A new conference honor, an old ranking.
Hawaii sophomore opposite Rado Parapunov earned his first career conference honor on Monday when he was named co-player of the week by the Big West along with Cal State Northridge’s Arvis Greene.
Parapunov helped the Rainbow Warriors win twice at UC Santa Barbara, the first time Hawaii took the two-match series in Robertson Gym. He averaged 4.43 kills and 1.86 blocks per set, hitting .404.
The Bulgarian national had a combined 31 kills, three aces and 13 blocks in the two matches, including his first career double-double with 20 kills and a career-high 10 blocks on Saturday. His 10 blocks were the most by a Warrior since Taylor Averill’s 13 against UC San Diego in 2015.
Also on Monday, Hawaii (17-6, 5-3 Big West) remained No. 6 in the AVCA Coaches Top 15. The Warriors close out the regular season hosting No. 1 Long Beach State (23-0, 8-0) on Friday and Saturday at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Thomsen is Big West pitcher of the week
University of Hawaii senior Dana Thomsen earned her first career Big West softball pitcher of the week honor after tossing two consecutive shutouts against Cal Poly, the conference announced Monday.
Thomsen, a right-hander from Petaluma, Calif., pitched a four-hitter in a 1-0 triumph Friday and a three-hitter in a five-inning 11-0 victory Saturday.
Thomsen, who is 11-10 with a 2.95 ERA, has 15 complete games in 22 starts.
Tarbei, Carlson win Hapalua Half Marathon
Kenya’s Philip Tarbei won the male division and Kailua’s Polina Carlson took the female division Sunday at the Hapalua Half Marathon, which started in Waikiki.
Tarbei finished the 13.1-mile course in 1 hour, 4 minutes, 14 seconds. Carlson won in 1:18:09.
Daniel Chebii of Kenya finished second among the male runners in 1:04:39 and Pierce Murphy of the United States was third in 1:08:39. The top local male finisher was Lahaina’s Reid Hunter, who placed fourth in 1:12.25.
In the women’s division, Kailua’s Jill Thompson crossed second in 1:22:49 and Kailua-Kona’s Bree Wee was third in 1:23:32.