While Mia Heirakuji is busy digging volleyballs, others are digging her cuisine.

The Kamehameha senior doubles as the starting libero for the defending state champions and a promising chef who hopes to open her own cafe one day.

Food and volleyball played equal roles in her decision to attend Temple University next year. The Owls offered the 5-foot-4 libero a scholarship, an uncommon offer for defensive players.

"They’re actually one of the top entrepreneurship programs in the country," Heirakuji said of the Philadelphia school. "I’m doing it for the education, but I get to play volleyball too."

Heirakuji, 17, participated in an Asics combine on Oahu and received recognition from several colleges, including Manhattan College and UC San Diego. The tipping point for Heirakuji was Temple’s commitment.

"Coach Akiko (Hatakeyama), the assistant coach, actually came to Junior Olympics and watched most of my games. They’re really committed to their recruits and you just knew that they wanted you, so that helped me make my decision," she said.

Heirakuji’s volleyball career began in the Police Activities League when her parents signed her up with older brother Matthew. It was then that the Kailua native decided to ditch the soccer cleats and tutus for kneepads and spandex.

Heirakuji was an outside hitter until she was 13, when coaches moved her to libero once they realized she had stopped growing.

To say she has adapted and embraced the transition would be an understatement.

"It’s fun to be able to dig up the ball so that you can give options for the outside hitters," Heirakuji said. "When you get that first pass and they get a kill, it’s the best feeling in the world. It definitely pumps you up."

When Heirakuji found time outside the gym and away from school, she worked in her aunt’s restaurant, called The Food Company, in Kailua. It was there that she found her passion for pastries.

"I really like making pastries and baked goods. It’s embarrassing," Heirakuji said. "I’ve taken cooking classes. My mom even hired someone to help me cook, but I prefer baking."

Heirakuji often tests her recipes on birthdays and special events for her friends, whipping up batches of cookies or cupcakes.

"It usually doesn’t make it down to practice," Kamehameha coach Chris Blake said.

Blake has mentored Heirakuji since her sophomore year, and describes her as a perfectionist who is always trying to get better.

"Mia is more of a student of the game. She takes all the instruction that we give her, but she’s always trying to get better at it. Her first year she sat and learned behind a couple of really good players, like Chelsey Keoho and Kalehua Katagiri, but last year she stepped into the starting position as a junior," Blake said.

He added that Heirakuji’s attitude is what stands out on the court.

"She’s always smiling. It’s pretty funny. Her energy is infectious and we’re lucky in having Tiyana (Hallums) and Mia," Blake said. "They have high expectations of their teammates and have that ability to continually push everyone on the team to succeed."

As the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s No. 1 team, Kamehameha will be pushed to its limits, but Heirakuji and her squad are focused on three goals: winning the ILH first round, the ILH championship and the state championship.

"We know what we want to do and we can’t live off of last year’s accomplishments ’cause it’s over already," Heirakuji said. "We lost two years ago and it was probably the worst feeling in the world, but we came back last year. We had some rough patches, but we always bounced back and we clicked so well."

With her final high school season approaching, Heirakuji reflected on what she will leave behind after graduation.

"It’s crazy because I feel so young still. It just doesn’t seem real yet. It hasn’t hit me. But I know when we start to play games and I realize these are my last days wearing a (Kamehameha) jersey it’s going to hit hard," Heirakuji said. "Pretty soon we’re not going to have the same team ever again. That’s why we always encourage each other to play for our seniors, play for one another."

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Ranan Mamiya
Farrington running back

The senior rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries, and also returned a kick 89 yards for a touchdown in a 28-26 win over Kapolei on Saturday night at Roosevelt High School.

Mamiya also caught two passes for 25 yards to finish with 232 all-purpose yards. He is averaging 16.8 yards per rushing attempt.

HONOR ROLL

Football

» Justin Balisican, Kauai: rushed for 160 yards, three TDs against Damien

» Terell Johnson, Campbell: rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns against Moanalua

» Jensen McDaniel, Kaiser: rushed for 159 yards, TD against Waianae

» McKenzie Milton, Mililani: passed for 270 yards (13-for-15) and two TDs against Kailua

» Sean Noda, Kaimuki: rushed for 152 yards and three TDs against Anuenue

» Kalanimoku Pauole, Leilehua: passed for 200 yards (18-for-22) and four touchdowns against McKinley

» Micah Teal, St. Francis: rushed for 101 yards, TD against Holy Trinity (Canada)

» Kalakaua Timoteo, Mililani: four receptions for 134 yards, TD against Kailua

FOOTBALL TOP 10
The Top 10 football teams as voted on by coaches and media from around the state. First-place votes in parentheses. Ten points for first-place votes, nine for second, eight for third, etc.

» Also receiving votes: Lahainaluna 14, Hilo 9, Moanalua 8, Iolani 5, Kaiser 3, Maui 3.

VOLLEYBALL TOP 10
The Top 10 volleyball teams as voted on by coaches and media from around the state. First-place votes in parentheses. Ten points for first-place votes, nine for second, eight for third, etc.

» Also receiving votes: University 13, Farrington 8, St. Francis 7, Hawaii Baptist 6, Kaiser 5, King Kekaulike 4, Kalaheo 2, Waiakea 1, Kailua 1, Le Jardin 1.