As Marcus Mariota, the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner, readies himself for the NFL Draft, another elite collegiate athlete from Hawaii readies himself for life at the professional level.

USC senior Micah Christenson, the reigning Lloy Ball Award winner as the top NCAA Division I-II men’s college setter, leads the fourth-seeded Trojans into the MPSF playoffs Saturday night hosting No. 5 seed Brigham Young at the Galen Center in the quarterfinals.

A four-year starter for the Trojans, the 2011 Kamehameha graduate will end his collegiate career in the next two weeks unless USC wins the MPSF tournament for the first time since Christenson’s freshman season.

During his time at USC, he’s racked up 4,005 career assists, 775 digs, 189 kills and 118 aces while hitting .300.

He’s one of three finalists again this year to win the award as the nation’s top setter and leads the MPSF with 0.43 aces per set. Christenson is also the only player in the country to rank in the top 12 in both assists per set (10.59) and digs per set (2.27).

All of that is trumped by an achievement even bigger that extends beyond college.

Two years ago, Christenson was named the starting setter on the U.S. Men’s National Team that won the NORCECA Continental Championships in Canada for the first time in 2007. He was named the best setter and best server in the tournament.

Last summer, he started at setter again and was the only collegian on the USA team that won the gold medal in the FIVB World League for the first time since 2008.

"It was a really cool process," Christenson said. "The greatest thing about it is I didn’t expect it all to happen so quickly. One of my goals was to be on (the national) team in the future and I was the last guy to get a chance.

"I came to the gym and shagged balls at first and kept score and then somebody went down with an injury and I stepped in and worked my way up from there. I wasn’t given anything. I had to earn everyone’s trust and earn my way into gaining their respect."

Team USA played into the fall and USC allowed Christenson to go back and forth and even turn in academic work online from overseas.

This spring, knowing what a bright future lies ahead, he’s been able to step back and enjoy his final year of collegiate volleyball.

USC got off to its first 7-0 start since 1991 and was 6-0 in league play for the first time in four years.

The Trojans have won a program-record seven matches that have gone five sets and played three straight five-set matches that went to extra points in the fifth for the first time.

USC split its two-match road trip to Honolulu back in February, both going five sets, and then beat BYU in five at home.

The Trojans were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the MPSF tournament last year in Provo, Utah, and now get a chance to play the Cougars again in their own home gym.

"I’m really excited, man, I can’t wait," Christenson said. "(BYU) is a good team. We always battle them every time we play them and I’m excited to get these guys."

If the Trojans get past BYU, Christenson won’t have much of a break when the season eventually does end.

U.S. Men’s National Team training begins in early May and Christenson will be in the middle of that when he graduates on May 15.

"It’s bittersweet for me because it’s been such an amazing experience coming to this university playing with all of the guys and coaches," Christenson said. "It’s bitter because these four years have been so special for me and it’s sweet because it’s exciting I can take another step in my life and move on to play professionally and being a professional athlete."

A player of Christenson’s caliber is a sought-after commodity in professional leagues overseas, but Christenson isn’t allowed to speak to clubs due to NCAA rules.

Most professional teams have already put together the majority of their rosters, making it difficult for Christenson to plan ahead. It has also allowed him to stay focused and enjoy the rest of his college career without the burden of planning a professional future.

"It does relieve a lot of stress because I was just about to focus on USC and school and Trojan volleyball," Christenson said. "I’m excited to move on and play professional and make money when it does get started, but I’ll always know I enjoyed every minute of playing here."

CAREER STATISTICS

NOTES

Park’s 244th hit sets UNC all-time record

Northern Colorado senior Jensen Park became the school’s all-time hits leader on Sunday.

Park, a 2011 ‘Iolani alumnus, doubled in the first inning to surpass Kevin Sandberg’s school record with his 244th hit.

Park hit .700 (7-for-10) in the doubleheader sweep of Utah Valley with four runs and three RBIs and upped his career total to 250 hits.

The Bears (12-21, 9-6) moved into sole possession of fourth place in the Western Athletic Conference after the two wins.

Park has played in 28 games this season and is hitting .411 (46-for-112) with eight doubles, three triples, two homers, 22 RBIs and eight stolen bases.

Northern Colorado is in its second year in the WAC after moving over from the Great West Conference. Park was the GWC player of the year in 2013 as a sophomore.

