Family tree keeps growing in volleyball

Faith, hope and timing.

Had the volleyball fates decided otherwise, the Strand twins would have ended up as teammates at UC Santa Barbara and not on different sides of the net in the early 1980s.

Instead, Lisa chose Hawaii, winning two NCAA titles, and Kelly, after two seasons at UCSB, transferred to Cal Poly for an all-conference career under former UH men’s coach Mike Wilton. Each married their college sweetheart — Lisa to Rainbow Warrior Pono Ma’a and Kelly to Mustangs basketball standout Jim Van Winden — and started separate branches of their volleyball family tree.

There will be a little replanting Saturday when Kelly’s daughter, Adlee Van Winden, plays in the Stan Sheriff Center for the first time when Cal Poly (8-3) meets No. 12 Hawaii (10-1). The 6-foot-1 outside hitter is making an early bid for Big West Freshman of the Year honors after earning honors in the first three weeks of the season.

"Playing at Hawaii has been something I have been looking forward to for a while now," said Van Winden, who ranks fourth in the conference in kills (160) and kills per set (3.81). "Not only are they a challenging team that will provide great competitive competition, but they also have a huge crowd that will create an intense atmosphere.

"I have been to a few UH volleyball games before to support Katie (Spieler, her cousin) and Aunty Lisa so I have an idea of what it will be like."

Spieler, a redshirt walk-on on the 2012 indoor team, is one of the top beach players for Hawaii. An AVCA All-American, she won four CVBA events this summer in California, two when playing with Van Winden’s younger sister Torrey (who has committed to UCLA indoor for 2016).

"It’s been so fun growing up in the volleyball family, everyone is so passionate about it," said Spieler, daughter of another Strand sister, Kathy. "Now that we’re older, it’s amazing to see all the accomplishments, how all the hard work has paid off for everyone.

"Everyone is doing a lot of big of things. It’s all about the love for the game."

Strand-Ma’a is part of the OC Sports broadcast team for Wahine volleyball. She and her twin played against each other twice in college, both times when Kelly was at UCSB and, both times, the Wahine won in Klum Gym.

"It is rare when you have to play against your best friend," Strand-Ma’a said after picking up her twin at the airport Thursday. "But like I tell my kids, it’s just a game.

"It’s so amazing that we have the chance to watch this next generation play. The way it’s worked out … it’s been luck and faith."