LIHUE, KAUA'I, HI. - Lisa Arce and Holly McPeak picked up two honors each here Sunday (September 28) as the 1997 Women's Professional Volleyball Association awards were announced in conjunction with the finals of the Best of the Beach IV, the 12th and final event on the Evian Women's Pro Beach Volleyball Tour.

All active members of the WPVA voted for the nine awards, including most valuable, most improved, best setter, best hitter, best blocker, best defender, most inspirational, sportswomanship and rookie-of-the-year.

McPeak was recognized for the third-straight season as both the WPVA's most valuable player and top defensive player. Arce, who was No. 2 in the most valuable player voting, was selected as both the top hitter and best blocker.

Arce, who also finished as the Evian Tour's top server, was the WPVA's top rookie in 1994 and most improved player in 1995. She also tied for second in the 1997 most improved voting with Jennifer Meredith.

Other players being selected for 1997 WPVA post-season awards were Leanne Schuster for most improved, Karolyn Kirby as the best setter for the fifth-straight season, Dennie Shupryt-Knoop as the most inspirational for the second-straight season, Elaine Roque as the top sportswoman for the third-straight season, and Meredith and Elaine Youngs as the top rookies.

Despite only competing in six events this season, Youngs became the first pro beach rookie to ever win an event as she teamed with Masakayan to win Evian Tour stops in Chicago (July 13) and here this weekend. Youngs also set a WPVA rookie earnings record with $17,741.25.

Linda Hanley finished second in the voting for best hitter and winning the award in 1996. McPeak was second to Kirby in the best setter voting while Nancy Reno was second among blocking vote- getters after winning the award in 1992, 1995 and 1996.

Barbra Fontana was second for the third-straight year in the top defender voting after winning the honor in both 1993 and 1994. Gail Castro and Liz Masakayan finished second in the voting for sportswoman and most inspirational, respectively.

Masakayan, who had been previously selected as the WPVA's most valuable player (1992 and 1993), top defender (1991 and 1992) and top hitter (1993 and 1994), was the circuit's most inspirational player in 1995.