Shojis on U.S. national team roster

Three players with Hawaii ties, including both sons of Hawaii women’s volleyball coach Dave Shoji, were named to the 12-man U.S. national team roster that will compete this week in the FIVB World League opener in Wichita, Kan.

Selected to play against Argentina on Friday and Saturday are: setter Kawika Shoji (‘Iolani/Stanford), libero Erik Shoji (Punahou/Stanford) and former University of Hawaii middle blocker Matt Rawson.

Kawika Shoji has played on U.S. youth, junior and Pan American Cup teams and spent the winter leading his German team to the league championship. Erik Shoji, who also played in Germany last winter, has played on U.S. youth and junior teams along with the 2011 World University Games team.

Rawson has played at the Pan American Games and Pan American Cup and played last winter in France.

Two other players with Hawaii ties are in the remaining pool of 10 and could be used later in World League play: former UH libero Alfee Reft and outside hitter Brad Lawson (‘Iolani/Stanford).

UH volleyball recruit on All-America team

Hawaii men’s volleyball recruit Jennings Franciskovic is one of 10 players selected to the American Volleyball Coaches Association High School Senior All-America Team.

Franciskovic recently graduated from Oaks Christian High in Westlake Village, Calif. Last month, he had 30 kills, 11 digs, and six blocks in a five-set victory over rival Oak Park, snapping the Eagles’ 65-match league winning streak.

Although recruited as a setter, Franciskovic played primarily outside hitter his senior year. He is a two-time all-Tri-Valley first-team pick and was among Volleyball magazine’s Top 30 Underclassmen to Watch last year.

In addition to playing for the USA Volleyball Youth National A2 team, he was starting setter and captain for the Pacific Palisades Volleyball Club.

Corpuz shares lead in Phoenix Junior event

Honolulu’s Allisen Corpuz shares the lead after Tuesday’s opening round of the Ping Phoenix Junior.

The Punahou freshman fired a 2-under at Arizona State’s Karsten Course and is tied for first with Arizona’s Hannah O’Sullivan at the American Junior Golf Association major.

Mariel Galdiano, who also just finished her freshman year at Punahou, is tied for sixth after shooting 71. Galdiano won the girls state high school championship last month. ‘Iolani sophomore Rose Huang is 15th after a 78.

Wahine hoops team hires USC’s Delanian

Hawaii women’s basketball coach Laura Beeman announced the hiring of Alex Delanian as her new director of basketball operations this week.

She has prior experience with Delanian from her days assisting at USC, where Delanian was the DOBO for the past three years and video coordinator for two years before that. His new job will involve travel and practice preparation, among many other behind-the-scenes tasks.

"He brings a wealth of experience and he is one more staff member that truly cares about the well-being of all our student-athletes," Beeman said in a UH statement.

Delanian replaces Jennifer Yoza.

Golfers advance to Optimist tournament

Seventeen Hawaii junior golfers advanced to the Optimist International Junior Championship to be held in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., July 25-30.

The golfers advancing in various age divisions from Tuesday’s qualifier at the Turtle Bay Fazio Course are Kolbe Irei, Acey Yanagishita, Pono Yanagi, Ryan Chang, Desmond La‘akea Mello, Pj Samiere, Ryan Kalani Lloyd, Allysha Mae Mateo, Reese Guzman, Karissa Pi‘ilani Kilby, Lana Calibuso-Kwee, Annika Espino, Danielle Chieko, Hayama Ujimori, Zoey Akagi-Bustin, Kristin Le, Sydney Maluenda and Kimberlie Miyamoto.