Kalmbach, Baxter are paddlers of the year

Kailua-Kona’s Jenny Kalmbach was named the Female Paddler of the Year and Maui’s Connor Baxter the Male Paddler of the Year at the national stand-up paddling awards Thursday in San Clemente, Calif.

Kalmbach will compete in the fourth Battle of the Paddle-California in Dana Point today.

Maui’s Dave Kalama and Slater Trout finished 2-3 in voting for top male, while University of Hawaii graduate Candice Appleby was second and Maui’s Talia Gangini third among women.

HPU sweeps Notre Dame de Namur

Hawaii Pacific spread kills among nine players to sweep Notre Dame de Namur 25-17, 25-19, 25-22 on Friday night at St. Andrew’s Priory.

Natasha Bell led the way with seven kills for the Sea Warriors (8-5, 3-1 PacWest), while Haley Doerfler, Sanoe Recca, Brittney Wood, Allison Bonk and Kuulei Zalopany all had six kills. Christin Villamayor led the Argos (1-12, 1-2) with 11 kills.

» Hillary Hurley had 27 kills, but the UH-Hilo volleyball team fell to Dixie State 25-14, 22-25, 25-18, 18-25, 15-13 on Friday night at Saint George, Utah.

Alex Shearer had 21 kills for the Red Storm (6-4, 1-1) and Brita Jensen added 18. Hurley took 72 swings and Patty Vine had 31 digs for the Vulcans (7-2, 32).