(photo credit: Rick Ogata)

In the search for his setter of the future, University of Hawai`i Hilo volleyball coach Chris Leonard didn't have to look very far.

Leonard has announced the signing of Kealakehe High School and Pilipa`a Girls Volleyball program standout Aulike Kaiawe to a National Letter of Intent. Leonard coached the 5-foot-8 Kaiawe for four seasons with Pilipa`a and has watched her play since her early years in the sport.

"We're excited to have Aulike join us," Leonard said. "She is one of the most talented  high school  volleyball players on the Big Island and among the best in the state of Hawaii.  She is very hard-working, motivated to succeed and coachable and I know she will bring a  competitive mindset to our gym."

Kaiawe missed her 2020 senior season due to COVID-19. As a junior (2019), she was an honorable mention Division I All-BIIF selection for Kealakehe (Kailua-Kona), who finished the season 12-2. The Waveriders reached the BIIF semifinals, with Kaiawe contributing as a setter and outside hitter.

Born and raised on the Big Island, Kaiawe may have made her biggest impressions in club volleyball for Pilipa`a. She helped lead her team to the Haili Women's AA Division championship in 2019 and was named to the all-tournament team. She was just 15-years-old at the time. 

Pilipa`a finished in the upper tier of the Oahu Power League as 16s and 18s, and on the national stage they finished second in the 16s SCVA Las Vegas tournament in 2018. After Leonard became the Vulcans head coach, Kaiawe was coached at Piopio by former Vulcan Laura Thompson.

"Aulike was the youngest player (by 1-2 years) on some very dynamic dynamic Pilipa'a teams that overall produced 11 collegiate volleyball players during her time," Leonard added. "Despite the age difference, she was fearless, played with skill and confidence and competed with the best junior players in the state and across the country. I'm looking forward to working with her again and seeing her compete with our talented Vulcan team."

With all of the 2020 Vulcan players getting an extra year of eligibility because of COVID-19, Leonard's recruiting class for 2021 is much smaller than it would normally be. "We have a big roster and seniors coming back in 2021 for another season, so we should have a strong and deep club."

Kaiawe plans to major in kinesiology and desires to ultimately be a physical therapist. She will enroll at the University of Hawai`i Hilo and join the Vulcan roster in the fall of 2021.