University of Hawai’i opposite Kainoa Wade has been named the AVCA Division I-II National Player of the Week. This recognition follows his performance during the Rainbow Warriors’ recent road trip to Pennsylvania, where the team secured three consecutive wins against Saint Francis and Penn State.
Wade, a sophomore from Kailua, O’ahu, received his first career national player of the week award on Monday. He was also named the Big West’s Offensive Player of the Week. Over the course of last week’s matches, Wade led his team with 44 kills (averaging 4.40 per set) and 55 points (averaging 5.55 per set).
This marks the 36th time in program history that a Rainbow Warrior has earned national player of the week honors. Last season, Kristian Titriyski received this award after leading Hawai’i to two victories over UC Irvine.
In addition to his offensive contributions, Wade led the team with seven aces (0.70 average), collected 19 digs (1.90 average), and posted eight blocks (0.80 average) across three matches. In their final match against Penn State, he matched his career-high with 21 kills while hitting .450, adding three aces, five digs, and four blocks.
Earlier in the series against Penn State, Wade recorded nine kills, three aces, five digs, and two blocks. Against Saint Francis at the start of the trip, he contributed a team-high 14 kills while hitting .545 along with one ace, a career-high nine digs, and two blocks.
The Rainbow Warriors will have a break before returning to action for two road matches at Stanford on February 13-14 in Stanford, California.
“Hawai’i has the week off and will next play a pair of road matches at Stanford, Feb. 13-14 in Stanford, Calif.”
