Iolani volleyball standout Ainuu commits to top-ranked Texas

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – It’s commitment season for many prep athletes, with more players announcing their college plans.

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That includes an ʻIolani volleyball standout who still has two years of high school left.

Junior Taimane Ainuu is already one of the best players in the county, and recently earned a spot on the under-19 USA national team.

“When I got the text that I made the roster for U19, I was running up and down screaming because I was so nervous because I would hear about these girls and I don’t think anybody’s heard about me until now,” said Ainuu.

Get ready to hear her name even more. The Makakilo native has committed to the University of Texas, one of the top-ranked programs in the nation.

She even turned down offers from powerhouse schools like Wisconsin, Nebraska, and USC.

“My first call was with Texas at midnight and I was so nervous going in. I didn’t want them to be my first call going in because I was so nervous but as I was going in they made me feel really comfortable,” said Ainuu.

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The Hawaii connections already in place were part of why she felt so at ease.

“Rella Binney, she was on my first club team, so it was just like I was really comfortable with her and I talked with her a lot about this. Even Saige Kaahaaina-Torres, she’s on the national team now. I looked up to her when she was setting over there, so I think just having those Hawaii role models are just super nice,” said Ainuu.

Her announcement caps off a busy sophomore season leading Iolani to a state championship, then earning MaxPreps Hawaii Player of the Year honors.

These accomplishments are all steps in the right direction to get her to her final goal.

“I want to make the national team, be in the USA gym again and then hopefully play professional. Then hopefully I can be on the Olympic roster one day,” said Ainuu.

Ainuu has already made the under-19 national team roster, but next month, she’ll have to fight for a spot to travel with the team.

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If she makes it, they’ll compete in Costa Rica.