One only needs to look at Alohi Robins-Hardy’s double-barreled last name to figure out she was destined to be a volleyball standout.
Robins-Hardy, a 6-foot-1 setter for Kamehameha, is the offspring of former University of Hawaii volleyball players Mary Robins (1986, ’88-89) and Damien Hardy (1986, ’88-90).
"I’ve been born into volleyball," Robins-Hardy said.
Her mother added, "volleyball is the family sport."
Robins-Hardy, a junior, was listed among the top five of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State Fab 15 during her freshman and sophomore seasons.
"She does a lot of things for us," Warriors coach Chris Blake said. "One of her strengths is her versatility. She does a lot of things in the front and back court, she has a lot of experience, and her overall knowledge of the game is very good."
In last season’s state Division I tournament, Robins-Hardy averaged 28.5 assists in four matches for the runner-up Warriors.
Kamehameha graduated 10 seniors from that team, including Robins-Hardy’s sister, Kawaimana.
"I’m going to have to lead this team as well as others on the team, the other returnees," Robins-Hardy said. "We have to lead the team to get better every day. I’ve learned a lot from those who have gone off to college. I feel confident the other girls can be good leaders because we had good leaders to learn from."
The Warriors’ other top players this season, according to Blake, are junior setter Faith Maafala, senior middle blocker Pikake Laumauna and senior libero Kalehua Katagiri.
"She is an awesome player," Maafala said of Robins-Hardy. "She brings a lot of energy to the team. She’s smart with her placement. She can be aggressive and calm when she needs to."
Maafala, also a third-year varsity member, added Robins-Hardy has been a model teammate.
"Off the court, she’s funny, an outgoing person and down to earth," Maafala said. "She’s very intelligent. I always go to her when I need help with English (class)."
Blake said Robins-Hardy also will see time at hitter this season with Maafala at setter.
"We’re looking at capitalizing on her versatility and using her as an attacker," Blake said.
Family ties
Robins-Hardy started playing volleyball at age 5 and later joined the Maunalani Volleyball Club, where both of her parents coached. Her father also coached at Kamehameha and Hawaii Pacific University.
All of Robins-Hardy’s first uncles and aunties on her mother’s side played volleyball in college. Duke Robins and Alii Robins played at UH, Fred Robins played at UCLA, and auntie Danielle Robins competed for Chaminade. There are many other relatives who play the sport.
"It’s so weird, to be honest, but when they were younger I tried to get them into other sports," Mary Robins said of her daughters. "Too much feedback and suggestions. We’re too engrossed in volleyball sometimes."
Robins-Hardy also played soccer, baseball, basketball and flag football growing up. She even considered trying out for the Kamehameha football team in the seventh grade, according to her mother.
Dual-sport star
Robins-Hardy also is a member of the Warriors basketball team. Last season, the guard/forward averaged nine points per game for the Warriors and was named to the Interscholastic League of Honolulu first team.
When asked which sport she envisions herself playing at the next level, she said: "Mostly basketball, but I want to try and play both."
Robins-Hardy mentioned UCLA, Stanford, Oregon, Oregon State and Pepperdine as schools of interest.
Earlier this year, Robins-Hardy missed a majority of her club volleyball season to focus on basketball.
She was named to the Team Aloha all-star basketball team, which played in Santa Ana, Calif., in April. Robins-Hardy continued with basketball until recently.
"I went into basketball this summer," she said.
For now, Robins-Hardy is focused on volleyball.
"I have to get back into the swing of things, but it’ll get back to me," she said. "I feel like I’m back into it already. I’m ready to go."