UH’s Danielson wins Senior CLASS Award
University of Hawaii outside hitter Kanani Danielson has received the 2011 Lowes Senior CLASS Award for collegiate volleyball.
The acronym “CLASS” stands for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School. Danielson was selected for the national award by NCAA Division I collegiate coaches, media and fans.
Danielson, an AVCA first-team All-American, received the award Thursday during the first semifinal of the NCAA women’s final four in San Antonio.
She became just the third four-time AVCA All-America selection in program history, and sixth three-time first-team selection.
Danielson, a Kamehameha Schools alum, ranks fifth in school history in kills (1,760) and digs (1,233).
Punahou setter honored by Gatorade
Punahou setter Tayler Higgins has been selected the 2011-12 Gatorade Hawaii Girls Volleyball Player of the Year.
The 5-foot-9 junior led the Buffanblu to a 15-0 record and state Division I title this past season. Higgins was named the state tournament MVP after recording 95 assists, 16 digs and 11 kills in three matches.
Higgins was the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Player of the Year and was recently named the Star-Advertiser’s Player of the Year.
In addition to athletic excellence, the award recognizes outstanding academic achievement and exemplary character.
Higgins, who already has committed to Hawaii, has a 3.17 GPA, volunteered in the Punahou athletic office, and helped collect gifts and canned goods for needy families.
She now is a finalist for the national honor.
Billings beats HPU in women’s basketball
Bobbi Knudsen scored 17 points, including the go-ahead free throw with 29 seconds remaining, as Montana State-Billings beat Hawaii Pacific 72-69 in a women’s basketball game Thursday at Neal Blaisdell Arena.
Knudsen missed her first free-throw attempt, but hit the second to give the Yellowjackets a 70-69 lead. HPU committed a turnover on its next possession, and Billings’ Kalli Stanhope hit a pair from the line with 5 seconds left.
Mana Hopkins scored 21 points, Skye Savini added 14 and Mikela Thoemmes had 11 for HPU (5-4). Thoemmes had nine rebounds and Savini added eight for the Sea Warriors, who held a 42-32 rebounding advantage.
Quinn Peoples added 15 points and Stanhope had 11 for Billings (6-4).
Cycling-running event will be held Sunday
Pacific Velo cycling team hosts XmasX Cyclocross on Sunday at Sand Island State Recreation Area.
The event, which combines cycling with some running, begins with registration from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Racing in beginners and juniors starts at 10 a.m., followed by the advanced division at 11 a.m. and a free kids race (12-under) at 12:15 p.m.
The course is a 1-mile lap over dirt, gravel, grass and pavement, with several barriers that will require riders to dismount and carry their bikes over. The fees are $10 for junior and $20 for adults.
For information, call Maria Stewart at 561-7915 or email cxhawaii@gmail.com.