DENVER – Hawai`i junior outside hitter Kanani Danielson has been named Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Player of the Week for the week of Sept. 6-12. This is the first WAC Player of the Week honor of the season and seventh of her career for Danielson.
The ‘Ewa Beach, O’ahu (Kamehameha Schools) native was named Most Outstanding Player of the Verizon Wireless Challenge as she led the Rainbow Wahine to the tournament championship with wins over San Diego State, UC Irvine and Saint Mary’s. Danielson hit .331 with 5.40 kills, 2.70 digs and 0.80 blocks per set over the three matches.
She opened the week by hitting .516 with 19 kills vs. San Diego State, then hit .429 with 15 kills vs. UC Irvine. She closed out the week with a double-double, posting 20 kills and 12 digs in the championship match vs. Saint Mary’s.
Danielson currently leads the WAC with 4.83 kills per set on .323 hitting this season.
Other nominees included: Alisha Young of Boise State was named MVP of the Cowgirl Classic after averaging 3.44 kills, 1.44 blocks, 0.78 digs and 0.56 service aces over the three matches … Fresno State’s Marissa Brand averaged 4.00 kills and 2.30 digs en route to all-tournament team honors at the Hilton Garden Inn Classic … Kelsey Taylor of Idaho hit .316 with 1.40 kills and 1.10 blocks per set last week … Louisiana Tech’s Jennifer Goodwin averaged 3.08 kills on .337 hitting and 3.17 digs as the Lady Techsters swept all four of their opponents at the Louisiana Tech Tournament last weekend … Janelle Batista of Nevada was named MVP of the Wolf Pack Invitational after averaging 3.05 points, 2.36 kills and 1.27 blocks … New Mexico State’s Ellen Miks averaged 5.91 digs and 0.64 assists per set last week … Hannah Blume of San Jose State averaged 3.33 kills and 2.80 digs as the Spartans went 3-1 last week ... Utah State’s Shay Sorensen was named MVP of the Montana Invitational after averaging 2.64 kills on .278 hitting and 1.18 blocks over the three matches.