Hilo, HPU tennis earn regional recognition

Hawaii Hilo men’s coach Tina McDermott and Hawaii Pacific women’s coach Lauren Conching on Thursday were named Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II West Region coaches of the year.

The Vulcans men are 17-2 this season, while the Sharks women are 19-2.

Both squads will compete in next week’s NCAA Division II Championships in Surprise, Ariz.

On the men’s side, McDermott’s husband, Sean, was named assistant coach of the year. Hilo’s Vaclav Slezak received the leadership and sportsmanship award and Alessandro Giuliato was named rookie of the year.

On the women’s side, HPU’s Lara Meccico was named most improved senior, Lena Lutzeier was senior player of the year and Hawaii Hilo took home the community service award.

Kinoshita named to PacWest first team

Hawaii Hilo junior Jared Kinoshita has been named to the All-PacWest men’s golf first team, the conference announced Thursday.

Kinoshita, of Bakersfield, Calif., finished fifth at last month’s PacWest Championships in Arizona. He had a season average of 74.12

Kinoshita was one of five golfers named to the first team.