TAMPA BAY, Fla. – University of Hawai'i head women's volleyball coach Dave Shoji was named the AVCA Division I National Coach of the Year, announced by the American Volleyball Coaches Association on Thursday afternoon at a luncheon in Tampa Bay, Fla.

 

Shoji was honored at a luncheon during the AVCA coaches convention prior to UH's match against Penn State in the national championships semifinal Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET. This is the second career honor for Shoji.

 

Shoji was named National Coach of the Year in 1982, and 27 years later, earned his second honor. Shoji has led the Rainbow Wahine to a 32-2 record this year and a No. 3 national ranking. The 1982 Coach of the Year honor was the first year the award was given out.

 

Earlier this season, Shoji became just the second head coach in Division I women's volleyball to reach the 1,000 win milestone. Shoji now has 1,016 career victories. The Rainbow Wahine have won 28-straight matches and this season marks the 18^th 30-plus win season for the program.

 

This is the ninth NCAA Championship Shoji has led the Rainbow Wahine to, and the 28^th NCAA Tournament appearance. UH has also made 25 NCAA Regional Appearances and return to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2003.

 

Shoji was named the AVCA All-West Region Coach of the Year for the fourth time last week and his 10^th overall regional Coach of the Year honor, and was named the conference Coach of the Year for the 10^th time.