The University of Hawaii received a big-time commitment on Monday when Kahuku defensive back Keala Santiago announced on Twitter he will stay home for college.
Santiago, who is 5-foot-11 and 187 pounds, was the Honolulu Star-Advertiser defensive player of the year as a senior for the undefeated state champion Red Raiders.
Santiago intercepted seven passes over the final four games of the season and was the quarterback on defense for a Kahuku team that allowed only 4.1 points per game.
He chose Hawaii over offers from Army, Colorado, Navy and UNLV.
’Bows move back up to No. 5 spot in AVCA
Two wins by Hawaii coupled with two losses by UC Irvine helped the Rainbow Warriors move up a spot in Monday’s AVCA Division I-II Men’s Top 15 volleyball poll.
Hawaii (6-1) went from No. 6 to No. 5 — the same spot the Warriors were on Jan. 11 — while UCI (2-4) plummeted from No. 4 into a tie at No. 9 with Penn State (4-2) following last week’s road losses at Pepperdine and Stanford. The top three remained the same, with UCLA (7-0) a unanimous No. 1 choice followed by Long Beach State (6-1) and BYU (4-2).
Defending national champion Loyola-Chicago (5-2) also moved up one place to No. 4. Rounding out the top 10 are Stanford (5-1), Ohio State (5-2), Pepperdine (4-1), UCI and Penn State.
Hawaii (1-1 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) continues its six-match homestand with UC San Diego (2-5, 0-4 MPSF) on Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. The Warriors then host No. 1 UCLA (4-0 MPSF) on Feb. 5 and 6 at 7 p.m.
HPU’s Garcia receives preseason honor
Hawaii Pacific pitcher Rico Garcia was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers of American Preseason All-West Region first team for his senior year.
Garcia, who is a Saint Louis alumnus, finished last season with a 6-4 record and a 2.18 ERA through 10 starts and had four complete games.
The Sharks open their 2016 season on Feb. 10, hosting Saint Leo (Fla.) University at Hans L’Orange Park at 6 p.m.
Lady Vulcans lose to Lancers
The Hawaii Hilo’s women’s basketball team fell short in its loss to sixth-ranked California Baptist 71-60 in Hilo.
The Lady Vulcans’ Kim Schmelz hit a jumper to tie the game, but the Lancers had an 8-0 run to seal the win.
Sydney Mercer led the offense finishing with 17 points in 25 minutes of play and Schmelz added 13 going 6-for-10 on field goals.
Hawaii Hilo dropped to 4-11, 4-6 PacWest while California Baptist improved to 18-1, 10-1.
Hawaii Hilo men fall to Cal Baptist
Hawaii Hilo’s men’s basketball (4-11, 4-7 PacWest) lost against California Baptist (17-4, 8-3) in front of its home crowd in Hilo.
Salim Gloyd finished with a double-double, scoring 28 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to lead the Vulcans’ offense.
Parker Farris added 19 points and had three assists for Hawaii Hilo in the loss.
