At first glance, it appears Rainbow Wahine volleyball went looking for another Emily Hartong on the first day high school seniors could sign letters of intent. They also found an Ali Longo clone close to home.

Savanah Kahakai, a 5-foot-8 senior hitter who helped Farrington into this year’s state high school tournament, said Wednesday that she has committed to Hawaii and will play libero. Three other 6-2 hitters/middles also confirmed their commitments.

Kahakai, Kalei Greeley, Megan Huff and Emily Maglio have been listed on the richkern.com volleyball website as Hawaii recruits, along with walk-on libero Gianna Guinasso and sand player Kendra Koelsch. The last two are from California, as is Greeley, who confirmed her commitment a year ago. Huff is from Auburn, Wash., and Maglio from Coquitlam, Canada — just east of Vancouver.

The 12th-ranked Wahine lose seven seniors after this season, including Hartong, a 6-2 hitter and two-time All-American who played middle her first two years. Hartong is 10th nationally in kills and the only starting senior who is an attacker.

Longo is in her second year as the starting libero. Hawaii’s only other senior starter is all-region setter Mita Uiato. UH brought in two setters this year, Tayler Higgins from Punahou and Kyra Goodman, a redshirt from California.

Kahakai is in her second year with the ‘Imi ‘Ike club team, coached by the UH staff. Along with enhancing her volleyball IQ, she said the experience has forced her to become "more aggressive, outspoken and vocal." That is precisely what the Wahine are looking for in a libero, along with exceptional passing and defense.

Kahakai has followed Wahine volleyball since Aneli Cubi-Otineru and stopped her college search — she was looking at Navy and Ohio –as soon as Hawaii showed interest. She calls her UH commitment her greatest volleyball achievement so far.

"Coming from where I come from, not many kids make it to this point," Kahakai said. "I think I’m their first player from Farrington."

Huff was a four-year starter at Todd Beamer High School and an all-conference selection — and captain — as a senior, leading her team in kills and aces. Her coach was Pat Taitano, who went to UH. Huff also played on the PSVBA 17-under team that won the Patriot Division at this year’s Junior Nationals, with eight players.

She wants to pursue a professional volleyball career after college, then get a medical degree and work for Doctors Without Borders. She is also an all-conference basketball player and could join future teammate Kalei Adolpho in both sports.

Huff said Wednesday that, after making many college visits, she eventually felt sure Hawaii was the right choice, and not just because she felt the UH coaches could develop her skills.

"I made my visit a little over a month ago," said Huff, who was also considering Oregon and New Mexico. "I liked it a lot, but wanted to make sure. …I really believe God was leading me to go to Hawaii. That was one of the large, determining factors. And, I feel I can become the best I can be."

Maglio’s club team won Canada’s 16 national championships two years ago. She also earned bronze at the 17-under beach championships. Her high school season is still going. Maglio says the team "is lucky to play in front of 100" fans.

That will change next fall.

"I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii, volleyball in Hawaii sounded good," said Maglio, who also talked with Washington. "I emailed them (in February) and they said they’d come watch and then I thought this could be real."

Greeley was the CIF Division 2AA Player of the Year last season and came to Hawaii to watch the 2012 state high school championship. She played middle her first two years before switching outside and hit .400-plus in high school. Her grandmother grew up here and gave Greeley a trip to Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Camp for her 13th birthday.

Hawaii will also have 5-9 hitter Keani Passi, from Waianae, available next year. Passi was the Junior College Player of the Year last season and transferred home from Southern Idaho for her last two seasons.

Notes

» Hawaii (20-4, 9-3 BWC) moved up one spot, to No. 12, in this week’s NCAA RPI power ranking. The Top 16 seeded teams at the end of the regular season have the option of hosting a subregional.

» The Wahine are off this week. They host UC Davis next Friday and Northridge next Saturday in the final home match.