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HAWAI`I FALLS TO STANFORD IN NCAA FINAL FOUR - No. 2 Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine (34-2) fell to No. 3 Stanford (32-4) 25-30, 27-30 and 24-30 in the NCAA Tournament national semifinal at the New Orleans Arena.
All-American Kim Willoughby had a good match in her home state, knocking in a match-high 22 kills, 11 digs and four blocks. Fellow All-American Lily Kahumoku added 10 kills and 14 digs while, Melissa Villaroman continued their stellar play with 17 digs in the back row. Maja Gustin also came up big at the net with eight blocks and six kills.
Stanford opened up the match with three straight points before UH got the lead at 4-3 on the strength of a Willoughby's serve. The Cardinal then worked to open their biggest lead of the game at 15-11 for the media timeout. Stanford got the lead back to four at 25-21 but another 3-0 run by the Rainbow Wahine cut the difference to one at 25-24. The Cardinal took the first game 30-25.
Logan Tom opened up game two with a kill before UH went on a 4-1 run to go up 4-2. The game stayed tight with Stanford up 11-10 but a quick 4-0 run, capped by two big blocks by Gustin and Willoughby, put UH up 14-11. The Rainbow Wahine kept it rolling out of the break, pushing their lead to 17-12 before a big 4-1 run by the Cardinal cut the deficit to 19-17. Hawai`i again jumped out 26-24 but Stanford rattled off a 6-1 run to win the second game 30-27.
In game three, Hawai`i jumped out to leads of 2-0 and 7-3, forcing a Stanford timeout. Out of the timeout, the Cardinal would jump on a 4-0 run to tie the game at seven. The teams would go back and forth. The Rainbow Wahine would keep it tight, but a 7-1 run by Stanford ended the game at 30-24.
HAWAI`I DEFEATS NEBRASKA TO ADVANCE TO FINAL FOUR - Sixth-seeded Hawai`i (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 Hawai`i 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 Hawai`i 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 - Hawai`i's upset win over Nebraska broke several streaks for the Huskers. The tournament's 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. Hawai`i 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, Hawai`i (Most Outstanding Player)
Lily Kahumoku, Hawai`i
Lauren Duggins, Hawai`i
Laura Pilakowski, Nebraska
Greichaly Cepero, Nebraska
Amber Holmquist, Nebraska
THREE RAINBOW WAHINE EARN ALL-AMERICAN HONORS -Three Hawai`i volleyball players, Kim Willoughby, Lily Kahumoku and Lauren Duggins, were honored as AVCA All-Americans at the All-American banquet.
Kahumoku and Willoughby both recieved first team All-America honors, while Duggins was named to the third team. It was Duggins' first time on an All-American team while Kahumoku and Willoughby were both recieving their second awards. Kahumoku earned the honor in 2000, while Willoughby was named All-America in 2001.
Stanford outside hitter Logan Tom recieved Player of the Year honors.
COMMON OPPONENTS - Hawai`i shared opponents with all three Final Four schools. Hawai'i and Stanford, played six of the same opponents. The Cardinal were 8-0 against those opponents, while Hawai`i was 9-0. The Rainbow Wahine had three wins against San Jose State, two over Washington, to go along with wins over Saint Mary's, Houston, UCLA and Ohio State.
Hawai`i and Florida had two of the same opponents. The Gators were 2-0 with wins over Stanford and BYU, while UH defeated BYU and lost to the Cardinal.
The Rainbow Wahine and USC both had one loss against common opponents. UH was 5-1, while The Women of Troy were 7-1. Hawai`i had wins over Nebraska, BYU, two wins over Washington and a win over UCLA. Their only loss came against Stanford. SC's only loss also came against Stanford, 3-2, on Nov. 2.
UH 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 Hawai`i 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.
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, Hawai`i, 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.
HAWAI`I IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT - Hawai`i 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. Hawai`i has won the NCAA title three times: 1982, 1983 and 1987. The Rainbow Wahine finished second in 2000, 1998 and 1996. In 2001, Hawai`i 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.
HAWAI`I TAKES WAC TOURNAMENT TITLE - The No. 2 University of Hawai`i 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, Hawai`i
Jennifer Carey, Hawai`i
Rebeca Pazo, Rice
*Jill Couwenhoven, Nevada
Lindsey Rule, San Jose State
*Lauren Duggins, Hawai'i
Salaia Salavea, Nevada
Kristen Fenton, Fresno State
*Kim Willoughby, Hawai`i
Carrie Hartt, Fresno State
Laura Wooley, Nevada
MVP: Kim Willoughby, Hawai`i
*2001 Tournament Team
TOURNAMENT RECORDS TOPPLE - Several tournament records fell at the WAC Tournament. Tournament champion Hawai`i 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. Hawai`i 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 Hawai`i defense also held Louisiana Tech to a .065 hitting percentage.
FIVE EARN ALL-WEST REGION HONORS - The WAC placed five players on the 2002 American Volleyball Coaches Association's all-West Region. Two-time WAC Player of the Year Kim Willoughby led the way along with teammates Lily Kahumoku and Lauren Duggins. Fresno State's Kristen Fenton and Nevada's 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 - During the 2002 season, several single season records were broken.
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).
IMPROVEMENTS - Tulsa and Louisiana Tech had the WAC's biggest overall record improvements. The Golden Hurricane ended the 2001 season with an overall record of 11-14. This season, Tulsa was 20-13. The Lady Techsters finished their first season in the WAC 8-20 in 2001. One season later, Louisiana Tech ended the season 19-16. Fresno State also made an improvement, ending this season 23-7 and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. Last season, the Bulldogs ended the season 14-10.
NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS - WAC teams faced 22 teams that participated in the 2001 NCAA Tournament. Hawai`i 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. Hawai`i leads the way with a 6-1 record with wins over No. 9 Ohio State, No. 7 UCLA and No. 20 Colorado. Hawai`i 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, Hawai`i defeated No. 24 Utah.
HAWAI`I PASSES 100,000 IN ATTENDANCE - Hawai`i 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, Hawai`i ended the season drawing 104,222.
Hawai`i drew the two biggest crowds for the NCAA first and second round matches. Hawai'i 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 Hawai`i averaged 8,378. For the year, Hawai`i 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 St. 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 program's 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 women's 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.