PacWest VB Star Ready For Seasiders’ Aug. 30 HPU Match

BYU-Hawaii women’s volleyball standout Shih Ting (Stella) Chen may be three weeks from her senior season, but she’s already the most decorated player in the proud history of the Seasiders’ program.

Most recently, Chen, who plays outside hitter, was named 2013-14 Pacific West Conference Female Athlete of the Year by the league. A pool of players and PacWest sports information directors voted for the honor.

With a season of eligibility left, Chen already has been PacWest Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year three times. She was a Daktronics First Team All-American last December after making PacWest’s First Team All-Conference weeks earlier. (Teammate Ying Chun (Michelle) Chen made Second Team All-American.)

Stella Chen led the PacWest and rated second in the nation in kills (5.10) and points (5.69) per set in 2013. She also ranked seventh in service aces per set (0.94) and hitting percentage (.320) and helped guide the Seasiders to a 29-2 record as well as an appearance in the NCAA Division II National Championship match.

BYUH opens its volleyball season Aug. 30, playing Hawaii Pacific University in an exhibition match on Maui.

The Seasiders’ Pac West opener is Sept. 18 at home against Chaminade. The Cannon Activities Center home slate also includes games with Daemen Sept. 5, Florida Tech Sept. 6, Hawaii-Hilo Sept. 26, Dixie State Oct. 16, Cal Baptist Oct. 17, Point Loma Oct. 18, Holy Names Oct. 24, Fresno Pacific Oct. 25,

Notre Dame de Namur Oct. 31, Academy of Art Nov. 1 and HPU Nov. 13.

Schlag to coach women’s cross country

BYUH men’s cross country head coach Kevin Schlag will begin coaching the women’s cross country team, the school announced recently. He will take over for Norman Kaluhiokalani, who has stepped down “due to health concerns,” the college said. “Kaluhiokalani is expected to assist Schlag and will be on campus for some of his (faculty duties).”

Known around the Laie campus as “Coach K,” Kaluhiokalani established the cross-country program in the late 1970s. In addition to coaching that sport, Kaluhiokalani also has coached soccer and rugby and served as both an administrator and faculty member at BYUH.

“No one can ever fill Coach K’s shoes,” said Schlag, who led the BYUH men’s team to an NCAA West Regional berth last year. “He’s set the foundation for cross country here, so I am lucky to step in for him. This is a good recruiting class. We are excited to get out and run.”

jackster.1969@yahoo.com