It is a cliche — that there is no “I” in “team.”

But, what there is, if you listen to Mamane Namahoe — really listen — is what is embedded in the word “team.” It is the true sense of kakou. All of us.

It’s the “language of we,” which is one of togetherness and collaboration. It’s why, when Namahoe speaks to his Rainbow Warriors volleyball teammates, they listen, even though their reserve junior libero has played in all of 38 sets over three seasons.

They all know that Namahoe hasn’t needed to be an impact player on the court to make an impact. There is a reason he was voted a captain.

“Mamane sets the standards in so many ways for us,” junior setter Joe Worsley said as No. 7 Hawaii prepared for this week’s matches against UC San Diego. “Whether it’s in the weight room, the locker room, practice … he makes a difference.

“He was one of my hosts on my official visit, so I got to know him then. He’s been in the program the longest, and one of the things I’ve noticed this season is his leadership. We try to incorporate the Hawaiian culture as much as we can, and as a Native Hawaiian, he really helps us with understanding that. He’s really impressive.”

Born and raised in Hilo, Namahoe said he did not read or write English until after sixth grade. He attended Na Wahi, a Hawaiian immersion school named for Iosepa Kaho‘oluhi Nawahiokalani‘opu‘u, a well-known figure in Hawaiian history of the late 1800s.

“We did speak English at home because my father didn’t speak Hawaiian,” Namahoe said. “We’re very connected to our culture, to our family.

“It’s a big part of the reason I wanted to come to Hawaii and play for the Warriors. The common answer, of course, is you want to play in front of your family and friends. For me, it also was that it was close enough that I could go home like I did last weekend, but far enough that I could grow into my own person, be my own man.”

Namahoe was a two-time Honolulu Star-Advertiser Fab 15 player and three-time All-BIIF first-team selection out of Waiakea High. But the credentials didn’t get him much notice. His only offer was from a small school in Iowa, but “not many beaches there,” he said. “You appreciate our environment even more, especially when we go on (road) trips.

“You appreciate volleyball, too. Playing here is so much fun. There always is such a positive energy in the arena. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing for Hawaii or the other team — they’re cheering because they love volleyball.”

As much as he has a passion for the sport, Namahoe has transferred that to his school work. When he changed majors, from electrical engineering to geography with a concentration in geotechnology, it changed everything.

“School became more fun than volleyball,” he said. “It’s strange, but once I decided what I wanted to do with my life, it just clicked.”

Namahoe spent last summer working for the Department of Water, where he used the RGIS software that creates one map from the overlaying maps of pipes, valves and streets. That experience helped him decide to give up his final year of eligibility and graduate this May.

“Now is the time to finally move on,” he said. “I have zero regrets. I’ve given this program four years, tried my best in every single category to help this program move forward. I’ve enjoyed the ride.

“It’s like the team. We still have a lot of work to do. We have the losing streak, but an hour after the last game (at Pepperdine on March 18, which extended the losing streak to four), we began recuperating. It was a good wake-up call. Now it’s time to move forward.”

There’s just two more regular-season home matches after this week’s series with the Tritons. Senior night is against current No. 1 Long Beach State on April 14, when Namahoe and senior libero Tui Tuileta will be honored.

“It’s been nice to be around Mamane ever since I transferred back home,” said Tuileta, who joined the Warriors last season after beginning his career at USC. “We have a lot in common. He loves volleyball and being with these guys. It’s pretty much why I’m here.”

“It’s about the team,” Nahamoe said. “Always.”