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12.16.ncaa.pdf
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HAWAII ADVANCES TO FINAL FOUR Hawaii returns to the NCAA Final Four after a one year absence. The Rainbow Wahine advanced to the Final Four in 2000, losing to top-seeded Nebraska, 3-1 in Richmond Va. in the semifinals.
This season, Hawai`i will have a re-match with second-seeded Stanford on Dec. 19. The Cardinal handed the Rainbow Wahine their only loss of the season on Nov. 10 in Honolulu. In the other semifinal match, top-seeded Southern California takes on fifth-seeded Florida. Stanford advances to the Final Four for the 14th time in the program's history.
TELEVISION COVERAGE ESPN2 will show the first semifinal live on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. (CT). The second semifinal will be televised Friday, Dec. 20 at 12:30 p.m. (CT). The championship match will be televised live on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 2:30 p.m. (CT).
HAWAII DEFEATS NEBRASKA TO ADVANCE TO FINAL FOUR Sixth-seeded Hawaii (34-1) defeated third-seeded Nebraska (31-2) 30-25, 25-30, 30-27 and 30-21 in front of a crowd of 4,357 in the NCAA Central Regional Finals, advancing to their seventh NCAA Final Four.
All-Americans Kim Willoughby and Lily Kahumoku led the way for UH with 25 kills apiece, while posting 13 and 16 digs, respectively. Lauren Duggins added 10 kills, seven digs and three blocks, while hitting .429. Margaret Vakasausau added a double-double with 32 assists and 10 digs, while Jennifer Carey had 28 assists and four blocks.
In the first game, the teams traded points before consecutive kills by Willoughby to put UH up 20-16. Nebraska got back within two at 20-18, but Hawaii kept rolling, pushing their lead to 23-18. UH would increase their lead to 28-21 and hold three match points before taking the first game 30-25. It was the first time this season Nebraska lost a game one at home this season.
In game two, the Cornhuskers jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead before a Nebraska hitting error capped a 4-1 UH run to tie the game at 6-6. Nebraska would build a 21-16 lead on a kill by Amber Holmquist. The Huskers would keep a five point lead for the rest of the way, taking the second game 30-25.
In game three, the Cornhuskers were up 19-17 but the Rainbow Wahine went on a 5-1 run on the strength of Duggins' serve to take a 22-20 lead, one they would never surrender.
Ilustre jump-started Hawaii in game four, helping the Rainbow Wahine to a 2-0 lead. UH kept their lead at 5-2 before a Nebraska run put them up 9-7. The Rainbow Wahine came back, scoring three straight points to go up 10-9. NU tied the game at 10 before a lay out dig by Ilustre and a big kill by Kahumoku capped a 5-0 run that gave UH a 15-10 lead. The deficit would stay around five before a big 5-0 run gave UH the fourth game at 30-21.
BEHIND THE WIN Hawaii's upset win over Nebraska broke several streaks for the Huskers. The tournaments No. 3 seed saw its 29-match winning streak come to an end. The loss was also Nebraska's first loss at home since a 3-2 setback to Kansas State on Sept. 22, 1999. It was their first home loss in 63 matches, the second longest home streak of all time. It was also just the Huskers' second loss in 39 postseason matches at the Coliseum. Hawaii prevented the Huskers from reaching their sixth Final Four in the last eight seasons.
The Rainbow Wahine and the Huskers split the six all-Central Regional team honors. WAC Player of the Year, Kim Willoughby, was named Most Outstanding Player of the Central Region. Willoughby earned regional team honors in 2001 as well.
All-Central Regional TeamKim Willoughby, Hawaii (Most Outstanding Player)
Lily Kahumoku, Hawaii
Lauren Duggins, Hawaii
Laura Pilakowski, Nebraska
Greichaly Cepero, Nebraska
Amber Holmquist, Nebraska
FINAL FOUR OPPONENTS Hawaii travels New Orleans for the NCAA Championships and will get a re-match with the Stanford Cardinal in the semifinal on Dec. 19. Southern California will face off with Florida in the other semifinal.