Nevada’s Meyer earns second MWC honor

Nevada senior outfielder Kewby Meyer was named the Mountain West Conference player of the week on Monday after leading the Wolf Pack to four road wins.

The 2011 Kamehameha graduate hit .600 (12-for-20) with two doubles, a triple, a home run and 12 RBIs.

Nevada won a nonconference game against San Francisco before sweeping San Diego State to improve to 31-9 overall and 16-5 in conference.

Meyer had at least two hits in each game and hit a three-run homer in the series finale Sunday against the Aztecs.

His 253 career hits are seventh in program history and he’s third all-time in doubles with 63.

Meyer is hitting .339 this season and leads the conference with 54 hits. He’s currently on a 12-game hitting streak.

This is the second MWC weekly honor for Meyer, who also won it as a sophomore in March 2013.

AROUND THE NATION

BASEBALL

» Rick Nomura, Punahou ’12: The Arkansas second baseman doubled, drew two walks and scored twice in a 9-8 win over previously No. 1 Texas A&M on Saturday. The Razorbacks went 2-1 against the Aggies, who were 34-3 entering the series and dropped to No. 3.

» Ka’ai Tom, Saint Louis ’12: The Kentucky outfielder hit the go-ahead two-run homer in a 5-3 win over Tennessee to complete a three-game sweep on Sunday and finished 4-for-11 in the series with five RBIs.

» Tim Arakawa, Moanalua ’11: The Oklahoma State second baseman finished 2-for-7 with five walks, two runs and two RBIs to help the Cowboys win two of three against Baylor and remain in first place in the Big 12.

» Turtle Kuhaulua, Kapaa ’14: The San Jose State freshman pitched the final six innings in relief to earn his first collegiate win, allowing four hits and two runs (one earned) with two walks and a career-high 11 strikeouts in a 7-5, 11-inning win over Washington State last Thursday.

» Mark Karaviotis, Maui ’13: The Oregon shortstop went 4-for-9 with two doubles, two walks, two runs and two RBIs as the Ducks lost two of three to No. 7 USC over the weekend.

» Christian Donahue, ‘Iolani ’14: The Oregon State second baseman went 4-for-11 with a stolen base to help the Beavers win two of three against Arizona over the weekend.

» K.J. Harrison, Punahou ’14: The Oregon State freshman went 1-for-2 with a walk, a run scored and three RBIs to help the Beavers close out the series with a 5-3 win over Arizona on Sunday.

» Kolten Yamaguchi, Konawaena ’11: The Pepperdine senior went 2-for-7 with a double, two walks, four runs and two RBIs to help the Waves win two of three against Saint Mary’s over the weekend.

» Beau Branton, Punahou ’14: The Stanford second baseman played in two of three games against Utah and went 3-for-9 with a double and three RBIs as the Cardinal went 2-1 in the series.

» Travis Garcia-Perreira, Mid-Pacific ’12: The Grand Canyon left-hander allowed two hits and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning of an 18-3 win over New Mexico State on Saturday.

» Tanner Nishioka, ‘Iolani ’13: The Pomona-Pitzer sophomore went 4-for-9 with three doubles, four walks and seven runs scored in a three-game sweep of Caltech.

» Tiras Koon, ‘Iolani ’11: The Willamette (Ore.) senior hit two homers and finished 5-for-12 with two walks and five RBIs in three losses to Whitworth (Wash.) over the weekend.

» Rolenn Himuro, Punahou ’11: The Willamette (Ore.) center fielder finished 5-for-12 with two doubles, a walk, two runs and three RBIs against Whitworth (Wash.).

» Eland Tsubata, ‘Iolani ’11: The Willamette (Ore.) left-hander pitched twice in the series and allowed one run on two hits in 21/3 innings with one walk and one strikeout.

» Troy Odo, ‘Iolani ’12: The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps right-hander earned the win in three innings of relief, allowing one run on three hits with two walks and no strikeouts in a 5-4 victory over Whittier (Calif.) on Saturday.

» Todd Takabuki, Moanalua ’11: The Austin (Tex.) College first baseman went 3-for-5 with a run on senior day in a 10-9 loss to University of Dallas on Monday and finished 7-for-14 with a double, a homer, four runs and an RBI in the three-game series.

» Raymond Pedrina, Campbell ’13: The Lewis & Clark State center fielder went 3-for-5 with two homers, including a grand slam, three runs and five RBIs in a 20-4 win over William Jessup on Thursday. Pedrina went 5-for-10 with a double, two triples, two walks, two stolen bases, five runs and four RBIs in a four-game sweep of Simpson University over the weekend.

