Stanford All-America Selection Erik Shoji to be Guest Coach at Volleyball Camps

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Erik Shoji, who earned First Team All-American honors all four years as a men's volleyball libero at Stanford University, will be a guest coach at the Willamette University setter/libero/defensive clinic on June 25-26 and the advanced skills volleyball camp set for June 27-29.

Shoji, from Honolulu, Hawaii, earned 1,375 digs during his Stanford career. Official NCAA records have been kept for just a few seasons, but Shoji's career total is believed to be the all-time record. Likewise, his 446 digs during the 2009 season appear to be an all-time single season record. He is the only player in the history of the AVCA All-America award (22 years) to be named to the First Team four times.

As a senior this spring, Shoji ranked third in NCAA Division I with 2.69 digs per set, as he registered 304 digs in 113 sets. He ranked second on the team with 49 assists.

Shoji helped Stanford win the NCAA national championship in 2010. He also contributed to Stanford achieving a combined record of 86-33 (.723) during his four years with the Cardinal.

Erik Shoji is the nephew of Willamette women's volleyball Head Coach Tom Shoji, who is the director of the WU volleyball camps.

"It is an unbelievable opportunity for players in our community to learn and listen to Erik during camp," Tom Shoji said. "He is a great player that has a passion for the sport. Growing up in Hawaii and playing volleyball indoors and on the beach, he has developed all the skills of volleyball at a very high level. He has a very good chance of playing professional volleyball overseas next year and making our 2016 USA Olympic volleyball team."

"Players at all levels here in the Willamette Valley should not lose this opportunity to learn from one the best volleyball players in our country," Tom Shoji added.

Willamette's setter/libero/defensive clinic is for players who play primarily at setter or defensive positions. They will learn setting skills, acquire a greater awareness of the important of the sideout phase of the game, and be able to improve their abilities to record digs on defense. The clinic is for players entering eighth grade through 12th grade in 2012-13.

The advanced skills camp is for experienced volleyball players who will be entering eighth grade through 12th grade this fall. Junior varsity and varsity players will benefit from the camp. Advanced skills for hitting, blocking and serving will be taught.

For information about the camps or to register for a camp please see the Willamette Volleyball Camps web page. Each clinic or camp has limited space, so be sure to register soon.