It is a road not everyone could … should … would travel.

It is, as Robert Frost wrote nearly a century ago, "the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

It is the road taken by Hawaii junior outside hitter Tai Manu-Olevao on her journey to find herself as a volleyball player as well as a person. It is one where the intangibles of faith and trust don’t diverge when meeting the very visible on-court power and intensity at the crossroads; but rather have become steadfast travel companions.

Manu-Olevao’s decision again to sit out Sunday matches due to her religious beliefs did not come without conflict, both inner and outer. Adding to the burden were uncertainties regarding some other choices, including whether to go on her mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Yet without conflict there can be no peace. The Rainbow Wahine assistant co-captain has found it in the realization that this is where she is supposed to be, doing what she is meant to do.

"It is difficult not playing and it’s not," said Manu-Olevao, who sat out matches against San Diego State and San Francisco and will miss Oct. 26 against UC Santa Barbara. "As an athlete, it is hard just watching and it’s frustrating because I want to help my team.

"This is a prestigious Division I college program and it was hard to talk to Dave (Coach Shoji) about my decision (last year) because I had played on Sundays before.

"But people change and I feel this is the right choice for me."

While it is difficult to leave Manu-Olevao’s emerging leadership and her team-leading 3.31 kill average and 20 aces on the sidelines, Shoji said he accepts her choice, one the three-time all-state selection out of Punahou School made after her freshman season.

"I wasn’t going to tell her no," said Shoji, who also had a tough decision to make in 2012. When then-sophomore hitter Jane Croson was suspended for breaking team rules, Shoji asked Manu-Olevao to burn her redshirt year eight weeks and 14 matches into the season.

Manu-Olevao’s role change from redshirt to starter as a freshman is akin to the change from supporting cast last year to designated O1 this year. It is the position heavy with responsibility, carried the past few seasons by All-American Emily Hartong, a position that requires taking the most swings and usually the trouble, out-of-system sets.

The junior has struggled with consistency but has taken a cue from Hartong’s resiliency.

"I count playing with Hartong as a blessing. She was a wonderful example," Manu-Olevao said. "Every time she hit into the block, you never saw her down or pout or anything. She always focused on the next, focused on the next, and that’s what I’m trying to do. Focus on the next because you can’t do anything about what is passed.

"Trying to fill Hartong’s shoes is impossible. That girl could do anything. I know I’m not 100 percent all the time. I’m trying to do whatever I can to help my team."

Shoji said he’s noticed a visible change in Manu-Olevao this year.

"She’s a different player," he said. "I think she came back really focused on volleyball.

"She’s not getting down on herself. She’s absolutely better mentally, has better skills. Everything about her is better and I have a lot of confidence in her."

Case in point: last Friday’s road opener at UC Davis. Manu-Olevao had one kill and was hitting negative in Set 1. She had three kills in Set 2 while getting above .000 and was nearly unstoppable in Set 3, with nine kills against two errors. The final two kills lifted Hawaii from being down 24-23 to gaining match point at 25-24; the Wahine finished off the sweep 26-24.

Senior middle Kalei Adolpho has seen the growth in Manu-Olevao as well.

"She is taking on a huge role," said Adolpho who, along with sophomore setter Tayler Higgins, are also members of the LDS church. "Over the years she has become a better player, becoming more consistent.

"The thing about Tai is what you seen on the court isn’t who she is as a person. She is very intense when playing but she’s a cool, fun person to be with."

The 20-year-old is as complex and diverse as the music mixes she puts together for team practices. A little reggae, some hip-hop and Jawaiian.

"I like to mix it up a lot," she said. "I don’t want it to be just me getting pumped.

"It is different this year. Before, Dave wasn’t too fond of music during practice but now he’s all about it. But one time he brought in his own music and we said, ‘Are we at a funeral home?’ "

Just as Shoji has adjusted, so has Manu-Olevao, beginning with the family’s move from Hilo to Kahuku when she was in eighth grade. And the move from Kahuku to town that made it easier to attend Punahou.

Her future includes a degree in family resources, thoughts of a possible career as a nurse working with children, and having a family of her own. If she decides to go on a church mission, it would be after her playing career is pau.

"When it didn’t work out to go on my mission, it was a huge thing off my mind," Manu-Olevao said. "I knew that there was a reason for me to be here this season."

Faith, trust and no regrets about the road taken.