DENVER Hawaiis Kim Willoughby has been named the Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Player of the Week. The honor is Willoughbys second of the season and sixth of her career, capturing the honor four times in 2001. The 2001 WAC Player of the Year was also named player of the week on Sept. 9.
The junior left side hitter had at least 20 kills in three of the Rainbow Wahines four wins, missing one match due to illness. The Napoleanville, La., native had 23-kill performances in two wins over regionally-ranked Notre Dame. She added 24 kills in a, 3-0, win over regionally-ranked Western Division foe Fresno State. For the week, Willoughby hit .329 with 70 kills and 35 digs in nine games. She increased her double-double total to 13 with two last week.
The All-American averaged 7.78 kpg, increasing her season average to 6.36 kpg. She also averaged 3.89 dig per game in the three matches, bringing her season average to 3.58. With the 70 kills, Willoughby moved into fourth place on Hawaiis all-time kill list with 1,508 kills. Willoughby is 71 kills away from 10th all-time in the WAC in total kills. With the wins, the Rainbow Wahine improve to 19-0 this season. Hawaii has lost only two games this season. The Rainbow Wahine have now won 42-straight games, a new school record.
Other nominees included: Kristen Fenton, Fresno State; Natalie Shipp, Louisiana Tech; Michelle More, Nevada; Rebeca Pazo, Rice and Jennifer Abbruzzese, UTEP.