HONOLULU — Louis Sakanoko went from unknown to renown in record time.

The Hawaii men’s volleyball hitter from France was named the Big West Freshman of the Week on Monday after he stirred up the Stan Sheriff Center with a program-record-tying nine aces in a sweep of Emmanuel (Ga.) University.

Sakanoko, a French junior national team player making his first collegiate start, lofted a series of jump heaters that dived violently to the court, causing startled Lions players to shank them out of bounds repeatedly – one off the head of the libero, Nicklas Eichenberger. He came close to dethroning Costas Theocharidis for the UH single-match record set at USC on March 1, 2002, in the speedy 25-7, 25-8, 25-18 decision in front of 4,774 (5,903 tickets issued).

“I’m pretty happy about that,” Sakanoko said of being informed of his feat after the match, and expressed a desire to go for 10 in the future.

“I’m happy about making the show here for all the fans.”

He had four service errors. He supplied eight kills and three errors on 13 swings (.385), a block assist and two digs.

For the two-game set against Emmanuel, Sakanoko had 12 aces. Senior Spyros Chakas, who had a seven-kill match against Queens two years ago, reacted appreciatively during an especially devastating service run by his new teammate.

Coach Charlie Wade tried the 6-foot-5 Sakanoko out at both pins last week. He spent some of his first time at opposite as sixth-year senior Alaka‘i Todd was given Friday night off.

“He’s still a little more volatile, but he’s really productive so you can absorb some errors out of him. Over time, that can come down,” Wade said after the match. “But I feel like I’ve gotta keep rolling him out there to see what it looks like.

“He’s really impressive, does a lot of really dynamic stuff. We’ll see what it actually look likes over an extended amount of time.”

UH fans will have to wait a few weeks to see him in person again; the next home match is Tusculum on Feb. 2.

The ‘Bows have a week free from game action then head to the state of Indiana for three matches – two at Purdue Fort Wayne (Jan. 25, 26) and one at Ball State (Jan. 28).

It was the second straight week to start the 2024 season that a UH player got the BWC freshman award. The first went to setter Tread Rosenthal, who was making his first appearances as the successor to AVCA Player of the Year Jakob Thelle.

Thelle, UH’s career aces record-holder with 122, topped out at six aces in a single match.

 

UH single-match ace leaders

 

  • Costas Theocharidis, 9, at USC, 3/1/02
  • Louis Sakanoko, 9, Emmanuel, 1/12/24
  • Lauri Hakala, 8, Lewis, 3/23/07
  • Filip Humler, 7, Long Island, 2/11/22
  • Spyros Chakas, 7, Queens, 2/4/22
  • Nejc Zemljak, 7, Long Beach State, 3/19/10
  • Eyal Zimet, 7, at UC San Diego, 2/13/01
  • Dimitrios Mouchlias, 6, Ball State, 1/13/23
  • Jakob Thelle, 6, Loyola Chicago, 1/5/22
  • Brook Sedore, 6, CSUN, 2/20/15
  • Pedro Azenha, 6, Pacific, 4/15/05
  • Pedro Azenha, 6, at USC, 3/9/04

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.