HONOLULU – For the third time this season, University of Hawai'i freshman opposite Jonas Umlauft was selected as co-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Week after leading the Warriors in kills in a two-match split UC Santa Barbara over the weekend.

 

In addition, UH moved up one spot to No. 4 in the latest AVCA Division I-II Coaches Top 15 poll, which is tied for the highest of the season.

 

Umlauft, a native of Stadtbergen, Germany, averaged 7.17 kills per set while hitting .315 in the series. He posted match-highs in kills each night with 21 in a three-set loss on Friday and 22 in a straight set win on Saturday. In the loss, he also matched his career-high with five blocks and hit for a .386 clip in UH's regular season finale win.

 

Each week, the MPSF awards co-players of the week. So far this season, Umlauft has been recognized three times while outside hitter Joshua Walker is a two-time recipient.

 

Stanford sophomore libero Erik Shoji, son of UH women's head coach Dave Shoji and Punahou School graduate, was the other co-player of the wek. He picked up a total of 30 digs in 10 sets (3.00 D/S) over a two-match split, as the Cardinal earned a first regular season MPSF Title and No. 1 seed since 1997. He added five assists at UCI in the clinching win. Prior to both the UCLA and UCI matches, and unlikely to play in either, Shoji was hooked to an IV to combat severe dehydration and fever in battling the flu.

 

The Warriors earned the MPSF Tournament's fourth seed and will host fifth-seed Pepperdine, Saturday, April 24. First serve is 7:00 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. Tickets are on sale now at the SSC Box Office, through the phone sales line at 944-2697, and online. Ticket prices are $12 (lower level), $10 (upper-adults), $5 (upper-student, 4-HS), and $5 (upper-UH or Pepperdine students).