COLORADO SPRINGS, CO The Western Athletic Conference placed five players on the 2003 American Volleyball Coaches Association's all-West Region. Hawaii head coach Dave Shoji was also named West Region Coach of the Year, while UH freshman Kanoe Kamana`o was named West Region Freshman of the Year.
Three-time WAC Player of the Year Kim Willoughby led the way along with teammates Lily Kahumoku and Kanoe Kamana`o. Fresno States Kristen Fenton was also named to the team. This was the Bulldog seniors second all-region honor. Rainbow Wahine senior Lauren Duggins earned honorable mention all-region honors. Kim Willoughby and Lily Kahumoku were both named all-West region for the third time.
Willoughby is currently third in the nation in kills per game, averaging 6.49 kpg. The All-American is also 18th in the nation in hitting percentage and 15th in service aces. Kamana`o is having a stellar freshman campaign. She is currently 14th in the nation, averaging 13.33 assists per game. Senior Kamuhoku was named MVP of the WAC Championship. The senior is fourth in the WAC, averaging 5.21 kpg.
Fenton was nationally ranked in kills per game all 13 weeks this season, including a current No. 20 ranking (5.21 kpg). In addition, Fenton was the fifth player in the nation to tally a 40-kill match this year with 41 against CS Northridge on Nov. 12 and the ninth player in Division I rally scoring history (since 2001) to reach the 40-kill plateau.
Shoji has propelled Hawai'i into the NCAA Region Semifinals for the sixth consecutive season with a 34-1 record, the school's 15th 30-win season. Hawai'i has matched last season's win total (34) with six returning starters and three AVCA All-Americans on the roster. The Rainbow Wahine have won 33 straight matches with their only blemish being a loss to USC in the second match of the season. Shoji was named AVCA All-Region Coach of the Year for the sixth time (1987, 1988, 1989, 1995, 1998, 2003).