University of the Pacific’s Elaina Oden Named PCAA Volleyball Player of the Year

University of the Pacific freshman Elaina Oden was voted the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn.’s volleyball Player of the Year Friday by the conference’s nine head coaches.

The 6-foot 1-inch Oden, a middle blocker from Irvine High School, led the Tigers to their first PCAA volleyball championship this season. UOP, ranked second in the nation, finished with a 15-1 conference record and were 29-3 overall.

Oden led the conference in kills with 420 for a 4.0 average. She also led her team and was second in the PCAA in hitting percentage, .357. Oden had 148 blocks for a 1.41 average, fifth in the conference.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Coach Mike Wilton was voted PCAA Coach of the Year. In his eighth year as coach of the Mustangs, Wilton led his team to a second-place finish and a No. 5 national ranking. The Mustangs posted a 14-2 conference record and a 28-5 mark overall.