University of Hawai'i freshman hitter Jonas Umlauft was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association first-team All-America squad yesterday, a week after failing to make the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation first team.

Umlauft, a 6-foot-9 native of Germany, was joined on the first team by three players with Hawai'i ties — Kawika Shoji, Erik Shoji and Brad Lawson of Stanford.

Umlauft was named Newcomer of the Year.

UH hitter Joshua Walker and Brigham Young's Futi Tavana of Kaua'i were selected to the second team.

Kawika Shoji, a senior setter from 'Iolani, earned first-team honors for the second time. He was a second-team pick in 2008. Erik Shoji, a sophomore libero from Punahou, achieved first-team honors for the second consecutive year.

They are sons of Dave Shoji, UH women's volleyball coach.

Lawson, the MPSF Player of the Year, also is an 'Iolani alum.