HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team capped off its historic 2021-22 campaign with the return of the program's annual awards banquet at the Ala Moana Hotel.
 
Until the breakout of COVID-19, student-athletes, coaches, staff, and fans joined for the end of the year celebration handing out team awards and remembering the year that was; this year, though, the Rainbow Wahine had more to celebrate. The banquet served as another step towards normalcy after the pandemic and to recognize the accomplishments of a team that marked a first in program history by claiming both the Big West Conference regular-season and tournament championships.
 
The 'Bows finished the season at 20-10, after starting the season 0-3, but ran off an eight-game win streak to claim the two titles wrapping up their conference schedule at 13-3. All 14 players contributed to the team's success, but five were noticed for their outstanding efforts on Saturday.
 
Ah Chew Goo, Most Valuable Player - Graduate forward, Amy Atwell
Atwell's 2021-22 season was memorable, but it was equally historic as she turned in one of the best offensive campaigns in over 20 years at UH. Her conference-leading 17.8 points per game paved the way for being named the first-ever Rainbow Wahine to win the Big West Conference Player of the Year award. She joined two exclusive clubs, including the 1,000 point club along with the 1,000 points and 500 rebound club. Atwell solidified herself as the most prolific three-pointer shooter in program history, as she sits atop the record book in made three-pointers in a career (205), attempts in a career (539), and the most threes made in one season (76). In her sixth and final year with the program, Atwell recorded 13 games of 20 points or more and two games of 30 points or more. 
 
Academic Award – Graduate center, Kallin Spiller
Transferring to UH as an Ivy League graduate from Columbia, Spiller set the standard for academics for the 'Bows. Pursuing a master's degree in Marketing Management and planning to juggle multiple internships in the summer, Spiller's dedication to the court and the classroom is hard to match. 
 
Most Improved Player Award – Freshman center, Nnenna Orji
As a true freshman, Orji's impact was limited but showed flashes of what she could be in years to come. In her second season, as a freshman, due to the NCAA granting players an extra season due to COVID-19, Orji continues her growth. In 30 games, Orji started in 13 after not starting any the year before. Her 13 minutes a game jumped to 17, averaging five points and three rebounds. Orji also notched her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in a win against Eastern Illinois on Nov. 26.
 
Defensive Award – Sophomore guard, Ashley Thoms
Since joining the team in December as a transfer from Weber State, Thoms proved to be a difference-maker on both sides of the floor, but she stuck out as a defensive presence. As the conference schedule played out, Thoms started in nine games while coming off the bench in 13 others. She came out to guard the opposing team's best perimeter player or ball-handler in every situation. Her overall numbers don't stick out, but as a team, UH held opponents to 63 points, forced seven steals a game, and held a slight advantage in rebounding margin due to Thoms' defensive effort. 
 
Rookie of the Year Award – Freshman forward, Jacque David 
David was one of three true freshmen on the roster for the entire season, and her season was one of two halves. The first was bouncing back from nagging injuries, and the other was getting use to the level of play for a collegiate athlete. Her career started with an eight-point debuted at USC, followed by a slow performance against Portland. Then she went down due to injuries, returning in late December. David averaged four points and two rebounds a game while seeing action in 24 and starting in six. David featured a quick inside game with an element of physicality while showcasing range with her jumper from three-point territory. Making the sky the limit for her future career.