Wahine setter Iosia earns her first Big West nod

BRUCE ASATO / SEPT. 8

Norene Iosia set the ball against Utah Valley at the Stan Sheriff Center earlier this month.

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The fifth time was the charm. Norene Iosia has been nominated for Freshman of the Week honors in the Big West every week, including the past four since taking over as the starting setter for the Rainbow Wahine the second week of the season.

It took for Hawaii to open conference play with two road victories for Iosia to earn her first career honor. Iosia had 93 assists, including a career-high 58 in the 3-1 win at Cal Poly, in helping the Rainbow Wahine (9-5, 2-0) successfully open defense of their league title last week.

In the sweep at UC Santa Barbara, Iosia had 35 assists, eight digs, two aces and a block as Hawaii had four players in double-digit kills and hit. .382. She added her team-leading sixth double-double at Cal Poly with 12 digs in addition to two blocks and an ace.

Iosia is tied for the Big West lead in assists per set with Cal Poly’s Taylor Nelson at 11.17, and ranks 29th nationally at 10.81 aps.

Also on Monday, Hawaii moved up a spot to No. 13 in the AVCA Coaches Top 25 poll, the highest ranking for the Rainbow Wahine since opening at No. 6 in August’s preseason poll.

Hawaii (9-4, 2-0 Big West) hosts Cal State Fullerton on Friday at 7 p.m. and UC Riverside on Sunday at 5 p.m.

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Defending national champion Nebraska (11-0) remained the unanimous No. 1, followed by Minnesota (10-1) and Wisconsin (10-1). Texas (10-2), Florida (12-1) and San Diego (11-2) all moved up a spot — the Longhorns to No. 4, the Gators to No. 5 and the Toreros to No. 6.

Washington (11-1), which defeated Hawaii in five sets earlier this month, dropped three places to No. 7 following its first loss of the season. The Huskies were upset by then-unranked Washington State, snapping UW’s 19-match home winning streak.

The Cougars (12-2), who won for the first time in Seattle in 15 seasons, also picked up a 3-2 win in Los Angeles over then-No. 9 UCLA. The two victories lifted WSU to No. 17 and dropped the Bruins (10-2) to No. 12.

Hawaii’s losses have come against Wisconsin, UCLA, Washington and Kansas State. The Wildcats (12-3) dropped out of this week’s poll, falling from No. 23 to receiving 33 votes, putting K-State at 29th after being swept at Baylor.