LBSU’s Crabb is AVCA player of the year

Long Beach State junior All-American Taylor Crabb, a 6-foot outside hitter, was named the AVCA National Player of the Year on Wednesday.

The 2010 Punahou School graduate became the third 49ers player to receive that top national honor and the first since Paul Lotman in 2008. The other was Brent Hilliard in 1992.

Crabb was ranked first in the nation in kills for seven straight weeks and finished the season with a team-best 502 kills. He is No. 3 nationally in kills per set (4.18), fourth in points per set (.4.71) and 10th in hitting percentage (.353).

Crabb was tied for second in digs (209) for the second-ranked 49ers, who finished 24-8 overall and lost in Saturday’s championship match of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament to No. 1 Brigham Young.

Eggens, Cole win top Big West honors

Hawaii’s Monika Eggens was named the Big West Conference water polo player of the year and coach Maureen Cole was picked as coach of the year on Wednesday.

Eggens led the conference in goals with 93 and set several Big West scoring records. Cole led the team to a 21-9 record and an upcoming appearance in the NCAA championship tournament, May 10-12 in Boston.

The Rainbow Wahine’s Amarens Genee made the Big West first team, Paula Chillida Esforzado was chosen to the second team, and Emily Carr was an honorable mention.