DENVER The Western Athletic Conference volleyball coaches selected their 2003 preseason award winners. For the second-straight season Hawaii senior left-side hitter Kim Willoughby earned preseason Player of the Year honors.
Hawaii, which was picked to finish first in the WAC in 2003, led all schools with four players on the all-WAC preseason team. Fresno State, which was picked to finish second, placed two players. Eight of the 10 WAC schools placed at least one player on the preseason team with Boise State, Louisiana Tech, Nevada, Rice, San Jose State and UTEP each placing one.
Willoughby, a native of Napoleanville, La., has also earned the 2001 and 2002 WAC Player of the Year honors, as well also being named and a first-team all-WAC selection. She and teammates Lily Kahumoku and Lauren Duggins were also 2002 AVCA All-Americas. Willoughby led the WAC in kills (688) and kills per game (6.31).
Along with Willoughby, five other first-team all-WAC honorees return this season, including Hawaiis Lily Kahumoku and Lauren Duggins, Fresno States Carrie Hartt and Kristen Fenton and Rices Rebeca Pazo. Nevadas Salaia Salavea, Louisiana Techs Lia Mora and UTEPs Jennifer Abbruzzese are all second team all-WAC selections that were named preseason all-WAC.
The 2003 volleyball season begins Friday, August 22 when Hawaii plays in the NACWAA/State Farm Womens Volleyball Classic along with Florida, Kansas State and defending NCAA champion USC.
2003 WAC VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON AWARD WINNERS
Name School Pos. Yr.
Jennifer Abbruzzese UTEP OH Sr.
Lauren Duggins Hawaii M Sr.
Kristen Fenton FS OH Jr.
Maja Gustin Hawaii MB Sr.
Carrie Hartt FS MB Sr.
Lily Kahumoku Hawaii LS Sr.
Lia Mora LT S Jr.
Kimberly Noble SJSU OH Sr.
Rebeca Pazo Rice OH Jr.
Salaia Salavea Nevada MB So.
Kim Willoughby Hawaii LS Sr.
Kelsey Young BS OH Jr.
Preseason Player of the Year: Kim Willoughby, Hawaii