Posted on: Wednesday, December 28, 2005
HOMEGROWN REPORT
Aratani serves as Huskies’ specialist
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Ashley Aratani spent extra time working on her serves. It paid off as she helped Washington beat Nebraska for the national title.
University of Washington media relations
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LET US KNOW If you know of any athletes deserving of recognition, give us their names, high schools and graduation years, colleges and sports. E-mail us at: homegrown@honoluluadvertiser.com or contact Leila Wai at 535-2457. |
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Two weeks after winning a national championship with the University of Washington women's volleyball team, serving specialist Ashley Aratani is "still on a high."
"I wake up in the morning, and I'm like, 'I'm part of a national championship team!' " said Aratani, a 2004 Iolani graduate.
Aratani, a sophomore, played in all three games as Washington swept Nebraska, 30-26, 30-25, 30-26, on Dec. 17 in San Antonio, for its first national championship. She had four digs and a pivotal ace for the 28th point in game 3. All she remembers about the ace was that it had been a tight game; she didn't know what point she scored.
Aratani finished the season fifth on the team in aces with 24. She also had 27 digs.
"I come in for one of the middles to serve and play some defense," she said. "In the beginning I had some trouble because I changed my serve. I had been inconsistent, but it made me practice extra hard, because that is what I was put in to do. I guess it paid off. It made me feel better about the extra time in the gym."
MORE VOLLEYBALL
Loyola Marymount senior libero Michelle Look (Punahou '02) and Pepperdine sophomore middle blocker/outside hitter Lecca Roberts (Seabury Hall '04) were named to the West Coast Conference Fall All-Academic team. Look earned a 3.22 GPA in sociology and Roberts a 3.33 GPA as an undeclared major.
FOOTBALL
Colorado sophomore linebacker Jordon Dizon (Waimea '04) made four solo tackles and senior nose tackle Vaka Manupuna (Saint Louis '01) had two solo stops, including one for a loss of a yard, in yesterday's 19-10 loss to Clemson in the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, Fla.
Oregon State offensive guard Jeremy Perry (Kahuku '04) was named to The Sporting News Freshman All-America Team.
Perry was also chosen to the publication's Pacific-10 Conference All-Freshman team, along with free safety Al Afalava (Kahuku '05).
Portland State sophomore offensive guard Brennan Carvalho (Kamehameha '04 of Kapa'a) was named to the Don Hansen's Football Gazette All-America third team. He was also named to the publication's I-AA Northwest All-Region Team.
Montana Western sophomore kick returner Albert Distajo (Nanakuli) and sophomore offensive lineman Makana Mardonada (Saint Louis '04 of Kapa'a) were named to the Frontier Conference second team.
MEN'S SWIMMING
UC Irvine sophomore Randall Tom (Seabury Hall '04 of Wailuku) was named the Big West Athlete of the Week on Dec. 21 for his performance in a dual meet with UC Davis.
Tom set a school record in the 200 individual medley (1:50.57) and won the 200 breaststroke (2:04.03).
MEN'S WATER POLO
UCLA senior driver David Pietsch (Punahou '01 of Manoa) was named to the American Water Polo Coaches Association All-America second team. He led the Bruins in scoring with a career-best 39 goals.
MEN'S SOCCER
Southern Methodist senior forward Duke Hashimoto (Iolani '02 of Kapolei) was named his team's MVP by Soccer America, which selected the 11 players who had the biggest impact on their teams' success.
Santa Clara junior forward Keith DeVey (St. Anthony '02 of Kula) and Loyola Marymount sophomore defender Stephen Carlson (Punahou '04) were named to the West Coast Conference Fall All-Academic team.
DeVey earned a 3.71 GPA in communications and Carlson a 3.30 GPA in engineering.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Duke sophomore goalkeeper Allison Lipsher (Punahou '04 of Hawai'i Kai) was named to the Soccer Buzz All-Southeast Region second team.
Brigham Young senior midfielder Charlene Lui (Punahou '02 of Honolulu) was named to the Soccer Buzz All-West Region third team.
UC Santa Barbara junior forward Chandi Bickford (King Kekaulike '03 of Ha'iku) was named to the Big West Fall All-Academic Team. She is a psychology major.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Brigham Young junior guard Rashaun Broadus (Mililani '02) scored a career-high 21 points in a 91-80 loss to Utah State Friday.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Portland State senior guard Sharon Wahinekapu (Kalaheo '00 of Waimanalo) had nine points, four rebounds and two assists in a 68-56 win over South Alabama Dec. 19.
Columbia junior forward Becky Hogue (Punahou '03 of Kailua) scored 11 points in a 56-54 loss to Monmouth on Dec. 13.
California Lutheran junior guard Tiffiny Shim (Kamehameha '03) had four points and seven assists in her first start of the season in a 76-73 win over Hannibal-LaGrange on Dec. 19.
Freshman guard Cheryl Lee (Maryknoll '05) scored four points in her first start.
Lee scored 12 points in a 66-63 loss to Concordia (Irvine, Calif.) on Dec. 17. Concordia sophomore forward Ginger Gravelle (Iolani '04) played 12 minutes.
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.
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