Season suspended for Maui pro team

Na Koa Ikaika Maui, which plays in the independent North American Baseball League, has suspended its season after an opponent failed to arrive for a four-game series last week, team officials announced Wednesday.

The Lake County (Ill.) Fielders were scheduled to play the Maui team beginning last Wednesday at Iron Maehara Stadium. Lake County has been fined $100,000 by the league for the missed games and Maui has begun litigation to recover the costs.

Na Koa Ikaika was scheduled to play an 11-game series against Lake County in Zion, Ill., beginning Monday but " with these litigious matters in mind, we could not in good conscience continue the season by sending our team to Lake County," Maui team officials said on their website. "The League Board of Governors agreed, shortened the season for all teams, and are currently reviewing the entire sordid situation."

In its second season, Na Koa Ikaika was 29-40, last in the five-team North Division of the 10-team NABL. The Maui team had no more scheduled home games.

Team USA loses to Thailand

Thailand scored 35 points off U.S. errors to knock the Americans, with three starters from Hawaii, out of medal contention Wednesday at the World University Games, in Shenzhen, China.

Outside hitter Brad Lawson (‘Iolani) had 13 kills, setter Kawika Shoji (‘Iolani) had 40 assists and libero Erik Shoji (Punahou) three digs in the 25-15, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23 loss to Thailand. Hawaii’s Tri Bourne (Academy of the Pacific) and Riley McKibbin (Punahou) were substitutes.

After a 25-21, 25-13, 25-20 sweep of the United Arab Emirates Tuesday, the U.S. needed to beat Thailand (4-0) in the final pool-play match to move into the top eight. It now plays for a place between Nos. 9-16 and opens Friday against Japan.

Stanley tabbed ‘FIVB Hero’

Former Hawaii volleyball player Clay Stanley was one of 16 male players from 14 countries selected as an "FIVB Hero" during the recent FIVB World League.

A large banner with Stanley’s image was hung on the arena in Gdansk, Poland, where the final round was played. Stanley was named the men’s volleyball MVP at the 2008 Olympics, where he led the Americans to a gold medal.

The 33-year-old Stanley, a Kaiser graduate, is now preparing to help the Americans qualify for the 2012 Olympics. That begins Aug. 29 with the NORCECA Continental Championship in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

The top two teams qualify for the FIVB World Cup, Nov. 20-Dec. 4 in Japan. The top three finishers at World Cup qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

There will be 16 women’s indoor volleyball stars honored as FIVB Heroes during the Grand Prix final in Macau at the end of this month. Playing for Team USA with Hawaii ties are setter Lindsey Berg (Punahou), libero Tamari Miyashiro (Kalani) and middle Heather Bown, a former All-American for the Rainbow Wahine.