Hawaii women’s volleyball recruits likely to be tall, talented

They will be young. They will be tall. They will be good.

That’s the trifecta Hawaii is expected to hit next season with its incoming class of freshmen. The Rainbow Wahine are expected to sign five players during the National Letter of Intent period that begins Wednesday, three of whom are listed at 6 feet 3.

The Class of 2019 is projected to include 6-3 middle Amber Igiede from Baton Rouge, La.; Hanna Hellvig, a 6-3 hitter from Falkoping, Sweden; and 6-3 middle Tiffany Westerberg from Maple Ridge, British Columbia. Two 6-foot hitters expected to sign are Kamehameha’s Braelyn Akana and Riley Wagoner from Dublin, Ohio.

While Hawaii coaches are not allowed to speak about commitments until paperwork is received and cleared, Igiede’s high school coach, Rob Smith, had much to say about the middle who has played varsity for St. Michael the Archangel for four seasons.

“She is a big, physical kid who hits a heavy, heavy ball and has a competitive drive,” Smith said in a phone call from Baton Rouge. “I don’t know what (Hawaii’s) plans are, but she’s been a middle for us and I could see her playing middle or right side in college. She loves being on the court and wants to be a six-rotation player (in college).

“Her physical growth is easy to see — she came in at 6 feet. The growth in mental approach and understanding has been tremendous and fun to watch. For four years, everyone knew if you played St. Michael, you had to deal with this kid.”

Igiede’s first ever plane ride was to Honolulu this season to watch the Rainbow Wahine play. She texted Smith during her visit, telling him, “Hawaii is even better than what you see in pictures,” he said. “She enjoyed the environment on campus, the support for the volleyball program and how nice everyone was.

“This is a big deal for us. We’ve had kids playing indoors and beach at all levels, but signing with Hawaii … looking back through the years I haven’t seen anything comparable. There’s such prestige, such a great volleyball history for years and years and years. Hawaii was the wow factor for her.”

The Lady Warriors went undefeated in district play, winning their third straight championship. Second-seeded St. Michael finished 33-6, falling in five to No. 3 E.D. White on Friday in the state semifinals.

Igiede was named all-state as a sophomore, as well as MVP of the all-metro and all-district teams. Last season, she again was the district MVP and an all-metro pick.

“Our whole student body is excited for her,” said Smith of Igiede, who was elected as St. Michael homecoming queen last month.

Smith said Igiede will remind many longtime volleyball fans of former Long Beach State great Danielle Scott, the 1993 AVCA player of the year and a four-time Olympian, currently residing in her hometown of Baton Rouge. Igiede will be the second Wahine from Louisiana, joining 2003 AVCA player of the year Kim Willoughby, a cousin of Scott’s.

“Amber will carry the volleyball torch for Louisiana,” Smith said.

Akana, who gave her oral commitment to UH in June, will continue a family legacy. Her mother, Joselyn Robins-Akana, was an outside hitter for the Wahine (1993-96) during the time UH coach Robyn Ah Mow-Santos and assistant coach Angelica Ljungqvist played.

Akana is expected to repeat as a Star-Advertiser All-State selection. She helped Kamehameha to a second-place finish at last month’s state championship.

Earlier this month, Wagoner was named to the Under Armour All-America second team as well as All-Ohio first team. She finished her Dublin Coffman High career as the Rocks’ all-time leader in kills and digs with more than 1,000 in each.