Stanford advanced to the Final Four by defeating 10th seed Arizona, 3-0. The defending national champion Cardinal have lost only one game this postseason. Stanford is led by All-American senior Logan Tom who was named Most Outstanding Player of the Pacific Region. Hawaii is 16-10 all-time against Stanford, but the Cardinal handed the Rainbow Wahine their only loss of the season, 3-0, on Nov. 10. Hawaii holds a 3-1 record against Stanford in the postseason. In 1996, the Cardinal defeated UH, 3-0, in the championship match. Hawaii defeated Stanford in the semifinals in 1982 and 1983. UH also stopped Stanford in 1987 to take its fourth national championship.
Southern California reaches the NCAA Final Four for the fifth time in program's history and first time since 2000. USC is the top-seeded team in the tournament and are ranked No. 1. USC defeated Pepperdine, 3-0, in the Regional Finals and Michigan State in the semifinals, 3-0. The Women of Troy have been solid this postseason not dropping a game in four matches. USC is led by West Region MVP April Ross. Hawaii holds a 16-10 all-time record over USC. The teams last met in 2001, where the Trojans defeated the Rainbow Wahine, 3-1.
Florida reaches its sixth NCAA Final Four appearance with a 3-0 win over Washington State in the Regional Finals and a 3-0 victory over Temple in the Regional Semifinals. Junior Aury Cruz was named the NCAA East Region MVP and was joined on the all-Region team by Nicole McCray and Michelle Chatman. Hawaii has an even record with Florida, 2-2. The Rainbow Wahine are 1-1 against the Gators in the post season. The last time that the team's met was in 1998 when the Gators took a 3-2 decision in the regional finals.
COMMON OPPONENTS Hawaii shares opponents with all three Final Four schools. Hawaii and Stanford, played six of the same opponents. The Cardinal are 8-0 against those opponents, while Hawaii is 9-0. The Rainbow Wahine have three wins against San Jose State, two over Washington, to go along with wins over Saint Mary's, Houston, UCLA and Ohio State.
Hawaii and Florida have two of the same opponents. The Gators are 2-0 with wins over Stanford and BYU, while UH defeated BYU and lost to the Cardinal.
The Rainbow Wahine and USC both have one loss against common opponents. UH is 5-1, while The Women of Troy are 7-1. Hawaii has wins over Nebraska, BYU, two wins over Washington and a win over UCLA. Their only loss came against Stanford. USC's only loss also came against Stanford, 3-2, on Nov. 2.
HAWAI`I ADVANCES IN NCAA TOURNAMENT; NEVADA AND FRESNO STATE FALL Hawai`i was the only WAC team to advance to the Regionals of the NCAA Tournament and faced North Carolina in the Regional Semifinals. Nevada and Fresno State's seasons ended after the first round of competition as the Wolf Pack fell to Pacific, 3-2, while the Bulldogs lost to No. 8 UC Santa Barbara, 3-1.
No. 2 Hawaii defeated Washington 30-26, 39-37 and 30-25 in front of a crowd of 6,496, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, at the Stan Sheriff Center.
UC Santa Barbara defeated Frenso State, 3-1, for the second time this season to advance to the NCAA second round after defeating the Bulldogs 30-20, 28-30, 30-21 and 30-26. Finishing with a 23-7 record, Fresno State's 12th-year head coach Lindy Vivas will remain one win shy of picking up her 300th career victory.
Nevada was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament, falling to Pacific 3-2 at Stanford . The Wolf Pack ended the year 22-10.
RAINBOW WAHINE STOP LADY TOPPERS IN FIRST ROUND Hawai`i defeated Western Kentucky 30-18, 30-25 and 30-21, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, in front of a crowd of 6,099 at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Lily Kahumoku led the team with 17 kills, eight digs and three blocks. Maja Gustin added nine kills, six blocks and a .562 hitting percentage while Kim Willoughby had 11 kills, four aces, seven digs and four blocks.
AGAINST THE FIELD The three WAC teams that participated in the 2002 NCAA Tournament had a 19-13 (.594) combined record against the tournament field coming into the tournament. Hawaii led the way with a record of 12-1 with the only loss coming against former No. 1 Stanford. The Rainbow Wahine's wins include Ohio State, Utah and a pair of wins over Fresno State, Notre Dame and Cal Poly. Nevada is 4-7, including three losses to Hawaii and losses to Fresno State, Pacific, Cincinnati and Washington State. The Wolf Pack's wins were against Colorado State, Fresno State and Sacramento State. Fresno State was 3-5 with losses to Nevada, Hawaii and UC Santa Barbara. The Bulldogs captured wins over Nevada, Sacramento State and San Diego.