» Chadwick Kaalekahi, Campbell ’12: The Lewis & Clark catcher went 2-for-4 with his first homer of the season and two RBIs against William Jessup and started two of the four games against Simpson, finishing 5-for-9 with two doubles and two walks.

» Austin Darmawan, ‘Iolani ’13: The Washington (Mo.) third baseman went 4-for-14 with a double, two runs, two RBIs and three stolen bases to help the Bears win two of three against the University of Chicago over the weekend.

WOMEN’S GOLF

» Taylor Viquelia, Kauai ’13: The Southern Utah sophomore shot a 9-over 81 on Tuesday after entering the final round with a three-shot lead at 4 under to finish in a tie for second place at 5-over 221 in the Big Sky Conference Championships.

» Hansol Koo, St. Francis ’14: The Portland State freshman closed with a 77 to finish in a tie for 27th place at 16 over in the Big Sky Conference Championships.

» Cassy Isagawa, Baldwin ’11: The Oregon senior shot a 70 on Tuesday to move into a tie for sixth place at 1-under 141 after two rounds of the Pac-12 Championships, helping the Ducks tie UCLA for the lead heading into Wednesday’s final round.

» Eimi Koga, Moanalua ’13: The Washington sophomore shot a 3-over 74 Tuesday and is in a tie for 19th place at 4 over at the Pac-12 Championships.

» Brittany Fan, Kamehameha ’14: The Colorado freshman followed up a 73 with a 75 on Tuesday and is in a tie for 25th place at 6 over at the Pac-12 Championships.

» Cyd Okino, Punahou ’11: The Washington senior shot a 77 after opening with a 74 and is tied for 35th place at 9 over at the Pac-12 Championships.

» Nani Yanagi, Waiakea ’12: The Washington State junior bounced back from an 84 to shoot a 76 on Tuesday and is in 53rd place at 18 over at the Pac-12 Championships.

» Kelli Oride, Kauai ’11: The Notre Dame senior completed her final conference tournament appearance on Saturday, finishing in a tie for 34th place at 8-over 224 after closing with consecutive rounds of 76 at the ACC Championships.

SAND VOLLEYBALL

» Mackenzie Feldman, Punahou ’14: The California freshman advanced to the semifinals of the Silver Bracket at the Pac-12 Invitational on Saturday. Seeded fifth in the tournament, Feldman and her partner beat the No. 4 seed in the quarterfinals before losing to the top seed. Feldman has won five of her past seven matches.

SOFTBALL

» Kacie Oshiro, Mililani ’13: The East Carolina right fielder went 2-for-5 with a double, triple and three RBIs in a 7-3 win over USF on Sunday and drove in five runs total in the series to help the Pirates win two of three.

» Kristi Belshe, Kalani ’11: The Texas Tech catcher went 5-for-12 with a double, four runs and four RBIs to help the Red Raiders sweep Oklahoma State over the weekend.

» Zoe Hernandez, Punahou ’14: The Cornell outfielder singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh inning of a 5-3 win over Columbia University on Sunday to clinch the series 3-1. Hernandez went 1-for-3 with two runs and an RBI in the game and scored four runs in the series.

» Kayla Shimoda, Punahou ’11: The Columbia University senior finished 3-for-9 with a double, a run and an RBI against Cornell.

» Destinee Chang, Kalani ’12: The Concordia (Ore.) second baseman singled, drew two walks, scored three runs and drove in a run in a doubleheader sweep of Northwest Christian on Friday.

WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD

» Sophie Curatilo, Moanalua ’11: The Seattle University senior broke a 39-year-old school record in the women’s 1,500-meter run with a time of 4 minutes, 28.60 seconds to finish in second place in her section and 23rd overall at the Mt. SAC Relays on Friday.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

» Jaylen Reyes, Kamehameha ’10: The Brigham Young libero combined for 14 digs and five assists in two wins over previous No. 1 Hawaii last weekend.

» Josh Taylor, Punahou ’11: The Pepperdine outside hitter had a match-high 15 kills, four digs, three block assists and an ace in a four-set loss to UC Santa Barbara on April 15. The Waves have a rematch with the Gauchos on Saturday as the No. 3 seed in the MPSF playoffs.

Compiled by the Star-Advertiser’s Billy Hull. To submit an athlete for publication, email bhull@staradvertiser.com.