Tavana Garners National and MPSF Honors

PROVO -- Futi Tavana, a 6-8 redshirt freshman middle blocker from Kalaheo, Hawaii, has been named the Sports Imports/AVCA Division I-II Men's National Player of the Week and MPSF Molten Player of the Week after leading BYU to back-to-back five-game wins over then-No. 5 Long Beach State.

"Futi is very deserving of this award," said BYU head coach Shawn Patchell. "He continues to make improvements week to week."

In the first match-up with the 49ers, Tavana hit .500 with 11 kills in 20 attempts and one error. He also completed his first career double-double, getting 11 blocks, in addition to adding one ace in the match. Tavana started the night strong, recording three kills and a block early in the first set to contribute four of BYU’s first five points against the 49ers. Forced into a comeback situation, with Long Beach State leading 2-1, he recorded a service ace to give the Cougars an 8-5 lead early in the fourth set, while another kill later tied the score 21-21. Tavana opened the final set with a kill, the first of his final three. With a five-point lead down the stretch, the redshirt freshman recorded a solo block as BYU went on to win the match.

In the second match against Long Beach, Tavana turned in an even better outing, notching the second double-double of his young career with 14 kills and 13 blocks. His 13 total blocks marked a new career high and tied a BYU record high (shared with Scott Bunker’s 13 blocks vs. No. 1 Hawaii on April 14, 2001). Three of Tavana’s 13 blocks came against reigning AVCA National Player of the Week Dean Bittner who only suffered nine attack errors on way to a career-high 42 kills. He also hit .636 in the match and picked up one dig. After a close loss in the fourth set, BYU found itself trailing 9-5 in the fifth. Tavana single-handedly brought his team back to within one point (12-11) with three kills and two blocks.

For the week, Tavana hit .571 and averaged 2.50 kills, 2.40 blocks and 3.85 points per game.

This is the first time Tavana had garnered either honor. He is the 18th athlete from BYU to earn the national award, with Yosleyder Cala being the last Cougar to receive the award in April 2007. Russell Holmes received the MPSF weekly honor in February 2008.