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Women's Volleyball

Keanini and Cheng's Island Performances Earn PacWest Honors

PacWest Release

Phoenix, AZ -- Two Urban Knights made the PacWest Top 10 Honor Roll after a hectic week in Hawaii where the Knights swept Chaminade and upset Hawaii Pacific on the way to a 2-3 week. Setter Melissa Cheng and outside hitter Leinani Keanini both earned the selection, putting up big numbers as the Knights played five games in seven days. The honors were announced by the PacWest Media Office in Phoenix, AZ on Monday, Nov. 7 for games played Oct. 31 - Nov. 6.

Cheng averaged 10.00 assists per set, totaling 180 assists over five matches, including her season-high 44 assists in the 3-2 upset of the Sea Warriors last Thursday. She ranked fourth in assists per set for the week in the league, and also totaled 12 kills over the five matches. It marked the second Honor Roll selection of 2011 for Cheng, and the fifth of her career.

After her 12 kill, 14 dig night on Sunday, Keanini has now put up double-digit kills in eight straight matches dating back to October 20, and has also recorded a double-double in five straight. She averaged 3.78 points per set, good for seventh in the PacWest in scoring for the week. Keanini totaled 68 points on 63 kills, four aces and a pair of block solos. She was excellent on defense with 76 digs in 18 sets, and averaged 4.22 digs per set - good enough for fifth in the PacWest for the week. It was the second Honor Roll Selection of 2011 for Keanini, and the fourth of her career.