Beyond the spectacular statistics, Micah Ma‘a did more than pound the rock for the state’s best boys volleyball team.

The Punahou senior led thoroughly without easing up and without overwhelming. He directed his aggression and ferocity on the court, taking down every opponent as only he could: slamming from the left side, the right side, and too often — in the view of every foe — from the back row.

Ma‘a’s prodigious vertical leap and powerful swing made it easy for voters in the Star-Advertiser Boys Volleyball All-State panel. They voted the 6-foot-4 outside hitter player of the year.

The voting was unanimous.

"Micah’s been a great leader for our nine juniors," Punahou coach Rick Tune said. "He has gained a better understanding of when to do what. Leaders have to be flexible and have a multitude of tricks in their bag. He does his best work just by playing hard. He’s one of our hardest workers on the court. Micah doesn’t have a second gear, he has a first gear.

"He has also been one of the best teammates, willing to take responsibility and carry the burden when he has to, but he’s quick to give others strokes and spread the success."

Tune recalled a moment on championship night when the team trophy was being presented.

"I told him, ‘It’s your last time, go up there and take the trophy into your hands. He said, ‘No, I don’t want to do that. I’ll let J.B. (Kam) go grab it. It’s J.B.’s moment.’ That’s the kind of kid he is. He’s had a lot of time in the spotlight and that’s not an objective of his."

Kam, an All-State basketball player, was the only other senior on the Buffanblu squad besides Ma‘a.

Ma‘a rose to every challenge in the state’s most competitive league, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu. Then he lifted the Buffanblu through the state tournament. In the final against Kamehameha-Hawaii, Ma‘a had 26 kills (.345) and 15 digs in a four-set win, capping a run of four state championships in four seasons.

Ma‘a completed his prep career with four All-State Fab 15 selections, and with previous standout hitter Larry Tuileta gone to USC, he embraced the role of go-to hitter. Even with a scholarship to UCLA in hand, Ma‘a’s intensity level was constant. Controlled fury, it seemed at times.

"He’s super competitive," Tune said. "Once there’s a competitive vibe in practice, there’s no way he’s backing down. Doesn’t matter who that’s against. It’s hard for a lot of kids to learn that, that it’s OK to be that way and still be classy, and incredibly competitive. Those two things are not mutually exclusive."

Ma‘a said he and Tuileta were much more vocal as leaders a year ago. This year, he was more of a "mediator," Ma‘a said.

"I didn’t have to do much of that (this year). These guys are pretty much grown up. They’re leaders. I was just kind of the mediator sometimes, I guess, with any problems people had. That’s what I thought I was doing, at least. On the court, our guys are really skilled," he said.

Kamehameha-Hawaii, thriving despite the graduation of former All-State player of the year Evan Enriques, reached the state final under coach Guy Enriques. That was enough to persuade coaches and media to vote Enriques All-State coach of the year.

Also receiving votes were Hana’s Kimo Helekahi, Tune, Leahi Hall of King Kekaulike, Teoni Obrey of Hawaii Baptist, Alan Cabanting of Moanalua and Kainoa Downing of Kamehameha.

STAR-ADVERTISER’S FAB 15

Player of the Year: Micah Ma’a, Punahou

Coach of the Year: Guy Enriques, Kamehameha-Hawaii

ENLARGE CHART