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The University of Hawaii’s Destiny King scored a team-high 19 points on Tuesday, but it wasn’t enough as American Samoa suffered its first loss at the Pacific Games, falling to unbeaten Fiji 81-73 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
King also had a game-high 18 points in an 80-44 win on Sunday over the Solomon Islands and 13 in Monday’s 79-62 victory over New Caledonia.
America Samoa, which was 0-6 four years ago, finishes pool play 2-1 and advances to the playoffs Thursday against an opponent yet to be determined.
Shojis help U.S. win World League pool
With Kawika Shoji at setter and younger brother Erik at libero, the U.S. men’s national volleyball team won its FIVB World League pool, finishing pool play with a 3-1 win over host Poland in Krakow.
The 25-20, 25-21, 22-25, 25-23 victory gave the U.S. a 9-3 record in Pool B. Both the Americans and Poland (8-4) advance to the World League final round July 15-19 in Rio de Janeiro, where the winning team earns $1 million.
Kawika Shoji, an ‘Iolani graduate, had been used as a backup to Micah Christenson (Kamehameha) during the first 11 matches. Shoji finished with 29 assists, 13 digs, 3 kills and a block as U.S. coach John Speraw decided to switch up the lineup following a 3-2 loss to Poland on Friday.
Erik Shoji (Punahou) finished with a match-high 15 digs.
3 playing volleyball for American Samoa
Three players with Hawaii ties are playing volleyball for American Samoa at this month’s Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Former Rainbow Wahine Jane Croson and ex-Rainbow Gus Tuaniga were named to both the indoor and beach teams. Also playing indoor volleyball is Norene Iosia, a setter at Redondo Union (Calif.) High who has given her oral commitment to play for Hawaii in 2016.
5 UH Wahine in World University Games
Five current or former University of Hawaii female athletes are representing their respective countries at this month’s World University Games in Gqangju, South Korea.
The Rainbow Wahine track and field team has a trio competing for three different countries: current thrower Alex Porlier Langlois (Canada), former discus thrower TeRina Keenan (New Zealand) and former triple-jumper Madara Apine (Latvia).
Moanalua High product Eimi Koga, a junior transfer from the University of Washington, is competing in golf for the U.S. Taylor Molde, who completed her sophomore season with the Rainbow Wahine water polo team, is representing Canada.
Tinman triathlon entry deadline nears
Registration for the 35th Tinman triathlon, scheduled for July 26, is open through July 21.
The event is comprised of a 750-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike and 10-kilometer run. The race begins at 5:45 a.m. at Queen’s Beach with the bike ride from Kapiolani Park to Hawaii Kai and back and the run around Diamond Head finishing at Kapiolani Park.
The fees are $125 for individual and $155 for 3-person team. Entry forms are available at tinmanhawaii.com, with online registration available at active.com.
For information, call The Bike Shop at 596-0588 or the Tinman office at 202-1065.
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