SAN DIEGO -- Kim Willoughby, outside hitter for the University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine, was named to the AVCA's All-American First Team Wednesday morning.

The Napoleonville, La., native was one of only two sophomores named to the team and one of only four underclassmen. Willoughby averaged 7.20 kills per game and had 850 total kills on the year to lead the nation and break both the school and the conference's records. Those numbers also put her in fourth in NCAA history for kills and kills per game in a single season. She also broke the school record for digs per game in a single season, with 3.66.

"I think Kim is very deserving of this award," UH Head Coach Dave Shoji said. "She had a phenominal season and I think she is definitely one of the elite players in the game today.

Willoughby is now eligible to win the National Player of the Year award, which will be handed out on Friday, December 14, at the AVCA All-America/Player of the Year banquet at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina.

Willoughby For Player of the Year website

2001 AVCA Division I First Team All-America

Aury Cruz, University of Florida, So. OH
Dana Burkholder, University of Arizona, Sr. S
Tayyiba Haneef, Long Beach State University, Sr. OH
Amber Holmquist, University of Nebraska, Jr. MB
Angela Knopf, Colorado State University, Sr. MB
Sherisa Livingston, University of Wisconsin, Sr. MB
Nancy Metcalf, University of Nebraska, Sr. RS
Jenna Moscovic, Texas A&M University, Sr. S
Jill Talbot, University of Arizona, Sr. RS
Logan Tom, Stanford University, Jr. OH
Cheryl Weaver, Long Beach State University, Sr. MB
Kim Willoughby, University of Hawai`i, So. OH

Second Team

Greichaly Cepero, University of Nebraska, Jr. S
Lizzy Fitzgerald, University of Wisconsin, Sr. S
Stacey Gordon, The Ohio State University, Fr. OH
Erin Hartley, Michigan State University, Sr. OH
Benavia Jenkins, University of Florida, So. MB
Jennifer Joines, University of the Pacific, So. MB
Jenny Kropp, University of Nebraska, Sr. MB
Keri Nishimoto, Long Beach State University, Sr. S
Ogonna Nnamani, Stanford University, Fr. OH
Katie Olsovsky, University of Southern California, So. MB
Soraya Santos, Colorado State University, Sr. RS
Katie Wilkins, Pepperdine University, So. OH