COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. » Honolulu Star-Advertiser sports writer Cindy Luis has been named as this year’s E. Douglas Boyden Media Recognition Award winner, USA Volleyball announced Wednesday.

The award recognizes media organizations and/or individuals who have supported volleyball on a continuing basis and who have significantly contributed to the growth of the sport.

Luis, who has spent nearly 35 years covering volleyball and other sports in Hawaii, first for the Star-Bulletin and then the Star-Advertiser, played an instrumental role in media coverage leading up to two 2014 USA Volleyball Cup matches in Honolulu between the U.S. Women’s National Team and Brazil, the top two teams in the world. It marked the first time USA Volleyball brought national-team-level matches to Hawaii since 1996.

"I am very humbled and honored to be selected for this award," said Luis, who is on assignment with the Hawaii women’s volleyball team in Europe. "I also am very fortunate to have worked since 1981 for Hawaii newspapers that have given the attention to the sport that it deserves. Hawaii has had a strong tradition of success in volleyball at all levels for decades and I’m very proud to have been able to share that with our readers."

Based on the success from last year’s matches in Hawaii, the U.S. Women’s National Team will return to Honolulu for this year’s USA Volleyball Cup matches. Team USA, ranked No. 1 in the world after winning the 2014 FIVB World Championship last October, will host No. 3 China on June 5-6 at the Stan Sheriff Center. China lost to the U.S. in the World Championship title match.

USA Volleyball officials will present Luis with her award during next month’s USA Volleyball Cup.

Luis also has been recognized for her work by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, Pacific West Conference, Women’s Sports Foundation, Hawaii Interscholastic Athletic Directors Association, Kalos Kagathos (international sports coverage), Hawaii Publishers Association, the Honolulu Quarterback Club and the International Surfing Museum. Her contributions to the annual Rainbow Wahine volleyball preview have helped lead to national and regional awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Society of Professional Journalists.