No. 23 Hawaii places 5 on all-Big West volleyball team
The University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Nikki Taylor and Kalei Adolpho team up for a block against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Mustang Raeann Grieisen during a game on Saturday at Mott Gym. Hawai'i had 19.5 blocks for the night including 11 in the 3rd set. University of Hawai'i won the match 3-1 (25-20, 25-21, 25-18)
Hawaii had four players named to the first team and one on the all-freshman squad on the all-Big West volleyball team announced Monday.
Sophomore hitter Nikki Taylor was named to the first team for the second time in her career while senior middle Kalei Adolpho, junior middle Olivia Magill and junior hitter Tai Manu-Olevao picked first-team honors for the first time. Hitter Kalei Greeley was among the seven on the all-freshman team.
Big West champion Long Beach State swept the three top honors. Junir setter Jenelle Hudson was named Player of the Year, middle Ashley Murray Freshman of the Year and Brian Gimmilaro Coach of the Year.
It was the first time since 1994 that a Rainbow Wahine had not been selected the Player of the Year, either winning it outright or sharing the honor.
Also Monday, Hawaii moved up two spots to No. 23 in the AVCA Division I Coaches Top 25. Long Beach State, which defeated the Wahine twice in five sets this season, moved up a spot to No. 15.
Stanford, the top seed in the NCAA tournament, remained at No. 1 but no longer a unanimous pick. The Cardinal (29-1), losing to Washington last week, received 43 of the 60 first-place votes.
Wisconsin (28-2, 10 votes) stayed at No. 2, Washington (29-2, 5) moved up two spots to No. 3 and Penn State (30-3, 2) remained at No. 4.
