76
STAR-ADVERTISER / 1996
UH’s Angelica Ljungquist spiked the ball in between two University of Texas players. Ljungqvist, the 1996 AVCA national player of the year, is set to join Robyn Ah Mow-Santos’ inaugural staff.
Two of the most decorated players in Hawaii women’s volleyball history will be reunited this coming season when Angelica Ljungqvist, the 1996 AVCA national player of the year, joins Robyn Ah Mow-Santos’ inaugural coaching staff.
Today’s announcement was one of two made today by University of Hawaii athletic director David Matlin. The other is that current head beach and indoor associate head coach Jeff Hall will move solely to the beach program as the new full-time coach.
In addition, current indoor assistant Kaleo Baxter will remain with the program.
Middle blocker Ljungqvist and setter Ah Mow-Santos were part of the last Rainbow Wahine team to reach the NCAA tournament championship match, losing to Stanford in 1996. In their final two seasons, the pair helped Hawaii to a 66-4 record.
“I am beyond excited that Angelica is returning to Hawaii as a member of my first staff!,” Ah Mow-Santos said in a statement. “She knows what it means to play for and represent the state of Hawaii, and what it feels like to put on a Rainbow Wahine jersey and play in front of our amazing fans.
“Ultimately Angelica will be a great role model for all our players.”
UH’s first four-time All-American, Ljungqvist — now using the traditional spelling of her Swedish surname — was inducted into the UH Sports Circle of Honor in 2005 along with Ah Mow-Santos. She also was Volleyball magazine’s national player of the year in 1996, recipient of the Honda Award as the country’s top female volleyball player, and received the top student-athlete awards from the Western Athletic Conference (Stan Bates Award) and Hawaii (Jack Bonham Award).
Hall is in Gulf Shores, Ala., where the fifth-seeded SandBows are preparing for the NCAA national championship that begins Friday. Hawaii won its second consecutive Big West Conference tournament championship Saturday.
“Jeff and his staff have done an outstanding job with our beach volleyball program,” Matlin said in a statement. “We are excited that he will be able to dedicate 100 percent of his efforts to this nationally competitive team.”
By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines.
Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.