HPU holds top seeds in tennis regional | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.

Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.

Get unlimited access

From as low as $12.95 /mo.

Subscribe Now

The NCAA Division II tennis committee announced on Tuesday that the Hawaii Pacific men’s and women’s teams were the top seeds in the West Regional.

For the men, HPU (15-4) will host fourth-seeded Sonoma State (9-6) in the West Region 1 championship match at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Kailua Racquet Club. The winner advances to the National Championships on May 21-24 in Altamonte Springs, Fla. The Sharks are ranked third the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings.

The ninth-ranked HPU women (13-5) will host fourth seed and No. 11 Academy of Art (14-5) in the West Region 1 championship match at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Kailua Racquet Club. The winner advances to the National Championships on May 22-25. It marks the 21st consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament for the HPU women.

Both matches are free to the public.

Jacobs-Kea leads PacWest softball honors

UH Hilo sophomore center fielder Rayla Jacobs-Kea was named the PacWest newcomer of the year as the conference handed out its softball awards on Tuesday.

Also named to the third team, Jacobs-Kea, a Kamehameha alumna and transfer from Midland College, hit .315 and led the Vulcans in stolen bases (12-for-13), hit two home runs, drove in 23 runs and did not make an error in 54 chances while playing in the field.

Hawaii Pacific pitcher Jordan Curry and outfielder Cienna Curran made the All-PacWest first team. Curry, a senior, went 19-9 with a 1.90 earned-run average. Curran hit .330 with two home runs and 17 RBIs.

UH Hilo shortstop Kiarra Lincoln (.333, five HRs, 34 RBIs) and HPU third baseman Sierra Dias (.371, seven triples) and outfielder Noel Saunders (.315, 28 RBIs) made the second team. Chaminade was represented on the all-conference team for the first time in six seasons as Malia Ka‘akimaka-Moisa (.240, four HRs, 18 RBIs) made the second team as a utility player.

Getting third team accolades were UH Hilo designated player Isabelle Mejia (.296, 12 doubles, 33 RBIs) and second baseman Brinell Kaleikini (.279, .451 on-base percentage) and Chaminade pitcher Madelyn Stockslager (11-15, 2.48 ERA, 106 strikeouts).