Pressure doesn’t have to be a burden.

Having been entrusted with wearing the libero jersey as a University of Hawaii freshman, Tayli Ikenaga acknowledged the nerves buzzing through her when she lined up for introductions prior to her debut with the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team a year ago.

“I would say it was a lot of pressure,” Ikenaga said of taking the court for UH’s opener. “But at the same time it was a good pressure.”

After earning the opportunity to prove herself in the back row, Ikenaga continued to push herself to retain the responsibility in her first collegiate season. When the Rainbow Wahine season ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in December, the Moanalua alumna had started each of UH’s 30 matches and played in all 107 sets.

“It felt really good on my end, but I feel like it was not guaranteed that I was going to have that position for the whole season,” she said. “I just have to keep reminding myself I have to keep going 110% effort in gym.”

Now bolstered by a full season of playing the position, Ikenaga enters her sophomore year looking to add to her responsibilities within the Wahine roster and, perhaps, help ease the pressure on this year’s group of newcomers.

“I know the coaches’ expectations, so I wanted to take that leadership role and be able to step it up and be able to bring that into (this) season and help the new girls,” Ikenaga said.

“I feel like I’m being more of a voice in the gym, being able to help out as well.”

Ikenaga and middle blocker Amber Igiede were the only UH players to see action in every set last year. An All-State outside hitter for Moanalua in 2019, the 5-foot-5 Ikenaga led the Wahine with 347 total digs, averaging 3.24 per set, and popped up over 20 digs in three matches.

Ikenaga’s season high of 24 digs in a five-set win against Cal State Fullerton sparked a run of seven straight matches in double figures, which included a Big West Freshman of the Week award.

While most of last year’s newcomers adjusted to head coach Robyn Ah Mow’s direction, Ikenaga did have a head start in that regard. She had played club volleyball for Ah Mow early in high school, and entered the program with an understanding of the culture within Gym 1.

“At that time I honestly didn’t see myself playing here in Hawaii. I felt like I wanted to go away for college,” Ikenaga said of her initial post-high school plans.

“At the same time Coach Robyn showed me that her coaching style was what I really needed to improve and get better.”

Ikenaga’s club background also contributed to her 111 assists, as she often handled the second contact when setters Kate Lang and Mylana Byrd popped up a dig.

“Throughout club we really emphasized (playing) out of system and being able to control that second ball no matter who it is,” Ikenaga said. “Really emphasizing that and applying that in the gym really helped us.”

This season, Ikenaga is joined in the back row by Michigan State transfer Talia Edmonds. The 5-foot-7 junior served as a team captain with the Spartans last season while leading the team with 238 digs. While the duo vie for the libero jersey, both figure to play prominent roles in the Wahine backcourt throughout the season.

“It’s a good competition between us knowing we’re fighting for this spot and being able to push each other and bring more out of us,” Ikenaga said.

Liberos / Defensive specialists

NO. PLAYER CL. HT. HOMETOWN

#13 Talia Edmonds R-Jr. 5-7 Kalamazoo, Mich.

Joined the team in the spring as a graduate transfer. …Averaged 1.56 digs per set at Michigan State.

#16 Tayli Ikenaga So. 5-5 Honolulu

Led team with 18 double-digit dig performances. … Fan of former UH libero Ali Longo growing up.