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HPU duo earns All-Region honors
Hawaii Pacific netted two spots on the Daktronics Division II Soccer All-West Region teams released on Monday, as Brais Garcia and Erika Ellis were selected to the men’s and women’s second teams.
Garica’s two-year career at HPU was one of consistent success, as the Madrid native was selected to the All-PacWest Team and All-Region Team in both seasons. He ranks fifth in program history in single-season goals scored with 11 posted in 2013. Garcia followed that performance by finishing second in the PacWest with 10 goals this season to give him 21 in 35 career games at the school. In 2014, he was named conference Player of the Week twice and earned a spot on the Capital One All-District All-Academic Team.
Ellis had a breakout season in 2014. After scoring four combined goals in her first two seasons, the junior scored a program-best 12 goals in 2014.
Ellis’ hat trick vs. Dominican earned her PacWest Player of the Week honors in October. The forward finished tied for first in the PacWest in goals scored and led the league in points per game (1.59). She also racked up three assists on her way to being named to the All-PacWest First Team.
Estrella appointed UH Hilo interim A.D.
University of Hawaii Hilo chancellor Donald O. Straney announced Monday that former Vulcans baseball coach Joey Estrella will assume the position of interim athletic director on Jan. 1 and that the search for a permanent athletic director will begin later that month.
"Now more than ever, successful intercollegiate athletic programs and a solid community partnership go hand-in-hand," Straney said in a statement. "With this appointment and the selection of a new A.D., strengthening that relationship between Vulcan Athletics and the community will be job one."
Estrella headed the Vulcans baseball program that he founded for 37 years. From 1980 to 1989, he served as both baseball coach and athletic director. Estrella replaces Tim Moore, whose appointment as interim athletic director ends on Dec. 31. The new permanent athletic director will succeed Dexter Irvin, who resigned at the end of 2013.