“Look me in my eyes, and tell me what you see
There is no need to be dishonest, be true to your heart
Your mind.
Can you feel the pain and the desire?
There is no need to hide your emotion,
The pursuit of greatness is coming.”
Time stands still for no one, and that includes the only senior on the ‘Iolani girls volleyball team. Saige Ka‘aha‘aina-Torres knows her role well as a returning Star-Advertiser All-State outside hitter and a key member of the defending state champions.
The 2016 year was an unprecedented one for the Raiders, who emerged out of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu gauntlet as league champion. The Raiders then won their first state title since 2001, when the late Ann Kang was head coach. It was an arduous accomplishment, getting past dynastic Kamehameha and a Punahou program that had captured three of the previous five state crowns. Not long after the dust settled, Ka‘aha‘aina-Torres penned a poem in English class, and her teacher thought highly enough of it to submit it for a national creative writing book. A smaller school winning a state girls volleyball title for only the second time, that leaves an imprint. That reflection is “Night Sky”.
“You have come to a conclusion, you say?
The pain and the sacrifice,
The blood, sweat, and tears.
They are all worth it.
You can see the dreams through my eyes?
Dreams as if they were stars shown through the eyes of another. “
Peter Greenhill, a longtime teacher, entered the poem into the competition. Everything Ka‘aha‘aina-Torres had done for her sport of choice required exertion, effort, teamwork with her Raiders, teamwork with her family. But poetry? It flows easily. It is the byproduct and Ka‘aha‘aina-Torres is the instrument.
The day-to-day grind, though, is something she has embraced for a decade-plus. She began preschool at Maryknoll and attended the school through sixth grade. Volleyball wasn’t yet a huge part of her life.
“I love the school, but at a certain point, it was time for a change,” she said.
Ka‘aha‘aina-Torres had already been commuting from Waimanalo.
“A lot of my friends were applying for Punahou and Kamehameha. I got into ‘Iolani,” she said.
Five years later, Ka‘aha‘aina-Torres has a 3.4 grade-point average plus four scholarship offers: Florida State, Missouri, Oregon and Seattle University. She committed to Missouri before this season.
Kamehameha coach Chris Blake saw Ka‘aha‘aina-Torres pound 22 kills and hustle for 10 digs in ‘Iolani’s state-title win over the Warriors last year.
“She has a very important role and it is one that she is more than prepared for. She has had many leaders that she has built from: Bailey Choy, Ana Oglivie, their coaching staff and others that have shaped her into the leader she is today,” Blake said. “She exemplifies the ‘One Team’ concept.”
Versatility and sacrifice make Ka‘aha‘aina-Torres a unique jewel in the lineup.
“Her natural position is setter,” ‘Iolani coach Kainoa Obrey said. “I am amazed that she is able to play outside hitter at such a high level, knowing that she has played the position a total of 4.5 months.”
This fall, the Raiders have a lot of new faces in key roles — Ka‘aha‘aina-Torres and returning All-State player of the year Elena Oglivie lead the way.
“Saige is growing into her leadership role and doing a great job mentoring and helping to grow the first-year varsity players, especially the sophomores and freshmen,” Obrey said. “She can recognize when the team needs a boost and can get the team together to move in a positive direction.”
Ka‘aha‘aina-Torres has two younger brothers, so being a leader isn’t a new role.
“It’s definitely a fun challenge. Sometimes I catch myself being a big sister because I try to be supportive with any problems that my teammates are having on or off the court,” she said. “My expectations will always be high, and I expect everyone to be accountable for their actions because that’s what makes the team better.”
Every Sunday is family day in the Ka‘aha‘aina-Torres household.
“More recently, it’s been more hiking than beach. There’s the Makapuu Lighthouse one, a paved trail. It’s easy for my younger brothers. The Kuliouou Ridge hike, that’s definitely a little tougher. It’s longer, so we can talk about stuff that’s going on more,” she said. “It takes about an hour, then you can see our house from the top.”
“Attaining a dream is never impossible,
But the race to the finish line amongst yourself
And the rest of the world
That is the real challenge.
Who is going to get there first?
Easy,
It’s all about who wants it more. “
SAIGE KA’AHA’AINA-TORRES
‘Iolani girls volleyball
Senior
GPA: 3.4
Athlete: Michael Jordan
Saige: “I think one of the main reasons why I look up to him as an athlete would probably be where he got his motivation from, the fact that he got cut from his high school basketball team. He became the greatest of all time in his sport.”
Team: Golden State Warriors
Saige: “I definitely want to go and watch them at least by this year. Maybe by next year at the latest.”
Food (at home): Mushroom chicken pasta
Saige: “My mom pretty much makes it from scratch.”
Hobby outside of sports: Hiking with my family
Saige: “Every Sunday, everybody has the day off, so it’s a designated family day.”
Movie: “The Blind Side”
TV show: “Last Chance U”
Music artist: The Green or Travis Scott
Class: AP psychology
Motto/scripture: Deuteronomy 31:6
HPW: What your dad (Malo Torres) says that you can’t forget:
“Do you want to be good? Or do you want to be the best?”
What your mom (Jennifer Ka’aha’aina-Torres) says that you can’t forget:
“No matter what happens, I am always proud of you and I will support you with your decisions.”
Saige: “She tells me that at least once a week, actually.”
