Former prep standout Bailey Choy joins the University of Hawaii volleyball team

When Bailey Choy filled out her athletic bio questionnaire as an incoming freshman at Utah, the 2015 Star-Advertiser player of the year in volleyball listed her setting idol as her sports hero: Robyn Ah Mow. Choy now has the opportunity to train with and play collegiately for the three-time Olympic setter.

On Tuesday, Hawaii head coach Ah Mow announced that Choy has transferred for her final season and officially will join the Rainbow Wahine in August. The ‘Iolani graduate is finishing her undergraduate degree in finance at Utah and has been accepted into the master’s program at UH’s Shidler College of Business.

Choy joins Oregon junior transfers Kyra Hanawahine (Kamehameha), a libero, and hitter Jolie Rasmussen, as well as five incoming freshmen. Hawaii’s other setter is senior Norene Iosia, a three-time All-Big West selection, who played both setter and outside hitter for the Wahine last season.

“Bailey’s volleyball IQ, competitive demeanor and experience will add great competition and depth to the setting position immediately,” Ah Mow said in a press release. “We are beyond thrilled to have an athlete of Bailey’s caliber join our Rainbow Wahine ‘ohana.”

Choy was the starting setter for the Utes as they advanced to the NCAA tournament the past three seasons. The two-time Pac-12 all-academic selection had 99 career starts with 3,254 assists, 47 blocks and 88 aces.

As a senior at ‘Iolani, she was named the Hawaii Gatorade girls volleyball and ILH player of the year.

Hawaii opens the season with the Hawaiian Airlines Classic, Aug. 30-Sept. 1, at the Stan Sheriff Center. The field includes San Diego, St. John’s and Washington.