Danielson Wins All-American Honors … Again
By Fred Guzman
For the fourth time in her brilliant college volleyball career, Kanani Danielson was recognized as an All-American.
Although seemingly undersized as an outside hitter at 5-foot-11, the Rainbow Wahine’s senior captain earned the further distinction of being a first-team selection for a third time.
Also earning national honors for Hawaii was the versatile sophomore Emily Hartong, who was named to the second team.
Those two standouts played key roles in UH rolling to an outstanding record this season. The Wahine were ousted from the NCAA tournament last week, suffering a five-set loss to USC in the semifinals of the regionl semifinal.
Danielson was a star performncr from the moment she set foot on he UH campus following a sensational prep career at Kamehameha. The Wahine went 123-12 during her time at Manoa. Over that span, she averged four kills, 2.8 digs and 0.57 blocks, with a .297 hitting percentage.
Although used mostly in the middle during the past season, the 6-foot-2 Hartong played all three front-row positions for UH, ranking 25th nationally in hitting percentge at .369 in hitting percentage as were as ranking second on the team in aces (31) and blocks (95).
Brittany Hewitt, chosen to the second team last year when she led the country in blocking, is an honorable mention selection as a junior.