HONOLULU - University of Hawai'i men's volleyball player Joshua Walker was named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Molten Player of the Week after his stellar performance during the Warriors' opening weekend in the Outrigger Hotels Volleyball Invitational. The award is the first of his career.
 
Walker, a junior outside hitter from Virginia Beach, Va. (Tallwood HS) was voted the Most Valuable Player of the prestigious tournament after averaging 5.25 kills per set while hitting .466 over three matches, all against AVCA Top 10 teams. Walker's weekend efforts were highlighted by a match-high 24 kills (6.00 K/S) at .447 in a four-set upset over No. 1 USC to capture the tournament's championship game. He opened the season with a scorching 17 kills to help lead UH to a three-game sweep over No. 10 Ohio State and followed that performance with a team-high 22 kills in a thrilling five set loss to No. 5 Penn State. Walker also was second on the team in both digs (21) and service aces (3).
 
Cal State Northridge senior middle blocker Kevin McKniff was the other MPSF Molton Player of the Week selected after leading the Matadors to three wins. He averaged 3.75 kills while hitting .606 (45K-2E-71TA) and capped off the week with 15 kills (.538) and three blocks in the championship win over BYU. McKniff added 13 blocks and four aces over the 12 sets played.
 
The Warriors open their MPSF slate this Friday on the road at No. 3 Stanford (Jan. 15 and 16) and continue their roadtrip to face Pacific next week (Jan. 19 and 20) in Stockton, Calif. It will mark a return to UOP for head coach Charlie Wade who headed their women's volleyball program for the past three seasons.

                                                                                                                     -UH-