Maglio’s game has risen as stretch run nears for UH volleyball

The “speak softly and carry a big block ” that has been Emily Maglio’s mantra has become “speak a little louder and carry an even bigger block.”

As the 6-foot-3 middle has become more of a vocal leader on the court for No. 15 Hawaii, her game has matched that rise in volume. The Canadian national ranks 21st in the NCAA with 1.38 blocks per set, helping Hawaii lead the Big West in blocks (2.78).

That Maglio also is tied for the conference lead in hitting percentage at .384 is a point of pride and pique. Had it not been for last month’s .000 hitting performance at Long Beach State — in Hawaii’s lone conference loss — she would easily be ahead of UC Santa Barbara’s Phoebe Grunt.

Maglio would like to remedy both outcomes — a better hitting percentage as well as a better finish for the Rainbow Wahine — in tonight’s rematch with the 49ers. A win over The Beach would go a long way toward Hawaii earning the conference title and the automatic berth into the NCAA tournament that goes with it.

“It was not a good game overall for us,” said Maglio, who had just two kills in the five-set loss — she averages 2.34 per set — but was in on six blocks against the 49ers. “(Tonight) is the deciding game of the conference. If we did not make the NCAA tournament it would be a big disappointment for us and the rest of the state.”

Hawaii is expecting one of its largest crowds of the season for the rivalry match. Maglio, from Coquitlam, British Columbia (pop. 128,840) is still getting used to the number of fans who come to watch the Wahine.

“I still get nervous before the games,” the 19-year-old said. “I never played in front of that many people before coming here. Maybe a couple of hundred, not thousands.

“I’ve gotten more comfortable with the people and everything that college volleyball has to offer.”

The first time Maglio saw the campus was after she had committed, showing up the summer before her freshman year and getting ready for double-days.

“I didn’t have any expectations,” she said. “I didn’t know where I wanted to go at first. I’m so glad I ended up here in such a beautiful place and being part of this amazing program.”

Maglio also showcased her athleticism in helping Hawaii to the inaugural Big West beach volleyball title. She and senior Katie Spieler, playing at the No. 1 flight, were the conference’s pairs team of the year en route to AVCA All-America honors.

“I’m a big advocate that one sport helps the other,” said Jeff Hall, UH’s indoor associate head coach and beach head coach. “It helps footwork, arm work, your overall game.

“With Emily, the benefits were 10-fold. She played at a high level in a high-pressure flight at No. 1. It helped her become more of a leader. She is one of our better defenders and we are looking at her moving to opposite (indoor) next season. Because of her athleticism, I think she can make that transition.”

Maglio wouldn’t mind that, saying that “most middles dream to play outside.”

“I think the beach has helped a lot, jumping higher, seeing the block better,” Maglio said. “I don’t think Dave (head coach Shoji) would have trusted me to play back row if I hadn’t played beach.

But I’d love to play indoor as long as I can and, if they want me overseas, I’d love to do that. I have felt that beach is something people can fall back on when they’ve gone as far as they could indoors. We’ll see where life takes me.”

Her path has been one of growth, according to her teammates. Junior hitter Kalei Greeley has roomed with Maglio since their freshman year.

“She’s become more of a vocal presence on the court,” Greeley said. “She’s grown as a person, too, is more outgoing and more of a leader.

“She’s become a phenomenal player, is very smart and has become one of our go-tos.”

And Maglio will only get better, Shoji predicts.

“She has a lot of upside still, a lot to learn,” he said. “She’s long and lean, and that’s exactly what you want in a volleyball player.

“When she first got here, she wouldn’t say a word. She’s become a stalwart on the beach and I think that’s helped overcome her shyness. In the 21⁄2 years she’s been here, she has blossomed as a player and a person.”