Rainbow Wahine reel in middle blocker

“Quick” is quickly becoming Skyler Williams’ middle name. It describes her arm swing, her decision that volleyball was her sport and her choice to pursue her college career at Hawaii. The 6-foot-2 junior middle blocker at Mayfair High in Lakewood, Calif., is the third 2017 oral commit for the Rainbow Wahine.

Williams, a first-team All-Suburban League selection, hasn’t made her official campus visit, but “I’ve been following them, saw them play on TV, “ Williams told the Star-Advertiser in a phone call Tuesday. “The way they play volleyball made me want to play for them.”

Williams has only been playing volleyball for three years but quickly found success with the Monsoons. She was named the best offensive and most improved as a freshman, and was the MVP this past season as Mayfair won the league championship.

After two years with SoCal Juniors, Williams has moved to Seal Beach (Calif.) Volleyball Club, where she is being coached by former Wahine libero Alex Griffiths.

“She’s happy for me and proud of my decision,” Williams said of Griffiths, who played indoors for the Wahine in 2010-11 and beach in 2012. “She told me about her experiences playing libero for Hawaii.”

Hawaii coaches cannot discuss commitments until athletes sign a binding National Letter of Intent. Williams is expected to do so in November.

“She’s got a lot of upside,” Tony Rodriguez, Seal Beach VBC recruiting coordinator, said in a telephone call Tuesday. “She has a very quick arm, good read on the block. She’s a little raw, but what makes her stand out is her size and the way she moves.

“One thing I like about her is her focus on academics. She’s a good student, wants to be a nurse, and knows that Hawaii has an excellent (nursing) program. Not many kids know what they want to do, but she’s pretty clear what her goals are.”

Hawaii’s other 2017 commits are Shaney Lipscomb, a 6-1 middle/opposite, from San Diego, and Sophia Howling, a 6-2 middle from Venice, Calif.