Spike and Serve turns Hawaii high school volleyball stars into national commits

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Spike and Serve volleyball club’s 17s and 18s girls teams feature some of the most elite players from across the state.

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Several have already locked up commitments to some of the biggest names in collegiate volleyball.

“I think it’s super amazing just seeing where everybody has chosen for their college,” Kahuku player and BYU commit Haley Kotobalavu said.

Most of the athletes earned collegiate attention through Spike and Serve, traveling to the continent during the club season to compete in national tournaments.

“To get that kind of exposure and see play different teams and different styles that we need,” Punahou player and Northwestern commit Zoe Keaney said. “It’s really hard coming from such a small island and small place.”

“I think it was great practice for being able to go to new places and get to know new people without feeling nervous or uncomfortable,” Mid-Pacific player and Wesleyan commit Hanae Twer added.

The athletes have built a sisterhood within the team, all working together to perform on the court and reach the next level.

“These girls are like my sisters and on the court playing with them is so much fun,” Kalani player and Washington State commit Rohm Takamoto said.

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That bond endures during the high school season, even when the athletes suit up for their respective schools.

“It’s really friendly, but then when the game starts, I got to walk in and realize that they’re a competitor at that point,” Mid-Pacific player and UNLV commit Tatiana Taylor said.

Spike and Serve founder Kevin Wong has seen countless athletes advance to the collegiate level, and his pride in this cohort is no different.

“It’s pretty humbling to get to work with some world class athletes now, like these girls,” Wong said.

The commits add their names to a growing list of collegiate players to come out of the program.

“Really inspired me to push like push my limits and be a really hard worker and be the best player I am today,” Moanalua player and Baylor commit Surfia Grounds said.

“Looking at the wall and now seeing my name on there, I’m just like wow,” Le Jardin player and Point Loma commit Summer Flores said. “All that hard work paid off.”

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