The first clue to where Megan Huff’s comfort level is on the volleyball court? She prefers to wear the oxymoron of athletic wear in practice: long shorts.

The attire favored by basketball players suits Huff since she has seen herself on that court since second grade. The goal now is to see herself as a volleyball player, not just at the Division I level but at one of the traditional power names in the sport: Hawaii.

The freshman middle-turned-outside hitter is four years into the game, less than a third of the time most of the other Rainbow Wahine first-year players have invested in volleyball. But, as Utah Jazz coach Frank Layden was famously known to say, "You can’t teach height."

Nor, in the 6-foot-3 Huff’s case, athleticism, physicality and desire. At a program known for developing players, she has found a home to further her goal of becoming a professional athlete.

"I looked at quite a few schools, a lot for both volleyball and basketball," the Washington state native said. "I took my time, taking all my visits. Hawaii was my fourth official but I kind of already knew I was coming here.

"At that time, I didn’t know much about volleyball and my (high school) coach said, ‘You know, Hawaii’s pretty good at volleyball.’ I have figured that out."

Todd Beamer High coach Pat Taitano, a 1993 UH graduate, helped Huff with that.

"I tried to explain to her what a big deal it was, that they are the queen of the hill," Taitano said. "She didn’t quite understand it in the beginning. Here in Washington, any kid with height is playing basketball first and volleyball competes with basketball, soccer and fast-pitch softball for those athletes.

"Megan is one of those kids who was late to the sport but dove right into it. She’s got a pretty bubbly personality but she’s a very determined, very driven person."

Which is why "Huffdiggity" — as she is known on Instagram — chose to play volleyball … for now. There are thoughts about perhaps also playing basketball for the Rainbow Wahine but that discussion remains on the back burner.

"I love basketball and volleyball, but volleyball is really challenging for me, and I like that," said Huff, an All-South Puget Sound League pick in both sports. "Because I’m so new to it, I think eventually I could become a really good player if I work really hard. It’s why I’m here. I feel like by my senior year I’ll be developed enough to go to the next level."

The newness has been a plus. Huff originally was a middle blocker in high school, but Taitano said he moved her to the outside when the Titans’ passing troubles didn’t allow them to run the middle attack enough to utilize her.

Hawaii’s decision to train her on the outside also was out of necessity. Nikki Taylor injured her elbow during the summer, making her return an unknown. So Huff was added to the OH depth chart.

"We don’t usually play four middles, have gotten away with three, and with Nikki out, we were a little thin on the outside," Rainbow Wahine coach Dave Shoji said. "She probably isn’t ready to play full-time but she’s made a lot of progress since getting here."

"I think she gets better every day," associate coach Scott Wong added. "She wants to learn, she wants to get better. There’s a lot of up-side to her."

Huff has played in 11 matches. She has 13 kills and 14 total blocks in 19 sets. But with junior hitter Tai Manu-Olevao sitting out Sunday’s match with UC Santa Barbara due to religious reasons, Huff gets more time during homecoming weekend.

The biology major also has thoughts of a medical career and being part of the international humanitarian group "Doctors Without Borders." It seemingly mirrors that of her volleyball future, without limits.