University of Hawai‘i men’s volleyball standouts Kristian Titriyski and Kurt Nusterer were recognized by the Big West Conference on Monday for their impressive performances, earning Freshman of the Week and Defensive Player of the Week honors, respectively.
Titriyski claimed his first career Freshman of the Week award after playing a key role in the Rainbow Warriors’ back-to-back road victories over No. 5 BYU. The opposite hitter from Sofia, Bulgaria, averaged 4.11 kills and 5.22 points per set across the two matches, adding 11 total blocks, eight digs, and four aces.
Titriyski currently ranks fifth in the Big West and sixth nationally in points per set (4.89), while also standing fourth in the country in aces per set (0.704).
Meanwhile, Nusterer, a middle blocker from Indianapolis, Ind., earned his second career Big West Defensive Player of the Week accolade. He anchored Hawai‘i’s defense at the net, averaging 2.22 blocks per set and posting a career-high 10 blocks in each match against BYU.
Nusterer ranks fourth in the Big West and 12th nationally with an average of 1.222 blocks per set.The undefeated, fourth-ranked Rainbow Warriors (8-0) will return home to host No. 9 Stanford (3-3) in a non-conference two-match series at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
Matches are scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 5, and Friday, Feb. 7, with first serve at 7 p.m. Hawai‘i will aim to extend its dominance over the Cardinal, having won the last 11 meetings in the series.