TAMPA BAY, Fla. – University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine volleyball outside hitters Kanani Danielson and Aneli Cubi-Otineru earned AVCA All-America honors Wednesday, with Danielson being named to the first team and Cubi-Otineru the third.

 

Danielson, the 2009 WAC Player of the Year, is averaging 4.25 kills, 2.30 digs and 0.65 blocks per set, hitting .327 on the season. She was named the Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Stanford Regional this past week, posting a 21-kill, 13-dig match in the regional semifinal vs. Illinois (Dec. 11). The sophomore had six 20-plus kill matches on the season, including a career-high 32 kills at Utah State (Nov. 16), also posting seven double-doubles. Danielson was a third All-America honoree in 2008.

 

Cubi-Otineru is averaging 3.08 kills and 2.53 digs per set, hitting .301 while leading the team with 56 service aces. The senior was named to the NCAA Tournament all-Stanford regional team this past week, posting 19 kills, 19 digs and five aces in the two matches. Cubi-Otineru had four double-doubles on the year, including a 22-kill, 11-dig performance at Utah State (Nov. 16), where she hit .462.

 

Senior middle Amber Kaufman and junior setter Dani Mafua also earned AVCA All-America honorable mention honors.

 

The third-ranked Rainbow Wahine face No. 1 Penn State tomorrow at 9 p.m. (4 p.m. HT) in the NCAA Championships national semifinal match.

 

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