Orange Coast College

Eva Johnson sets her sights for Hawaii Pacific

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

COSTA MESA - There were several schools interested in Orange Coast College women's volleyball standout Eva Johnson, but Hawaii Pacific University had one thing the other schools didn't.

It's in Hawaii.

"At the end of it all, Hawaii Pacific gave me the best offer and obviously, you can't beat the location," Johnson said. "I remember seeing the university when my family went to Hawaii and I can't wait to go there."

Johnson, who helped the Pirates to back-to-back state titles during her two-year stint, finished her career with 161 kills, 93 blocks and 34 digs. Last year, her 70 blocks were the fourth-best single-season total in school history, while her .293 hitting percentage ranks 13th all time. Her 93 career blocks are seventh all-time.

"What comes to mind when I think of Eva is her athletic ability," OCC head coach Chuck Cutenese said. "She's a very gifted athlete who has really developed into a solid player, both offensively and defensively. Her strength comes from blocking and defense but she really came around into an offensive threat for us as well."

Coming into her sophomore year, Cutenese knew the talent that Johnson possessed after she was named the team's "Co-Most Improved Player" along with Kissa Kent.

"This year was a year of 'I can do this' from Eva," Cutenese said. "She continued to improve as the season went along and she and Jennifer Chiffer really enabled us to find success in the middle, which really opened up our side of the floor offensively."

Johnson's strong play helped guide the Pirates to a 51-2 record and two state titles and she feels that experience will be a huge asset to her at HPU. Central Connecticut, UC San Diego, Lewis and Clark and Cal State Monterey Bay were also interested in the 6-foot middle blocker from Cambria.

"It's been a wonderful experience here at Coast and I've really learned a lot about playing at a high level of volleyball," Johnson said. "Hopefully the championship experience I've learned here at Coast I can bring with me to Hawaii Pacific. I've made some lifelong friends here and that's what I'll cherish the most about my time at OCC."