Tulsa’s Alualu still ‘dangerous’

Trinity Alualu is finally getting the playing time she’s wanted and it seems Tulsa is better for it.

After transferring to Tulsa from Blinn Junior College in Texas, Alualu played primarily as a serving and defensive specialist last season as a junior.

This year, Alualu, a 2013 Farrington High graduate, has nearly doubled her kill attempts in half as many matches and is third on the team in kills per set.

At 13-3, the Golden Hurricane are just two wins away from matching last season’s total with 16 regular-season matches left.

Alualu is averaging 2.12 kills per set for Tulsa, which is 2-2 in American Conference play heading into Friday’s match against Temple.

“We’re 13-3, so it’s been pretty good and a pretty successful year so far,” Alualu said. “The good thing about our conference is that there are so many different teams that are capable of winning and each day is a new challenge.”

Alualu began her collegiate career in junior college at a school in Texas she had never visited before arriving for her first classes.

She was a second-team NJCAA All-American as a sophomore and went 80-4 in her two seasons at Blinn College.

Unlike her decision to attend Blinn, Alualu had a chance to visit Tulsa before deciding to make the jump to Division I athletics.

“One of the big things for me was being able to have a family away from home because I know most of us islanders tend to get homesick when we move away from the islands,” Alualu said. “Tulsa gave me that. It’s a beautiful campus — not too big and not too small. It was a perfect fit.”

Alualu is one of more than 60 volleyball players who graduated from Hawaii high schools competing at the Division I level at 45 different schools.

She hasn’t met many people from Hawaii at her current school, but has played against many teams with players representing the islands at the Division I level.

“When we do see each other, it’s a really big deal,” Alualu said. “It’s so rare to meet someone from (Hawaii) at school, so it’s really fun to see people and play against people from Hawaii.”

Alualu has taken on a bigger load at outside hitter this season but is still dangerous as a server.

As a junior, she finished 36th in the country in service aces with 43. This year, she has 17 in 16 matches.

The Hurricane play their next two matches at home before going on the road for four straight matches that will play a big role in determining the outcome of Tulsa’s season.

“We have a lot of confidence in this team we have this year,” Alualu said. “The success we’re having is (due to) the hard work we’ve put in every day, and I think because of it, there is a definitely a lot to be excited for.”