HONOLULU—The University of Hawai’i women’s volleyball team held its annual awards banquet on Sunday at the Japanese Cultural Center’s Generations Ballroom. The Rainbow Wahine celebrated its season and its seniors.
 
The Rainbow Wahine finished the regular season with a 21-8 overall record and a 14-4 mark which earned the team a No. 2 Seed in the upcoming inaugural Big West Championships.

For the second-straight season, senior middle blocker Amber Igiede earned three awards—”Most Valuable Player,” “Best Attacker” and “Best Blocker.” Igiede finished the regular season leading the team and conference with a .396 hitting percentage, 480.5 total points and 4.67 points per set. She also led UH with 389 kills, 3.74 kill/set, 24 block solos, 89 block assists and 113 total blocks averaging 1.09 blocks/set.

 

Senior Kennedi Evans was selected as the team’s “Most Improved Player” after playing solid in the middle, recording 173 total kills with a .300 hitting percentage while finishing second on the team with 81 total blocks.

 

Rookie Tali Hakas was named “Most Inspirational Player” after giving 110% at every practice and every day—no matter what. She finished the regular season with 115 kills 128 digs, 30 blocks and 10 assists and earned a Big West Freshman of the Week a week ago.

 

The team’s “Best Defender” award went to senior Riley Wagoner for her overall defensive prowess this season. She finished the regular season with 225 digs and 23 total kills and for her career, she has scooped up 876 digs and 137 blocks.

 

The “Coaches’ Award” was given to freshman Stella Adeyemi whose tireless work ethic, energy and effort every single day impressed the coaches.

After the awards presentation, the seniors–Chandler Cowell, Talia Edmonds, Kennedi Evans, Kendra Ham, Amber Igiede and Riley Wagoner–was recognized individually and said a few final words of gratitude with all their families and fans in the house. 

As the No. 2 Seed, Hawai’i will take on the winner of the Wednesday’s First Round match between No. 3 UC Davis and No. 6 UC Davis First Round. The ‘Bows open the tournament on Friday, Nov. 24th in the semifinals.

 

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