Hilo, Hawaii – Vulcan alumnus Alofa Tagataese's fight with cancer ended today.

A four-year letterwinner at the University of Hawaii-Hilo, Tagataese led the Vulcans to four National Volleyball Titles (AIAW 1981, NAIA 1981-83). She was a two-time first-team NAIA all-American (1982, 1983) and an AIAW second-team all-American (1981).

Tagataese was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame as well as the City Bank/Vulcan Athletic Hall of Fame.

Over the past decade, Tagataese has coached various youth volleyball clubs and individuals. Over the past two season, Tagataese was the junior varsity coach at Kamehameha Schools-Kea‘au. She started her prep coaching career as an assistant to former Vulcan Nalani Viveiros at Hilo High School.