Manu-Olevao Named to All-Big West First Team

Hilo native Tai Manu-Olevao was named to the 2015 Big West Women’s Volleyball All-Conference First Team after a stellar senior season for the University of Hawai’i.

Manu-Olevao, earning her second All-Big West First Team selection, joined teammates Olivia Magill, Emily Maglio, and Big West Player of the Year Nikki Taylor on the first team. Sophomores Savanah Kahakai and Kalei Greeley received Honorable Mention recognition, and head coach Dave Shoji was named Coach of the Year.

On the season, Manu-Olevao tallied 237 kills, 166 digs, 16 aces, and 43 blocks. Her .227 hitting percentage is a career best. She is also second on the team with 13 solo blocks.

Hawai’i won the Big West Conference with a 16-0 league mark and 26-1 overall record. The Rainbow Wahine continue their season with a trip to the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament, facing TCU on Friday in the first round. A win would potentially pit UH against tenth-seeded Texas A&M on Saturday.

Friday’s match gets underway at 12:30 p.m. in Texas A&M’s Reed Arena. The match will be streamed on ESPN3, with a radio broadcast on AM 850 in Hilo and AM 790 in Kona.