Moanalua’s Ponce primed for OIA run

A 5-foot 2 outside hitter doesn’t look very intimidating on paper, but Moanalua senior Katiana Ponce challenges any doubters.

As an undersized front-row player, Ponce isn’t intimidated by taller opponents across the net, using her 31-inch vertical jump to go around, over and off the block.

"It’s fun trying to get past them. I just swing as hard as I can," she said.

That strategy seemed to work this preseason in the Ann Kang Volleyball Invitational, in which Moanalua placed second. Ponce was the lone Hawaii player to be named to the all-tournament team and led Na Menehune with seven kills in the final, along with Erin Perez and Silerolia Gaogao.

"It’s amazing because the whole tournament was full of really tall girls going to these (Division I) schools. There was a lot of talent, and she played really well against them. It didn’t matter how tall or short she is," Moanalua head coach Tommy Lake said.

This year, Lake has shifted Ponce from her former libero position to outside hitter.

"It’s something different, but I like it," Ponce said. "You feel more free as an outside, and I can still play all the way around."

Besides it "being more fun" (according to Ponce), the swap allows Lake to give another girl more playing time. And with Ponce playing front and back row, "it’s like we have two liberos on the court," Lake said.

As for Ponce, "I don’t really care what position I play, I just want to be on the court all the time."

Her success is a result of her commitment to the sport and natural athleticism. Ponce says that volleyball takes up most of her life: practicing nearly every day for Moanalua, and four times a week during club season for Maunalani.

"Volleyball is just my passion," she said. "I’ve watched my sisters grow up and do it, and it made me want to do the same thing."

As a member of the Ponce family, she practically has all-state printed on her jersey. She grew up in the gym, watching and learning from older sisters Kaylee and Kristen. Kaylee made honorable-mention all-state in 2008 for Moanalua and Kristen racked up ILH honors and was named to the all-state second team for Kamehameha in 2003. Ponce has kept the family tradition going, garnering all-state honors in the libero position as a sophomore and being named to the Oahu Interscholastic Association’s first team in 2009 and 2010.

"She’s really fast and just so quick on the court with really good ball control. She’s one of the best liberos, definitely top five in the state," Lake said. " ‘Ana competes really hard, and the thing that’s really fun about coaching her is that she doesn’t take everything too seriously. She has fun playing the game."

Ponce would like to play at the collegiate level, hopefully at a West Coast school with an engineering program. But for now, she sets her sights on the goal that has evaded her team since freshman year: the OIA championship.

Since 2008, Moanalua has dominated in the regular season, but never sealed the deal in the playoffs.

"Every year we’ve come in second (in the OIA), but I think we can actually win this year. We’re sick of coming in second."

Despite her shy demeanor, Ponce has stepped into the role of co-captain for Na Menehune this year, hoping to lead her team to the final. They’ve already reached a milestone this season, sweeping three-time defending OIA champion Kahuku, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13, last Tuesday.

Ponce is still riding high after the victory.

"I felt excited and accomplished after we beat them," Ponce said. "It’s one step closer to winning the OIA championship and one less game we have to worry about."