Hawaii men’s volleyball: Stijn van Tilburg named national player of week
Congrats to Rainbow Warrior senior hitter Stijn van Tilburg, who was named the AVCA national player of the week on Tuesday.
From the release: Van Tilburg was named the Most Valuable Player of the Big West Tournament after leading the Rainbow Warriors to a pair of home victories. After a nine-kill performance in the win over the Anteaters he went off in the Big West Championship Match. He nailed 25 kills without a single hitting error in 46 attempts in the five-set win over Beach, hitting .543 in the process with two digs and as many blocks. Hawaii earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and a bye into the NCAA semifinals.
This is the 24th time in program history UH has been awarded a Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week. Hawaii has the most national player of the week honors of any team this season with three — Rado Parapunov earned the award on March 5 and March 19.
“Congratulations” feels almost trite, but I almost don’t have the words to say anything else to Stijn that can capture his awesome abilities and performance! Still caught up in the euphoria of the epic championship victory and just realized I forgot to acknowledge, via your blog, Cindy, the players, coaches and staff for giving us a monumental season! Mahalo plenty!! You guys da best!!!
Congratulations to Stijn van Tilburg for earning National Player of the Week. He was awesome and amazing! If Hawaii and Long Beach meet again for the national championship, for sure he will be targeted by their blockers and diggers. They won’t allow him another error-free night. He’ll have to be extra savvy and smart. Maybe that will open up space for Rado and Colton to get their kills. Joe Worsley will have be very smart, crafty and precise. It would be an uphill battle for UH where Long Beach would have the home court advantage. Of course, Hawaii can’t look ahead as most likely they’ll face USC that already defeated Long Beach in three straight sets. Hang in there, Bows.
What are the good accommodations near Long Beach that is not too pricey? Thanks!
Amazing match! Congrats! You carried the team not only with your hitting but provided, the energy, steadiness and calming leadership that you as well as others – especially the seniors, provide to the team. All the best in the Big Dance.
Well deserved. Cindy, thank you for including his classy comment about awaiting an award for his setter.
https://www.ocregister.com/2019/04/24/charlie-wade-coaching-no-1-hawaii-mens-volleyball-team-despite-u-s-center-for-safesport-suspension/