GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM
University of Hawaii Warrior volleyball players Rado Parapunov and Gage Worsley celebrate a point against the Stanford Cardinal in a game Friday at the Stan Sheriff Center.
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Sophomore libero Gage Worsley has impressed all season, helping Hawaii win its first five matches and rise in the national poll to No. 2. On Monday, the Big West recognized that as well, naming Worsley as its defensive player of the week.
Worsley had a a combined 18 digs in last week’s two sweeps of then-No. 8 Stanford, with 11 on Friday and seven on Sunday. His efforts helped the Rainbow Warriors hold the Cardinal to .246 hitting in the two matches at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Worsley ranks seventh nationally in digs per set (2.44 dps).
Also honored by the Big West on Monday was UC Santa Barbara outside hitter Ryan Wilcox, earning his second straight freshman of the week award. The Punahou graduate hit a combined .500 in two sweeps of then-No. 3 Brigham Young.
Wilcox had a career-high four aces, including three in a row, in Friday’s sweep of the Cougars. He had a career-high 14 kills in Saturday’s straight-set win.
Also on Monday, undefeated Hawaii remained No. 2 in the AVCA Coaches Division I-II Top 15 men’s volleyball poll for a third straight week The Warriors (5-0), who have not dropped a set this season, were behind defending national champion Long Beach State. The 49ers (10-0) remained the unanimous No. 1, receiving all 16 first-place votes.
Five of the six Big West teams are ranked. Besides Long Beach State and Hawaii, UC Irvine (11-2) is at No. 3, UC Santa Barbara (9-3) is No. 6 and Cal State Northridge (6-5) No. 12.
Hawaii was scheduled to leave today for its first road trip, heading to Charlotte, N.C. The Warriors will play host Queens (2-7) on Thursday and Saturday and St. Francis (5-3) on Friday.