Takashima Slams Home NWC Weekly Volleyball Honors
FOREST GROVE – An exceptional season for Pacific middle blocker
Kelsy Takashima (Sr., Kaunakakai, Hawaii) has finally earned some well-deserved recognition as she has been named the Northwest Conference's Volleyball Student-Athlete of the Week. The award, selected by the conference's sports information directors, was announced on Tuesday.
Takashima was the driving force behind the Boxers' offensive successes as they went 1-1 this week hosting the eastern Washington schools. She completed the two-match week with a .391 hitting percentage, averaging 3.78 kills, 0.56 service aces, 0.78 blocks and 0.78 digs per set.
Takashima led the Boxers in kills in both matches. She finished with 24 kills and an impressive .488 hitting percentage in Pacific's five-set win over Whitman on Friday. She added to her line two service aces, three digs and two blocks. She had a more subdued line in Saturday's four-set loss to Whitworth, but still impressed with 10 kills, a .250 hitting percentage, three aces, four digs and five blocks.
'It's so hard to put into words the quality of person, player and teammate Kelsy has been for our program," said Pacific Head Volleyball Coach Lena Chan. "Kelsy has worked day in and day out, without fail, to get Pacific volleyball to be able to compete with any team across the net. She has been an inspiration that will continue to affect Pacific for years to come."
Takashima continues to rank as one of the best all-around volleyball players in the conference. She enters the week ranked second in the NWC with a .324 hitting percentage and fourth in kills, averaging 2.97 kills per set. In addition, Takashima leads the league with 0.54 service aces per set.
Takashima and the Boxers are in the midst of their best season since 2007. They enter the week with a 12-7 overall record and are tied for fourth place in the NWC with Lewis & Clark with a 6-4 mark. The Boxers are in action on Friday at Puget Sound before returning home to face Lewis & Clark on Saturday. Match start time both nights is 7 p.m.
