It’s not about the individual awards, the Hawaii men’s volleyball players all agree. It’s about the team rewards.
Saturday’s victory over No. 1 and previously undefeated Long Beach State was about as rewarding as it could get. It gave the Rainbow Warriors the all-important bye in this week’s Big West tournament at Long Beach State, keeping the Warriors out of the 49ers’ side of the bracket until a potential showdown with The Beach in Saturday’s championship.
Six of the Warriors who played pivotal roles in that win were recognized when the inaugural All-Big West teams were announced on Monday. Four were named to the 16-member first team: senior libero Tui Tuileta, junior setter Joe Worsley, junior hitter Stijn van Tilburg and sophomore middle Patrick Gasman.
Sophomore opposite Rado Parapunov, who picked up his second consecutive conference player of the week award on Monday, was awarded honorable mention. Defensive specialist Gage Worsley was one of seven on the all-freshman team.
“Stijn’s impressive in that he went from being an All-American at opposite last year to a new position and has basically the same (statistical) numbers,” Hawaii coach Charlie Wade said. “And if Joe Worsley isn’t the best setter in the country, he’s definitely the most fun to watch. Tui makes us a better team just with his presence.”
It was the second consecutive first-team honor for van Tilburg, who leads the Warriors with a 4.07 kills per set average that is fourth in the country. The Dutch national was on the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation first team last season while playing at opposite.
Joe Worsley, a part-time starter as a freshman and a reserve most of 2017, has helped Hawaii to a .346 hitting percentage, third in the country. The 6-footer is No. 2 nationally in assists (11.06) and averages 1.86 digs — second best on the team — and 0.53 blocks per set.
Tuileta, a second-team All-American last year, leads the team in digs with 2.33 dps, which is 17th nationally. The Punahou product has 10 double-figure dig matches, including six in the past seven contests.
Gasman, an MPSF all-freshman pick in 2017, is 10th in the country in blocks (1.15 bps). He averages 1.31 kills while hitting .426.
Parapunov also was an MPSF all-freshman selection last season. He is third on the team in kills (3.55 kps) and third in aces (17) and blocking (0.79 bps).
The Bulgarian national had a combined 39 kills, including the match-ender in Saturday’s marathon five-set victory, in earning the weekly honor. He had five kills without an error in seven swings in the deciding Set 5.
Gage Worsley, Joe’s younger brother, has played a key role as a serving and defensive specialist in all 25 matches. His eighth ace of the season gave Hawaii match point on Saturday night.
Long Beach State had two of the top three awards, with Alan Knipe named coach of the year and junior hitter TJ DeFalco player of the year. Freshman of the year went to UC Irvine hitter Joel Schneidmiller.
Also on the all-freshman team was UC San Diego hitter Wyatt Harrison, son of former Warriors volleyball player Todd Harrison, and a former player for Kapaa High.
Hawaii plays Friday at 2 p.m. against the winner of Thursday’s first-round match between UC Irvine (20-8, 6-4) and UC San Diego (9-18, 0-10). In Friday’s second semifinal, Long Beach State (24-1, 9-1) faces the winner of Thursday’s second first-round match between Cal State Northridge (15-10, 5-5) and UC Santa Barbara (11-12, 4-6).
