LAS VEGAS – The Western Athletic Conference 2010 volleyball postseason award winners, as selected by the league’s head coaches, were announced tonight at the WAC Volleyball Tournament banquet. For the 15th-straight year, Hawai‘i boasts the WAC Player of the Year, as junior outside hitter Kanani Danielson earned the honors for a second-straight year. Teammate Emily Hartong captured Freshman of the Year honors, while head coach Dave Shoji was named WAC Coach of the Year.
Six different schools were represented on the first team. Hawai’i, the No. 1 seed in the WAC Tournament, had five players named to the first team and one to the second team. Second-seeded New Mexico State had three players on the first team and one on the second team. Boise State, Idaho, Nevada and Utah State each had one first-team selection.
For the 15th-straight year, Hawai‘i boasts the WAC Player of the Year. Danielson ranks in the Top-10 nationally in kills per set, averaging 4.47. A junior, she was named WAC Player of the Week two times this season. She is a three-time first-team all-WAC honoree.
Hartong earned Freshman of the Year honors, the eighth Rainbow Wahine player to do so. She ranked second in the conference with a .365 hitting percentage in WAC matches. She was also honored as an All-Freshman Team selection and a second-team all-WAC pick.
Shoji led his team to its 15th-consecutive WAC regular-season title and an undefeated record in WAC play. This is the eighth WAC Coach of the Year honor of his career.
2010 WAC Volleyball Postseason Award Winners
First Team All-Conference
Lindsay Baldwin, Sr., MB, Nevada
Kelsey Brennan, Jr., MH, New Mexico State
Kanani Danielson, Jr., OH, Hawai‘i
Jennah DeVries, Jr., S, New Mexico State
Kayleigh Giddens, Sr., OH, New Mexico State
Brittany Hewitt, So., MB, Hawai‘i
Elizabeth Ka’aihue, Sr., L, Hawai‘i
Dani Mafua, Sr., S, Hawai‘i
Liz McArthur, Jr., OH, Utah State
Chanteal Satele, Jr., OH, Hawai‘i
Allison Walker, Fr., OH, Idaho
Alisha Young, Sr., MB, Boise State
Second Team All-Conference
Katie Astle, Sr., MB, Utah State
Marissa Brand, So., OH, Fresno State
Brianna Clarke, Jr., MB, Fresno State
Shantell Durrant, Sr., MB, Utah State
Erin Garvey, Jr., OH, Nevada
Kylie Harrington, Sr., OH, Nevada
Emily Hartong, Fr., MB, Hawai‘i
Sadie Maughan, Sr., MB, Boise State
Christine Morrill, Sr., L, Utah State
Breann Nesselhuf, Jr., S, Boise State
Kelsey Taylor, Sr., MB, Idaho
Whitney Woods, Sr., OH, New Mexico State
All-Freshman Team
Grace Anxo, OH, Nevada
Hanah Blume, OH, San Jose State
Rocio Gutierrez, OH, New Mexico State
Emily Hartong, MB, Hawai‘i
Michelle Waber, OH, Hawai‘i
Allison Walker, OH, Idaho
WAC Player of the Year: Kanani Danielson, Hawai‘i
WAC Freshman of the Year: Emily Hartong, Hawai‘i
WAC Coach of the Year: Dave Shoji, Hawai’i