THE WAC IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT WAC teams are a combined 112-86 (.566) in the NCAA Tournament since 1981. Current WAC teams are a combined 60-35 (.632) in tournament play. Four of the current league teams have competed in the tournament, including Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada and San Jose State. Since the WAC began the sponsorship of women's athletics in 1990, WAC teams are 20-13 (.606) in the NCAAs. Since 1990, the WAC has had at least two teams compete in the NCAA Tournament every year except 1999. The last two seasons, three teams have advanced to postseason. This is the most since six teams advanced in 1998.
HAWAII IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT Hawaii is one of the nation's most successful NCAA Tournament teams. The Rainbow Wahine are playing in their 21st tournament, missing only in 1992, and have compiled a 49-17 (.742) overall record. This is their seventh appearance as a WAC member, compiling a 18-6 (.750) mark. Hawaii has won the NCAA title three times: 1982, 1983 and 1987. The Rainbow Wahine finished second in 2000, 1998 and 1996. In 2001, Hawaii lost to UCLA in the Region Semifinals in Long Beach, Calif. The Rainbow Wahine defeated Washington State in the first round and Eastern Washington in the second round in Pullman, Wash.
HAWAII TAKES WAC TOURNAMENT TITLE The No. 2 University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine (28-1) defeated the Nevada Wolf Pack (21-8) 30-19, 30-32, 30-13 and 30-23 in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship match in front of a crowd of 1,023 at the Virginia Street Gym, winning their third straight WAC Tournament title. The win gives the Wahine the WAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Lauren Duggins had an outstanding match with 15 kills and seven blocks while hitting a tournament-record .789. Kim Willoughby earned the tournament's MVP with a match-high 26 kills, while Lily Kahumoku had 19 kills and 13 dig.
2002 WAC All-Tournament TeamWhitney Arena, Fresno State
Lily Kahumoku, Hawaii
Jennifer Carey, Hawaii
Rebeca Pazo, Rice
*Jill Couwenhoven, Nevada
Lindsey Rule, San Jose State
*Lauren Duggins, Hawai'i
Salaia Salavea, Nevada
Kristen Fenton, Fresno State
*Kim Willoughby, Hawaii
Carrie Hartt, Fresno State
Laura Wooley, Nevada
MVP: Kim Willoughby, Hawaii
*2001 Tournament Team
FIVE EARN ALL-WEST REGION HONORS The WAC placed five players on the 2002 American Volleyball Coaches Associations all-West Region. Two-time WAC Player of the Year Kim Willoughby led the way along with teammates Lily Kahumoku and Lauren Duggins. Fresno States Kristen Fenton and Nevadas Michelle More were also honored. The Bulldogs Java Johnson and Whitney Arena earned honorable mention honors.
Willoughby ranks in the top 10 nationally in both kills per game (6.25) and service aces per game (0.76), while also ranking in the top 30 in hitting percentage (.356). The junior was the only UH player on the all-Region and All-America team last season. Kahumoku was an all-Region and All-America team member in 2000. Duggins made the team for the first time in her collegiate career.
More a member of the first team for the first time was also named to the all-West Region team. More helped guide the Wolf Pack to a 22-10 mark and its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 2002. The three named to the West Region was the most ever by the Bulldog program. More, Fenton, Arena and Johnson were all first-team all-WAC honorees this season. This is the first appearance on the all-Region team for all four.
SINGLE-SEASON LEADERS This season, several single season records have been broken. Hawaii junior Kim Willoughby continues her record setting ways. She is tied for the record for aces per game with 0.71. The previous record was 0.71 held by San Diego State's Gracie Schutt (1990). Last year, she set the records for kills per game (7.20) and total kills 850.
UTEP's Sarah Davis took advantage of the new libero position setting the record for digs per game (5.34) and total digs (267) in WAC matches. The previous digs per game record was 4.65 dpg held by Wyoming's Jai Bruno (1991). SMU's Kristen Peterson, also a Libero, broke the record for digs per game in all matches. Peterson ended the season averaging 4.38 dpg, breaking the old record of 4.29 held by Fresno State Diana Nalbandian (1997).
