University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa women’s beach volleyball standout Kaylee Glagau was announced as one of the Big West Conference’s two nominees for the 2023–24 NCAA Woman of the Year award. Glagau and Long Beach State’s Katie Kennedy (indoor volleyball) were selected from Big West member schools’ nominees to represent the conference for the national award.
It’s the second time in the last three years that a UH beach volleyball player earned the distinction as the Big West nominee. Brooke Van Sickle also got the nod in 2022.
The NCAA Woman of the Year program was established in 1991 and honors the academic achievements, athletics excellence, community service and leadership of graduating female college athletes from all three divisions. To be eligible, a nominee must have competed and earned a varsity letter in an NCAA-sponsored sport and must have earned her undergraduate degree by summer 2024.
The NCAA Women of the Year Selection Committee will choose the top 10 honorees in each of the three divisions in October. From those 30 candidates, the committee will narrow it down to nine finalists and will announce the 2024 Woman of the Year in January.
More on Glagau
Glagau’s experience as a student-athlete helped put a lot into perspective. The socio-economic issues she witnessed after coming from Canada propelled her to make a difference during the time spent at UH. Glagau began an after-school volleyball program that taught local keiki the fundamentals of the sport.
Glagau also spent time interning at HUGS Hawaiʻi, supporting the organization by creating cards for children, distributing weekly newsletters and connecting with children in need of care. The background in social work inspired Glagau to pursue master’s degrees in management innovation and entrepreneurship alongside social work.
On the beach, Glagau was one of the most decorated players in school history. She was a four-time all-conference player and a two-time All-American with Van Sickle. In spring 2024, she helped lead UH to its first Big West title in six years and its third straight NCAA Tournament berth. Glagau also became just the third player in UH history to accumulate 100 career wins (finishing with 103).
She was awarded the 2024 Jack Bonham Award, given to the UH senior who best exemplifies the ideals of athletic excellence, academic achievement, public service, leadership and character.
For the entire story, visit the UH Mānoa Athletics website.
