Tai Manu-Olevao’s career blocking night Saturday not only helped Hawaii remain No. 1 in blocking nationally, it also helped the senior outside hitter to the first weekly honor of her career from the Big West.
The Punahou product had a career-high seven blocks, including a career-best two solo stuffs, in the four-set victory over UC Irvine at the Stan Sheriff Center. She also had a match-high 15 kills and added 11 digs for her second double-double of the season as the Rainbow Wahine (18-1, 8-0 Big West) extended their winning streak to 13.
The Hawaii co-captain also had 12 kills and hit .375 in Friday’s sweep of UC Davis. She is the fourth Rainbow Wahine to be named Player of the Week this season, joining junior hitter Nikki Taylor, who opened the year with three consecutive POW selections.
Senior middle Olivia Magill and sophomore libero Savanah Kahakai were named Defensive Player of the Week earlier this season. Magill, who had a combined 15 blocks in last week’s two matches, moved up to No. 2 nationally in blocking (1.69 bps), second only to Florida’s Rhamat Alhassan (1.92).
Sophomore middle Emily Maglio ranks 28th nationally in blocks (1.36 bps), helping Hawaii average 3.50. Taylor, who wasn’t cleared to play Saturday after a head injury Friday, is fourth nationally in points per set (5.49 pps).
Also Monday, Hawaii moved up two spots in the Ratings Percentage Index to No. 26. The RPI is used by the NCAA tournament selection committee to seed its top 16 teams and determine hosting duties for the first and second rounds.
The Rainbow Wahine also remained at No. 8 in the AVCA Coaches Top 25. Hawaii was leapfrogged by former No. 9 Kansas (18-0), the Jayhawks jumping to seventh.
The top five remained unchanged, with USC (20-0) a unanimous No. 1. Following the Women of Troy are Texas (16-1), Nebraska (16-2), Washington (17-1) and Penn State (17-2).
Ohio State (18-2) moved up a spot to No. 6. Rounding out the top 10 are Minnesota (15-3) and UCLA (15-3), the latter the only team to defeat Hawaii this season.
The Wahine have a bye week and return to the Stan Sheriff Center for their final home matches next Friday against UC Riverside and Sunday against Cal State Fullerton. Hawaii will play its last six regular-season matches on the road.