TOURNAMENT RECORDS TOPPLE Several tournament records fell at the WAC Tournament. Tournament champion Hawaii was involved in all of the records. Junior Maja Gustin set the record for hitting percentage in a match, hitting .625 in a three-game win over San Jose State on Nov. 23. The previous record was .484 by Jessica Zehr of Wyoming in 1996.
In the Rainbow Wahine's match with Louisiana Tech, six records were broken. Hawaii set the record for team hitting percentage (.495) against the Lady Techsters on Nov. 22. Louisiana Tech had the fewest kills (27), attempts (92), digs (25) and blocks (2). The Hawaii defense also held Louisiana Tech to a .065 hitting percentage.
NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS WAC teams faced 22 teams that participated in the 2001 NCAA Tournament. Hawaii played the most (6), including San Diego State, UCLA, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Colorado and defending national champion Stanford. San Jose State faced four teams, including Stanford. Fresno State was next (3) along with Nevada (5), Rice (2), SMU (1) and UTEP (1). So far this season, the WAC is 99-56 (.639) against non conference opponents. So far this season, the WAC is 8-4 against teams ranked in the top 25. Hawaii leads the way with a 6-1 record with wins over No. 9 Ohio State, No. 7 UCLA and No. 20 Colorado. Hawaii fell to No. 4 Stanford at home on Nov. 10. Nevada upset then-No. 23 BYU and then No. 25 Colorado State. On. Nov. 27, Hawaii defeated No. 24 Utah.
HAWAII PASSES 100,000 IN ATTENDANCE Hawaii ended the season strong averaging over 7,000 fans a match. The Rainbow Wahine ended the regular season drawing 146,001 in 20 home matches this season. Last season, Hawaii ended the season drawing 104,222.
Hawaii drew the two biggest crowds for the NCAA first and second round matches. Hawaii drew 6,496 for its match against Washington on Dec. 7 in the second round. There were 6,099 for the Western Kentucky match on Dec. 6. The Rainbow Wahine are now averaging 7,309, which is the school's best average since the 1996 season when Hawaii averaged 8,378. For the year, Hawaii drew 156,596 fans.
Top 10 National Attendance
(including NCAA matches)
School Avg. MP Total1. Hawai'i 7,309 22 158,596
2. Nebraska 4,390 18 79.024
3. Wisconsin 3,527 17 59,958
4. Florida 2,369 19 45,005
5. Minnesota 2,333 20 46,668
6. Arizona 2,178 13 26,142
7. Penn State 2,122 18 38,193
8. Illinois St. 2,069 15 31,036
9. Stanford 1,999 18 35,984
10. LBSU 1,963 17 33,363
AROUND THE COURT News and notes from around the league: Fresno State had one of its most successful seasons in school history. Posting its ninth 20-win season and tying for the third-most wins in the programs history, head coach Lindy Vivas directed the Bulldogs to their sixth postseason appearance under her tutelage. She was also named WAC Coach of the Year for the third time overall ... Nevada made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament for the first time and its third appearance in five years. Head coach Devin Scruggs has led the Wolf Pack to all three of their NCAA Tournament appearances, 1998, 2001 and 2002. The 2002 team tied the school record for wins with its 22nd Nov. 30 over Southwest Missouri State. The 1998 team was the first to win 22 games going 22-8 following a first round loss in the NCAA Tournament. The 1998 team was the first Nevada womens team to post 20 or more wins in a season and the 2002 squad is the second ... Despite losing their final three matches of the 2002 season, Rice secured its 13th winning season in school history, finishing with an 18-16 overall record. Sophomore Rebeca Pazo rewrote the record books this season, finishing the year with 562 kills, the second-best single-season in Rice history. Her two-year career total now stands at 970, the 10th best mark in school history. In her final match of the year, the 2002 first team all-WAC selection hit .397, behind a career-best 35 kills and 73 swings. Her 35 kills is the second-best single-match ever at Rice. Her 1,373 attempts in 2002 is the third-most in a single season, while her 382 digs this year is the fourth-best single season mark.