Nov. 8, 2007

Aoki Named West Region Coach of the Year

The 2007 Division III Women’s Volleyball AVCA Regional Coaches of the Year were announced today and PLU’s own Kevin Aoki was named the west region coach of the year. Aoki coached the Lutes to a 23-3 overall record and an undefeated 16-0 Northwest Conference championship this season. It was the Lutes’ third conference title in four years and the fourth since 1999.

Currently, Pacific Lutheran is ranked No. 13 in the CSTV/AVCA Division III Top 25 Coaches Poll, its highest ranking of the season. Aoki, who won his 200th match on October 27 against Whitworth, will lead Pacific Lutheran into the NCAA Division III West Regionals this weekend. With a bye, the Lutes will play the winner of Puget Sound and Nebraska Wesleyan in the second round.

Heading into the tournament, the Lutes have won 19 consecutive matches and 23 overall, both school records. In his 12 seasons at Pacific Lutheran, Aoki has put together a 202-109 (.650) overall record, while going 135-57 (.703) in Northwest Conference play. This is the second AVCA Division III West Region Coach of the Year award for Aoki. He last won it in 2004.

- PLU -