The Erik Shoji Award will be the first national position-based award in college men’s volleyball history specifically for a libero. The naming of this award after a former standout college men’s volleyball player was done in effort to preserve and honor the sport’s history. 

While at Stanford, Shoji became the first libero in college men’s volleyball history to earn All-America honors in four consecutive years. He also continues to hold both NCAA records for single-season digs and career digs during the rally scoring era.

Along with his individual success, Shoji, as a sophomore, helped lead the Cardinal to the 2010 NCAA championship.

Passi garners honorable mention

Chaminade senior right-side hitter Keani Passi, the PacWest Newcomer of the Year, was named AVCA Division II All-America honorable mention on Tuesday.

The Pearl City High product helped the Silverswords to a 19-9 season and ranked 12th nationally in kills per set (4.29) and 19th in total kills (489), both marks program records in the rally-scoring era. She also had 15 double-doubles (kills-digs).

Passi, who played for Hawaii last season, was the AVCA Junior College Player of the Year and an AVCA First Team All-American at the College of Southern Idaho in 2012. She is the first Chaminade player to earn All-America distinction in volleyball.

‘Iolani’s Choy earns volleyball honor

‘Iolani’s Bailey Choy was named the Gatorade Hawaii Volleyball Player of the Year, the second Raider to earn the award. Former University of Hawaii standout Kanoe Kamana’o was the first.

The 5-foot-9 setter led ‘Iolani to the Division I state final this season. Following the season, she was named Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State Player of the Year, as well as the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Player of the Year.

She has signed a National Letter of Intent to play volleyball for Utah next fall.

Walsh runner-up in world longboard

Hawaii’s Crystal Walsh finished second in the 2015 Jeep World Longboard Championships, falling in the finals at Riyue Bay Wanning, Hainan, China. Rachael Tilly, a 17-year-old from California, was the champion.

This was Walsh’s best finish at the World Championships in five years of competition.

Ahina knocks off reigning world champion

Hawaii’s Nelson Ahina III upset reigning world champion Harley Ingleby in the quarterfinals of the World Longboard Championships.

Ahina trailed early, but a strong single-wave score of 9.07 gave him the lead. Ingleby was unable to come up with a score on his final wave, giving Ahina the win. Ahina advances to face two-time world champion Taylor Jensen.