The University of Hawaii baseball team was picked to finish eighth in the Big West Conference Preseason Poll released Thursday.

Cal State Fullerton was picked by league coaches to win the nine-team conference.

Last season, the Rainbows finished 23-30 overall and 12-11 in the Big West. They open the season Feb. 17 against visiting N.C. State.

Oglivie named National Freshman of Year

‘Iolani’s Elena Oglivie was named the National Freshman of the Year by PrepVolleyball.com on Thursday.

Oglivie, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter, helped the Raiders to their first state volleyball title in 15 years last October. She was the Star-Advertiser’s Fab 15 Player of the Year, the first freshman to be so honored, and was named the state tournament’s Most Outstanding Player as well as the Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year for Hawaii.

In her first varsity season, Oglivie had 392 kills, 423 digs and 32 blocks as the Raiders finished 16-4. Unseeded ‘Iolani defeated Moanalua, then upset fourth-seeded Hilo, top-seeded Kahuku and second-seeded Kamehameha to win its second state championship, its first coming in 2001.

UH men’s golf team in 17th place

The University of Hawaii men’s golf team is in 17th place at 8-over-par 584 after Friday’s second round of the Amer Ari Invitational at the Waikoloa Kings’ Course.

Southern Cal leads at 541, one stroke better than Texas Tech. The Trojans’ Rico Hoey leads the tournament at 14-under 130.

Hawaii’s top golfer is Cameron Kaneko, who is tied for 36th at 142.

Hawaii-Hilo is 21st and last at 604. The Vulcans’ top golfer is Jared Kinoshita, who is tied for 61st at 145.