HONOLULU — University of Hawaii men’s volleyball setter Jakob Thelle was named the AVCA national player of the week on Tuesday after leading the top-ranked Rainbow Warriors to a pair of wins over No. 7 Loyola-Chicago to open the 2022 season.
Thelle, a 6-foot-6 junior from Norway, totaled 72 assists (10.3 per set) and nine aces in the wins over the Ramblers. UH hit .367 over the two matches.
He was an all-around threat with 10 digs, five blocks and five kills in the week. His six aces and four blocks in the season opener Jan. 5 were career highs and contributed to a sweep of Loyola.
It was Thelle’s first national weekly honor. He was also named the Big West Conference offensive player of the week and the Off the Block national setter of the week.
The Rainbow Warriors remained at No. 1 in the national rankings this week, earning 16 of 19 first-place votes in the AVCA coaches poll.
UH is slated to take on a new NCAA men’s volleyball program, Edward Waters, on Friday and Sunday at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.