Hawaii women’s volleyball coach Dave Shoji earned his 1,000th career victory October 17 when the Rainbow Wahine beat New Mexico State, 3-1. Shoji is just the second coach in NCAA history to accumulate that many wins.

Shoji earned the milestone with a 25-13, 22-25, 25-21, 25-8 victory. Hawaii is 16-2 for the season and undefeated in Western Athletic Conference play.

Hawaii celebrated the win in style, dropping confetti and streamers from the arena rafters. Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle proclaimed the day in Shoji’s honor, and he received the game ball, a plaque and a flat-screen television.

Shoji started his head coaching career at Hawaii in 1975 when the program was just a year old. He built the team into a powerful force, winning the school’s first NCAA national title in 1979. The Rainbow Wahine also won the title in 1982 and 1987.

Shoji also began the school’s men’s program in 1978, coaching the team through the 1985 season, acquiring a WAC title in 1980.