IRVINE, Calif. – Chaminade University outfielder
Chasity McKean (Kapolei, O'ahu, Hawai'i/College of Southern Nevada/Kapolei HS) and catcher
Keaolani Takemura-Brehme (Pearl City, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mid-Pacific Institute) on Friday were named to the Preseason All-Pacific West Conference Softball Team, as voted by the conference coaches.
McKean was a second team all-conference selection last season after hitting .331 and finishing tied for second on the team with 25 RBI and three triples. The fifth-year senior also had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 77 chances with four outfield assists.
Takemura-Brehme had one of the top hitting seasons by a Silversword in 2023, shattering the single-season school record with 11 triples to earn All-PacWest First Team honors as well as All-West Region kudos by the NFCA and D2CCA. Her 0.24 triples per game average co-led NCAA Division II.
Takemura-Brehme was one of only two players in the PacWest to finish in the conference's top three in batting (.389), slugging percentage (.584), on-base percentage (.455) and OPS (1.039). The other was last year's PacWest Player and Freshman of the Year in former Biola shortstop Colby McClinton, a Kamehameha-Kapalama alumnae. Takemura-Brehme carries a six-game hitting streak into the 2024 season.
Azusa Pacific pitcher and designated player Katie Korstrom and Concordia University Irvine shortstop Rylie Rohr were selected as the Preseason Co-Players of the Year while CUI hurler Katlin Entrup was picked as the Preseason Pitcher of the Year.
Also released Friday was the Preseason Coaches Poll. Chaminade was picked seventh with 25 points, behind fellow island schools, Hawai'i Pacific (fifth) and Hawai'i Hilo (sixth). Just three points separated the local rivals.
CUI got all eight first-place votes as the unanimous pick to win the PacWest for a third straight year. APU was second, followed by Biola and Dominican in fourth. The top four teams in the standings earn a berth to the PacWest Tournament, which will be in San Rafael, California, from May 1-3.
The Silverswords open the season next Friday against defending West Region champion and NFCA preseason No. 7 Cal State San Marcos at the Concordia Kickoff Classic in Irvine, California.
