 5 and 4, Friday in the quarterfinals at Rhode Island Country Club.

Ernst was 2-up after eight straight pars. Birdies at Nos. 9 and 12 put her 4 up. On the next hole, Kono could not take advantage of Ernst’s only bogey, missing a short par putt after a brilliant shot out of the bunker. Ernst closed it out with par on the 14th.

Kono was playing in her 22nd USGA championship, including three U.S. Women’s Opens. The three-time UCLA All-American helped the Bruins to the NCAA team championship last spring.

Hawaii players lead U.S. in volleyball

With a trio of Hawaii starters, the U.S. men’s volleyball team swept its opening match at the World University Games on Friday in Shenzhen, China.

Team USA defeated Mexico, 25-17, 25-23, 25-15, in the Group D pool. Kawika Shoji started at setter and contributed 26 assists. Younger brother Erik added 20 digs as the libero and Brad Lawson collected four kills, two blocks and an ace.

All three were teammates at Stanford. Riley McKibbin (Honolulu) and Tri Bourne (Kailua), from USC, also played.

Podlewski joins UH volleyball staff

University of Hawaii men’s volleyball coach Charlie Wade announced Vernon Podlewski will serve as assistant coach for the Warriors.

The former UH libero and Maui native helped the Warriors as a volunteer coach last season, assisting the team with defense and passing.

Podlewski was a member of the 2001 squad that won the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation title and played for the U.S. National Team from 2003 to 2005. He ranks fifth on the school’s all-time dig average list at 2.16 per set.

In the past two years, Podlewski acted as the Mid-Pacific girls varsity head coach and led the Owls to a third-place finish in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu. His coaching stints also include the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and Parkland College.