Along a familiar path

Consider the odds of playing volleyball in college.

How many of those on the 1,230 teams that competed at July’s USAV Girls Junior National Championships will find their way onto a collegiate roster at any level?

What are the chances that it will be for an elite Division I program such as Hawaii with a storied history exceeded only by the stature of its coach? Especially when someone has been playing the sport for only six years, half the time that others have been training in the club ranks, way less time than others have been playing on the beach or playing around with family in the back yard.

Heck, some of the young floor-wipers at the Rainbow Wahine matches have spent more time touching the Stan Sheriff Center court than has Keani Passi.

Still, here she is, seriously contending for a starting spot — not just playing time — as an outside hitter for No. 17 Hawaii. After redshirting last season, the 2012 AVCA National Junior College Player of the Year out of the College of Southern Idaho is ready for the next leg of what some might call an improbable journey.

"I’m really excited and my family is really excited for the chance to see me play again," the 2011 Pearl City High graduate said. "I never thought about playing volleyball until my sophomore year but I grew up watching the Wahine. They were like celebrities to me."

One in particular was: Aneli Cubi-Otineru, who helped get Passi on the same path that she had taken before playing for Hawaii from 2007 to 2009. Cubi-Otineru, also the national junior college player of the year at Southern Idaho, approached Passi after a match between Pearl City and Kahuku.

"Aneli was coaching at Kahuku and asked me what my plans were for college," Passi said. "I told her that I didn’t really have any, no one had contacted me. She gave me a number, said to call this school, and I ended up there.

"It was one of the best things I ever did. It was a really good experience, one that taught me a lot. Being away from home, I grew up a lot."

Not only had Cubi-Otineru led CSI to a national championship, her sister Babes Kalulu was on the Eagles’ coaching staff. The footsteps were as easy to follow as those in the snow leading to the CSI gym in Twin Falls, Idaho.

"Aneli opened the door for Keani and opened her eyes to what could become possible," said Kalulu, who played for the Wahine in 1989. "Keani said she wanted to be just like Aneli, but didn’t think she’d ever be good enough. We told her that she could be but it would take her believing she should be and working hard to make it happen.

"She is so gifted, so athletic. It was awesome to see the growth during the season and from her first season to the second. She made up her mind to do whatever it took to get back home and be a Wahine. We talked to her about it, even after she committed (to UH), asked if she was really sure because it would be another level of volleyball there. She said she was ready."

What Passi wasn’t completely ready for was not being able to compete and contribute on the court last season. She had been playing sports since youth league and excelled in all, especially softball.

She earned nine letters for the Chargers, four in softball, three in volleyball and two in basketball. The OIA player of the year in volleyball quit basketball after her sophomore year in order to play club volleyball.

"It was rough not playing, mentally challenging to have to sit out," Passi said. "Especially watching the BYU match (a sweep that ended Hawaii’s postseason in the NCAA second round). I almost second-guessed the decision to redshirt, I wanted to be out there and help.

"It was definitely hard but it also made me hungrier for this season. I want to be able to help us go farther and I want to become a better player."

Wahine coach Dave Shoji’s expectations for the 5-foot-10 Passi are almost as high as her own.

"Definitely sitting out a year has helped her get used to this level," Shoji said. "She may be the most physical player we’ve ever had. I wouldn’t want to be blocking her."

Passi’s style of play is reminiscent of Cubi-Otineru, who helped Hawaii to its last final four appearance during her All-American season in 2009. But Kalulu has had to remind Passi to be patient when developing into that powerful presence.

"We still talk," Kalulu said. "Have had to tell her that I was tossing balls to Aneli when she was 5.

"Our staff (at CSI) is looking forward to following her this season. Personally to see the growth in a player that I’ve worked with is exciting and rewarding. "

Passi is in the unique position of being a veteran and a newcomer at the same time. She said she is still trying to find her role on the team.

"I’m in between," she said. "Even though I didn’t play last season, I was still here. I can help the (new) girls know what it is to be a Wahine, what is expected from us on and off the court.

"Expectations? We’ve got some big shoes to fill but I think we’re headed in the right direction."