United Athletic Conference

Kanoe Kamana'o

Tara Hittle

Dave Shoji

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All-WAC Release.pdf

DENVER The Western Athletic Conference 2004 postseason award winners were announced today as selected by the leagues head coaches.

Hawaii setter Kanoe Kamana`o was named the WAC Player of the Year. The sophomore was the WAC and National Freshman of the Year last season. Hawaiis Tara Hittle is the fifth Rainbow Wahine to win Freshman of the Year honors, while Hawaiis Dave Shoji completed the Rainbow Wahine sweep, capturing Coach of the Year accolades.

Seven different schools were represented on the first team and nine overall. Second-seeded Rice led the way with four players named to the first team and added two more on the second team. Hawaii, the first seed in the WAC Tournament, had three players named to the first team and two to the second team. Third-seeded Nevada had one player on the first team, while placing two on the second.

For the ninth-straight year, Hawaii boasts the WAC Player of the Year. Kamana`o has been among the nations leaders in assists per game, averaging 13.88. The sophomore finished conference play leading the WAC in assists per game (13.93) as the only returning starter for the Rainbow Wahine. Rice had its lethal sister duo of Rebeca and Olaya Pazo named to the first team. Rebeca Pazo is a three-time first team selection, while Olaya Pazo is in her first season in the WAC.

Hawaiis Tara Hittle earned the schools fifth Freshman of the Year honor, averaging 3.17 kpg and 2.35 dpg. She was also one of six players named to the all-freshman team. Teammate Juliana Sanders was also named to the all-freshman team.

This is the fifth Coach of the Year honor for Dave Shoji, leading the Rainbow Wahine to a 23-0 record and a perfect 13-0 WAC record. Hawaii lost six starters including, All-Americans Kim Willoughby, Lily Kahumoku and Lauren Duggins. The Rainbow Wahine have not skipped a beat this season, rising to No. 2 in the country in the AVCA/CSTV Top 25 Poll.

The WAC Tournament will begin Friday, Nov. 19 in Reno, Nev. The first match will see Western Division champion and first-seeded Hawaii take on No. 8 SMU, followed by No. 4 Boise State against No. 5 Fresno State. In the second session, host school and third-seeded Nevada will battle No. 6 San Jose State, while Eastern Division Champion and No. 2 Rice will face No. 7 Tulsa.

First Team all-WAC
Individual, Team, Pos., Yr., Hometown (Previous School)
Alicia Arnott, Hawaii, LS/RS, So., Honolulu, Hawaii (La Pietra)
Cameron Flunder++, Boise State, MB, So., Kent, Wash. (Kent Lake)
Kristina Hoban, Rice, S, Jr,., San Diego, Calif. (Univsersity)
Beth Karasek++, SMU, OH, Sr., Caldwell, Texas (Caldwell)
Kanoe Kamana`o+, Hawaii, S, So., Honolulu, Hawaii (Iolani)
Tessa Kuykendall, Rice, MB, So., Brighton, Mich. (Mercy)
Rebeca Pazo$*+, Rice, OH, Sr., Carcas, Venezuela (Colegio San Agustin)
Olaya Pazo, Rice, RS, Jr., Carcas, Venezuela (Texas-Arlington)
Victoria Prince, Hawaii, M/RS, Jr., Kennewick, Wash. (Washington State)
Salaia Salave`a**+, Nevada, MB, Jr., Pago Pago, American Samoa (Leone)
Jessie Shull++, San Jose State, L, So., Downey, Calif. (Warren)
Joyce Silva, Tulsa, OH, So., Belo Horizonte, Brazil (Martin Methodist)

Second-Team all-WAC
Individual, Team, Pos., Yr., Hometwon (Previous School)
Tristin Adams++, Nevada, S, So., Fallon, Nev. (Churchill County)
Tiffany Bishop++, Fresno State, MB, Sr., St. Anne, Ill. (Momence)
Susie Boogaard, Hawaii, RS/LS, Jr., Bellflower, Calif. (Valley Christian)
Lindsey Carter, Rice, OH, Sr., Orlando, Fla. (Bishop Moore)
Rebecca Kainz**++, Rice, MB, Jr., Austin, Texas (Westlake),
Heather Malaschak, Boise State, MB, Sr., Boise, Idaho (Arkansas State)
Carrie Nash, San Jose State, OH, Sr., Kaytena, Ariz. (Glendale)
Joy Okpa, Louisiana Tech, MB, Sr., Abia State, Nigeria (Seward County CC),
Tuli Peters, Fresno State, OH, So., Laie, Hawaii (Kahuku)
Christianna Reneau, Fresno State, OH, Fr., Corona, Calif. (Corona)
Karly Sipherd, Nevada, MB, Fr., Applegate, Calif. (Capitol City)
Ashley Watanabe, Hawaii, L, Jr., Aiea, Oahu (Aiea)

All-Freshman
Individual, Team, Pos., Hometown (Previous School)
Teal Ericson, Nevada, OH, Homewood, Calif. (North Tahoe)
Tara Hittle, Hawaii, LS/RS, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Doherty)
Christianna Reneau, Fresno State, OH, Corona, Calif. (Corona)
Juliana Sanders, Hawaii, M, Kaneihem Oahu (Castle)
Jennifer Sentfleben, San Jose State , MB, Canyon Lake, Calif. (Temescal Canyon)
Karly Sipherd, Nevada, MB, Applegate, Calif. (Capitol City)

WAC Player of the Year: Kanoe Kamana`o, Hawaii
WAC Coach of the Year: Dave Shoji, Hawaii
WAC Freshman of the Year: Tara Hittle, Hawaii

$2001 First-team Selection
*2002 First-team Selection
**2002 Second-team Selection
+2003 First-team Selection
++2003 First-team Selection