University of Hawaii beach volleyball earns awards

The Hawaii beach volleyball team has swept 22 opponents 5-0 this season. On Thursday, the Rainbow Wahine (35-3) went 5-for-5 by sweeping the inaugural AVCA Top Flight Awards, with all five pairs recognized — just one of three programs so honored.

No. 3 Hawaii learned the news while preparing for the NCAA national championship tournament in Gulf Shores, Ala. The third-seeded SandBows put their 30-match winning streak on the line against sixth-seeded South Carolina (24-7) today at 7 a.m.

“I’m super proud of this accomplishment,” Hawaii coach Jeff Hall said in a telephone call. “It’s a testament to the hard work, talent and commitment to being great.

“I’m very happy for them.”

Heading the SandBows’ selections are the duo of Morgan Martin and Lea Monkhouse, who are a national-best 19-0 at Flight 2. All four of the other flights also rank in the top five nationally in win percentage: Emily Maglio-Ka‘iwi Schucht (25-1 at Flight 1), Carly Kan-Laurel Weaver (17-1 at Flight 3), Ari Homayun-Amy Ozee (32-6 at Flight 4) and Paige Dreeuws-Hannah Zalopany (24-6 at Flight 5).

The award program recognizes excellence across all flights. Pairs must compete in at least 15 matches together at a specific flight and win at least 75 percent of those matches.

Only Hawaii, top-seeded UCLA and fourth-seeded Florida State had all five flights recognized. Only Homayun-Ozee, who have won their last 24, and Dreeuws-Zalopany have played all their matches at the same flights. Martin and Monkhouse are 34-3 overall, 15-3 at Flight 3 and are on a 19-0 match winning streak. Maglio-Schucht, 34-4 overall, are 9-3 at Flight 2; and Kan-Weaver are 27-10 overall, 6-6 at Flight 1 and 4-3 at Flight 2.

Hawaii, which won its third consecutive Big West title Saturday, is expected to receive more awards today when the all-conference teams are announced. Maglio, Martin, Schucht and Weaver were first-team picks last season.