During her Hawaii volleyball career, Faith Ma’afala was known for her versatility, ensuring time on the court. In her three-year stint with the Rainbow Wahine — including a redshirt year — the Kamehameha product was a serving/defensive specialist, a setter, a cheerleader and, perhaps most valuable of all, a role model for hard work.
Ma’afala’s last appearances in the Stan Sheriff Center were for her senior night and graduation, when she received her degree in human development and family studies. That was 2018.
It’s 2019 and Ma’afala is back with Hawaii, where her versatility and work ethic will be utilized in a new role. She is the new director of volleyball operations.
Her duties include budgeting, meal planning and more — “everything you don’t see I take care of,” Ma’afala said. “Our gear, making sure time is logged in according to compliance, communicating with the coaching staff.
“It’s everything behind the scenes. It’s how I’ve lived my life, wanting to be what people need me to be for them.”
This wasn’t Plan A. That was supposed to be helping with the Punahou girls volleyball program, the varsity team coached by Ma’afala’s aunt Tanya Fuamatu-Anderson, the 1993 NAIA player of the year at Hawaii Hilo.
Plan B is looking good so far.
“I have been coached by the best and I want to pass that along,” Ma’afala said. “I’m excited about staying with the (Wahine) program, I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity.”
Ma’afala replaces another former Wahine in the position. Aven Lee, a 1996 teammate of Ah Mow and assistant Angelica Ljungqvist, was the DOVO the past two years.
“We are all excited to have her on board to continue the level of excellence for Rainbow Wahine volleyball,” Hawaii coach Robyn Ah Mow said when announcing the hire on Wednesday. “Faith is a great addition to our staff. She has a strong work ethic, works well with everyone and learns quickly.
“I’m confident that Faith will also help mentor our players into confident, strong women, both on and off the court.”
Ma’afala helped Kamehameha win two state championships, book-ending her Warriors career with titles in 2010 as a freshman and 2013 as a senior. She spent two seasons at Southern Utah before transferring to Hawaii, redshirting in 2016.
As a senior last year, Ma’afala started 26 of 27 matches, led the team with 652 assists (6.39 aps) and was second with 29 aces. She was one of only three players to play all 102 sets along with senior libero Tita Akiu and junior setter-hitter Norene Iosia.
Hawaii opens practice this morning. The Wahine’s first match is against San Diego on Aug. 30 in the Hawaiian Airlines Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center.
