California Players Leaving Their Mark At Samoa Bowl 2024.

The Samoa Bowl was held in American Samoa from Wednesday, December 25th, until Friday, December 27th. It is an event put on by the American Samoa Government for student-athletes to reconnect with their heritage while playing the sport they love. Teams from the Midwest, West Coast, American Samoa, Hawai'i, and the Northwest participated in this event. Team West Coast had 8 players from California, 1 from Utah, and 1 from Washington. Utah and Washington will be included in this article since they were part of the team. Watching these girls play together was so fun because the talent and skills on the court were top-tier. There were 2 questions asked of the players, How did they feel about representing California, and what advice they have for younger players? Those who participated, their replies are included in their evaluation.   Team West Coast was coached by Charmay Magalei-Lee, Adam Lee, Taliah Lee, and Fatimah Hall. Day 1 consisted of playing against teams Midwest, American Samoa 1, and Hawaii. Team West Coast beat all three teams in two sets, taking first place. On day 2, team West Coast played against American Samoa 2 and Northwest. The gym floor was painted concrete, which is not typical for our stateside players to play on. Team West Coast won the gold medal, taking 1st place with a record of 7-0. Meet the players below.    [player_tooltip player_id='206545' first='Manaia' last='Ogbechie'] is a dominant middle hitter who earned All-CIF honors for Division 2, showcasing her incredible talent and presence on the court. Manaia had to leave the Samoa Bowl a day early to prepare for the Under Armour All-American Game in Florida. Before leaving, Manaia helped with the 5 -0 record team West Coast had before the championship day. Known for her strength and power at the net, she excels in shutting down opposing hitters with her high hands and precise blocking. Manaia's timing and ability to read the game make her an intimidating force, often turning potential scoring opportunities for her opponents into points for her team. Whether it's her solid blocks or ability to attack with precision, Manaia consistently proves herself as a key player who thrives under pressure.     [player_tooltip player_id='186528' first='Keonahi'ilani' last='Solaita'] is an all-around outside hitter who earned All-CIF honors and was named Most Valuable Player for Division 6, cementing her status as one of the top players in her division. Her outstanding performance also garnered her All-Star recognition at the Samoa Bow, equivalent to All-Tournament honors, further highlighting her skill and versatility. Keonahi'ilani is a complete player who excels in every aspect of the game—she can pass and dig with precision, attack with force, and consistently rack up kills. Her ability to contribute offensively and defensively makes her an invaluable asset to any team and a constant threat on the court.   "To have the opportunity to represent California in the Samoa Bowl meant everything to me. To not only learn more about the beauty of our culture but to also play alongside some of the best athletes in California was an amazing experience not many have. To be able to wear our last names on our backs and represent our families from not only Samoa but from California too is such a blessing. To show my other side of the family how beautiful being Polynesian is. Of course, the West Coast is competitive and we wanted to win but coming to the Samoan Bowl also showed us the importance of respecting your opponents and loving one another like family."   "Advice to younger players out there is let the hate drive you. Not everyone will believe in you but as long as you have goals, work hard towards them and prove them wrong no matter what position, no matter what height, having heart and being humble will always win. And don't be afraid to represent where you come from, represent for those who don't have the opportunities to be in your place!"     [player_tooltip player_id='216056' first='Maylynn' last='Mitchell'] is a 6-rotation outside hitter who earned All-CIF honors in Division 2, showcasing her all-around skill and impact on the court. She was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Samoa Bowl 2024, a testament to her performance in such a competitive setting. Maylynn is known for her powerful attacks, consistently finding ways to score and put pressure on her opponents. In addition to her offensive prowess, she excels in the back row, making crucial passes and digs that help her team stay in system. Her serving is another weapon, with her aces often changing the momentum of a match. May's versatility and ability to contribute in every aspect of the game made her a key player at Samoa Bowl 2024.     [player_tooltip player_id='538033' first='Lalelei' last='Hall'] earned All-CIF honors for Division 5. She proved herself to be the epitome of a team player by stepping up with confidence and versatility when her team needed her most. On Day 3 of competition, she seamlessly transitioned from her usual position as a right-side hitter to middle blocker to fill in for Manaia Ogbeichie, who had to leave. As a right-side hitter, Lalelei showcased her offensive prowess by attacking through blocks and finding open areas on the court to score key points. When moved to the middle, she made crucial plays with her blocking, shutting down opponents at the net and maintaining her team's defensive strength. Her adaptability and willingness to step into any role made her an invaluable asset, proving her dedication to her team's success.     