National academic honors for two of the Vuls’ best and brightest

Hawaii Tribune-Herald

The exam results are in for UH-Hilo’s Bria Beale and Daelenn Tokunaga, and they match the box scores.

After dominating the competition on their respective fields of competition all season, Beale and Tokunaga are officially Grade A performers. Each was recognized nationally during the past few days for their accomplishments in the classroom.

Beale, a senior, was the first Vulcans volleyball player to be named an Academic All-American by CoSIDA, earning first-team honors Friday. The award winners were selected based on equal parts academic and athletic.

Beale, a four-time all-PacWest performer, carries a 3.90 grade-point average while majoring in psychology and mental health counseling.

“It’s a phenomenal honor,” UHH volleyball coach Chris Leonard. “To be that successful on the court and in the classroom is incredible.”

On Saturday, Tokunaga was named a first-team scholar All-American by the United Soccer Coaches Association. The junior striker ended the fall semester with a 3.75 GPA and is working her bachelor’s degree in administration of justice.

The University of Hawaii transfer led the West Region with 13 goals to spur the Vulcans to their first conference title en route to being named PacWest player of the year.

“I think it’s amazing what she has accomplished on and off the field,” UHH women’s soccer coach Gene Okamura said. “To have the year she has had on the field is amazing and to do it equally as well in the classroom is even more amazing.”