The Big West unveiled its 2023 All-Conference teams on November 21, spotlighting the remarkable achievements of six Rainbow Wahine volleyball players. Amber Igiede achieved an exceptional milestone, becoming just the third Rainbow Wahine to receive All-Big West First Team recognition for four seasons. Kennedi Evans and Kate Lang secured positions on the All-Big West Second Team, while Caylen Alexander and Paula Guersching earned honorable mention. Newcomer Tali Hakas showcased her promise by making the esteemed Big West All-Freshman Team.
Igiede, a four-year starter at middle blocker, led the league in hitting percentage (.396), kills per set (3.74), points (480.5) and points per set (4.62). She leads the team with 113 total blocks and 23 service aces as well. This year Igiede became just the fourth Rainbow Wahine in history to join the 1,000 kill/500 block club. Currently, she has 1,325 kills and 514 blocks. The multifaceted Igiede has become a dominant force in the middle over her career and this season she was the only UH player to record at least one kill, block and dig in all 29 matches.
Evans was a stand-out after transferring to UH last season. She has started every match and finished fourth on the team with 173 kills with a .300 overall hitting percentage with a 1.68 kill/set average. Overall she is second on the team with 81 total blocks.
Lang earned All-Big West honors for the third-straight season. She leads the league in both assists per set (10.48) and total assists (1,090). Lang leads UH with a team-high 12 double-doubles. She earned a league record eight Big West Setter of the Week awards this season.
For the second-straight season, Alexander earned All-Big West honors with a place on the honorable mention list. Alexander finished the regular season ranked second on the team with 267 kills and a 2.97 kills/set average. She has career season high averages of 2.97 kills/set, 2.12 digs per set and 43 total blocks.
Guersching putting down 125 kills to average 2.40 kills/set with a .265 hitting percentage. She leads the team in Big West play with 15 service aces (tied with Kendra Ham) and has 77 digs and 20 total blocks. Hakas finished the regular season putting down double-digit kills in three of the last four matches. Overall, she finished with 115 total kills, 128 digs and 30 blocks.
Up next for the Rainbow Wahine is the inaugural 2023 Outrigger Big West Women’s Volleyball Championship at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, November 22–25. UH earned the No. 2 seed and a first round bye. Their first match will be in the semifinals on November 24 against the winner of the Cal Poly/UC Davis match.
For more visit HawaiiAthletics.com.
