Honolulu, HI (August 23, 2012) – The Pacific West Conference's Media Office has released the 2012 Preseason All-PacWest Volleyball Team and the 2012 PacWest Volleyball Predicted Order of Finish. Hawai'i Pacific was picked to finish fifth out of the 14 team league by the PacWest coaches.  Sanoe Recca (left) and Chelsey Buyuan both made the preseason team.

The Sea Warriors went 15-10 overall and 10-6 in the league in 2011, good for a fifth place finish. Despite the growth of the conference to 14 teams, the PacWest coaches kept HPU at fifth. The Sea Warriors return Pihana Kea, Recca, and Haley Doerfler who each started all 25 matches last season.

Recca returns for her senior season at outside hitter, she had a breakout 2011 culminating with a selection to the All-PacWest Second Team. She recorded a team-high 263 kills (2.74 kills per set) and had 321 digs, or an average of 3.34 per set. She had 20 kills vs. Dixie State on 10-25-11 and posted 16 kills while hitting .325 vs. Sonoma State (9-2-11).

Buyuan, a junior, is looking to fill the void left at libero by former All-American Kyra Pelayo who has graduated. The Big Island product has played in 49 matches and totaled 296 digs in her Sea Warriors career.

HPU opens the season with the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Volleyball Challenge from August 31st to September 2nd. HPU starts the season on August 31st against Sonoma State at 7pm at St. Andrew's Priory.

2012 Preseason All-PacWest Volleyball Team

Shark Bites: HPU has hired Jenic Tumaneng as an assistant volleyball coach, he is the former head coach at 'Iolani and Farrington High Schools…Tumaneng has a record of 479-148 in the Hawai'i high school ranks…The practice competition is heating up; only four practices before opening day…HPU will play Chaminade University in a scrimmage on Tuesday.