Two liberos, one of the most prolific hitters in the country’s premier volleyball conference and a 6-foot-4 middle are heading to Hawaii next month.

Ali Longo, Penn State’s starting libero last season, is transferring to the Rainbow Wahine, along with Arizona State hitter Ashley Kastl, who was eighth in Pac-12 kills last year. Both have two years of eligibility remaining.

Stephanie Hagins, a 6-4 middle from Washington State, also is coming to Manoa, in part because of her friendship with Wahine Kaela Goodman. She has three years left.

The fourth new face — and only freshman — is not so new to Hawaii. Katie Spieler will join a large group competing to bolster the Wahine back row. Her aunt is Lisa (Strand) Ma‘a, who started on UH’s 1982 and ’83 NCAA championship teams.

Dave Shoji coached the Wahine then and will start his 38th season in August. He cannot comment on the new players until they are enrolled in summer classes in July, but the new players clearly fill a void.

Returning libero Emily Maeda, who just graduated, has one year of eligibility left and goes into the fall at the top of the depth chart. Longo and Spieler will be right there as Hawaii attempts to minimize the loss of three-time All-American Kanani Danielson, one of the country’s best ballhandlers.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

The Wahine also lost starting opposite Chanteal Satele to graduation. Emily Hartong, who earned All-America honors at middle last season, will join all-conference hitter Jane Croson on the outside in the fall. Kastl, who averaged nearly four kills a set for ASU, should also be in the mix.

She didn’t start in volleyball until eighth grade, but played all six rotations for the 9-22 Sun Devils last season and was a passer. Kastl admits to "falling in love" with Hawaii on a visit.

"I was born and raised in the Arizona desert," said the 6-footer from Phoenix. "I just knew when I asked for my release that I wanted something completely different."

Kastl already has her flight. She arrives June 27.

"When I committed I was so excited," she said. "I’ve heard so much. When I came over I found out it’s really not just a game there, it’s a lifestyle. It was so cool for me to see."

LONGO CAN DIG IT

Longo played in all but five sets for the ninth-ranked Nittany Lions last season. She led the team in digs (397) and had just 19 reception errors. The 5-6 defensive specialist from Littleton, Colo., also contributed 32 aces.

She termed her decision to transfer this spring "financial." UH offered immediate aid, coaches she felt comfortable with and a unique volleyball environment.

"I’m super excited to get out there," Longo said. "It’s a different style of volleyball, more West Coast than East Coast. They have a beach team now and I think it will be fun to train that way. I’m excited to work with the coaches and I heard the crowds are incredible."

SPIELER’S FAMILY TIES

Spieler’s mother, Kathy, is Ma‘a’s oldest sister and has been taking her daughter to the Santa Barbara, Calif., beaches to play since she was 4. Katie was named Dos Pueblos High School’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year in January because her grade-point average (4.71) nearly stands as tall as she does at 5-6.

"First I was looking at Ivy League schools — Dartmouth and Princeton," Spieler said. "Really good academic schools and I could play indoor there. When beach volleyball started, that was a big turning point for me. I love the beach and it will be a great opportunity to play indoors and beach. It was a big draw for me towards Hawaii. And having family there is amazing."

HUGE POTENTIAL

The addition of Hagins gives UH a fourth middle with huge potential and little experience. With Hartong rotating and Brittany Hewitt graduating early, sophomore Kalei Adolpho is the only Wahine middle who has started a collegiate match.

Hagins grew up in California and was on the Under Armour High School All-America Watch List for 2009-10. She was recruited to Washington State by Andrew Palileo, who left in her first year, when she redshirted.

Her friendship with Goodman and the Asics Rainbow club team led her to contact Hawaii. Now she has been accepted by UH and will be here in July for summer classes, just like the three other new players and Punahou graduate Tai Manu-Olevao, who committed early.

Hagins has been watching the Wahine on YouTube and communicating with Goodman and her club friends.

"I always really liked Hawaii’s culture," Hagins said. "I have never been there, but I loved everything about it. The people are super nice and volleyball is really good. I feel like it will help me reach my potential, get a lot better."

Hawaii opens its 2012 season Aug. 24 against Albany.