Hawai’i marked its return to the Big West with a pair of specialty awards, highlighting the second phase of the accolades bestowed on conference players. The Wahine had Shawna-Lei Kuehu honored as the Best Sixth Player, while Sydney Haydel was named Best Defensive Player. Cal Poly earned mention as well as Kayla Griffin was named Best Hustle Player.

Kuehu, a junior from ‘Aiea, O‘ahu, was an impact player for the Wahine off the bench. In 23 games, Kuehu averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and shot 44% from the floor. Kuehu also picked up 19 blocks and 25 steals in just under 20 minutes a night. Conference play is where Kuehu picked up her game, averaging 9.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and shooting 46.1% from the field in 21.8 minutes per game. She matched her career high with 18 points on two occasions during conference play and is on a six-game double-digit scoring streak entering the Big West Tournament. Kuehu is the first UH player to claim the Sixth Player award in the program’s Big West history.

Haydel anchored one of the top defenses in the Big West from her position on the wing. A native of Woodland Hills, Calif., Haydel spearheaded a Wahine defense that allowed just 59.4 points per game, second-best in the league. The junior started 20 of her 29 games, recorded 32 steals and was solid on the glass with 55 defensive rebounds. Routinely matched up against the opposing team’s top perimeter threat, Haydel led the UH defense to even better numbers against Big West opposition, allowing just 56.2 points an outing while forcing teams to shoot just 37.2% from the floor.

The glue to the Cal Poly engine, Griffin was all over the floor in multiple categories for the Mustangs. The senior from Fremont, Calif., averaged 8.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and collected 107 assists and 48 steals. Griffin ranks seventh in the Big West in rebounding (7.1), fourth in assists (3.7), second in assist to turnover ratio (1.6), tied for fifth in defensive rebounds per game (5.0) and seventh in minutes played per game (32.2). Griffin has had a knack of doing whatever Cal Poly has needed, whether it be an 8-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist effort in 50 minutes in triple overtime win against Pacific, or scoring a career-high 21 points to go along with nine rebounds and five assists in a win over UC Santa Barbara.


2012-13 Big West Sixth Woman of the Year 
Shawna-Lei Kuehu, Hawai’i

2012-13 Big West Defensive Player of the Year 
Sydney Haydel, Hawai’i

2012-13 Big West Best Hustle
Kayla Griffin, Cal Poly