Kearney Award to Kaufman

Amber Kaufman, a two-sport All-American for the University of Hawaii, yesterday was named as the women’s recipient of the Western Athletic Conference Joe Kearney Award.

The award, named for the late WAC commissioner, goes to the top scholar-athletes in the conference. Boise State sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore was the male recipient.

"I’m very honored and touched by this," Kaufman told the Star-Advertiser. "This comes as a shock, but it’s really exciting."

As a middle blocker, Kaufman ranked fourth in the country in hitting percentage (.431) for the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team, helping UH to its first final four appearance since 2003. In March, she finished second in the high jump at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships and then won the event last month at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Kaufman has been selected to the U.S. under-23 national team that will compete at next week’s North American, Central American, Caribbean (NACAC Championships in Miramar, Fla.

Ferrell transfers to Florida

Former Hawaii women’s volleyball player Stephanie Ferrell officially signed with Florida yesterday.

The 6-foot-1 junior outside hitter was a second team all-Western Athletic Conference selection last season, ranking 10th in the WAC with 2.64 kps. She also was named to the NCAA All-Region team, helping the Rainbow Wahine earn their first berth in the final four since 2003.

Ferrell had asked for, and been granted, her release from the program in January. She did not participate in spring practices nor the match against Arizona.

Keanini to coach Silversword women

Former Roosevelt High girls’ basketball head coach Bobby Keanini has been named the new head women’s basketball coach at Chaminade.

Keanini succeeds Christina Apisa, who coached the Silverswords for three years and has left to spend more time with her family and complete her master’s degree.

Keanini coached Roosevelt from 1992-2007, leading the Rough Riders to seven state tournament appearances, including a Division II state championship and a Division I state runner-up.

Sea Warriors sign 2 in men’s hoops

Yuba (Calif.) College teammates Keenan Prince and Kyle Allen have signed to play basketball for Hawaii Pacific this coming season.

Prince, a 6-foot-1 junior guard, averaged 10 points, three assists, four rebounds and four steals per game for the 49ers last season. Allen, a 6-5 swingman, led the 49ers last season in scoring (14 ppg).

The Sea Warriors were 19-8 overall last season, 11-5 in finishing third in the PacWest under coach Tony Sellitto.

What’s coming up

» The Kailua Canoe Club is holding a tournament to raise funds for a new racing canoe July 30 at Hawaii Kai Golf Course. The first person to score a hole-in-one will win a new car from Windward Ford. Entry fee for the three-person best-ball event is $125 per person/$375.00 per three-person team (tax deductible). Register at www.kailuacanoeclub.com/golf or contact golf@kailuacanoeclub.com for more information.

» The 56th annual Maui Women’s Golf Invitational is scheduled for Aug. 7-8. The first round is at 7:30 a.m. at Kahili Golf Course and the second at Maui Country Club at 7 a.m.

The $130 entry fee includes green fees and carts for both days as well as prizes and the awards luncheon at Maui Country Club. The tournament is open to all women at least 18 years old who have a current GHIN handicap from a HSGA affiliated club. The deadline for entries is July 25 and the field is limited to the first 72 paid entries. For information, contact Helene Steiner at 808-575-7875 or Ann Bradley at 808-242-4157.

» The Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association’s 11th annual Scholarship Tournament, benefiting college students majoring in hotel management, is set for Aug. 19 at Pearl Country Club. Entry fees are $750/team of three, $250/player or $1,000/hole sponsor with one team. Deadline to submit player information is Aug. 6. Deadline for early bird pricing is today. For information and registration, contact the Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association at 923-0407.

For additional information, contact Dara Lum at 539-3491 or via e-mail at Dara.Lum@MWC-Anthology.com.