Manaia Alefaio-Foifua may be small in stature, but her impact on the court is anything but. As a libero and defensive specialist, she is the heart of her team's defense, with quick speed that allows her to chase down balls others might deem unreachable. Her fearless determination is exemplified by her ability to make solid pancake saves, keeping points alive in crucial moments. Manaia's passing is consistent and reliable, and she wasn't afraid to dive on the solid concrete court to ensure her team stayed in the rally. Adding to her versatility, she is a dependable server, contributing points from the back line. Tiny but mighty, Manaia's grit and skill made her an indispensable part of her team's success.     Taray Tela is a dynamic middle hitter and blocker who made her mark at Samoa Bowl 2024, earning All-Star recognition equivalent to All-Tournament honors. Her explosive power at the net was on full display when she bounced a ball in front of the 10-foot line, a testament to her strength and precision as an attacker. Taray's quick lateral movements allowed her to transition seamlessly from side to side, providing crucial support to her pins with well-timed and effective blocks. Her combination of athleticism, court awareness, and offensive firepower made her a standout player and a key contributor to her team's success.     [player_tooltip player_id='466229' first='Masina' last='Ogbechie'] is a formidable right-side hitter known for her ability to consistently score points with her strategic and powerful attacks. Whether threading the ball between blockers or expertly tooling the block, Masina demonstrates precision and intelligence in her offensive plays. Her strong arm swing generates impressive speed and force, making her attacks difficult to defend. With her combination of power, technique, and court awareness, Masina is a reliable scorer and a key asset to her team's offensive strategy.   "I'm so grateful to have represented California, because to me this was a way to show everyone that even outside the island, Samoans are still connected to their culture and eager to learn more about it."   "I advise younger players to remember that they are never just playing for themselves, because their whole community and culture is always supporting them."     [player_tooltip player_id='338908' first='Lucky' last='Fasavalu'] is a versatile and dynamic triple-threat player who excels in setting, attacking, and serving. Her ability to seamlessly transition between roles makes her a valuable asset to any team. Lucky's powerful top spin jump serve is particularly impressive, consistently putting opponents under pressure; in one instance, her serve caused a receiving player to twist their ankle, highlighting its sheer speed and force. As a setter, she has some smooth hands setting up her pins to score. She pushes out a ball with ease. Beyond her serving prowess, Lucky can set up her teammates with precision and also attack with authority, making her a constant threat on the court. Her all-around skills and competitive edge make her a standout player in every match she plays.     [player_tooltip player_id='328173' first='Cedra' last='Talaga'] is a libero and defensive specialist who earned All-CIF honors for Division 3, a testament to her critical role on the court. As a key defensive player, Cedra's passing was reliable and precise, consistently keeping her team in system. Her digging skills were equally impressive, as she fearlessly went after hard-hit attacks and made remarkable saves, including diving on the concrete court to keep the ball alive. Cedra's ability to pick up seemingly unreachable balls and turn them into playable opportunities showcases her incredible athleticism and dedication. Her relentless effort and defensive prowess made her an indispensable part of her team's success.   "Representing California in the Samoa Bowl was an incredible honor. It wasn't just about representing our state, but also highlighting the talent and hard work of our Samoan athletes from California. Being part of that team meant a great deal to me, as we had the opportunity to showcase that California athletes possess not only skill but also heart and drive. Above all, I was able to represent my family and culture."   "As a Samoan athlete, my advice to younger athletes is to embrace your natural strength and athleticism, while always prioritizing hard work and dedication. Always respect your community and family values as they are the foundation of who you are. Seek out mentors and build strong support systems, and remember to use your platform to proudly represent your culture. At the same time, never lose sight of the importance of academics and personal development alongside your athletic journey."     [player_tooltip player_id='533581' first='Kalea' last='Lee'] is a smart setter who passes the ball around, going to outside, right-side or pipe at any given time. Lee is a setter known for her quickness, smooth hands, and precision in running the offense. Her ball placement was on point, making it easy for her hitters to execute powerful and effective attacks. She had a vocal presence on the court as she communicated clearly and confidently to direct plays and keep her team in sync. Her ability to make split-second decisions and deliver accurate sets under pressure made her a key leader on the court and a vital part of her team's success.   "Representing California in the Samoa Bowl was an incredible honor for me. Not only was I representing the state of California, but the last name on my back. Which made the experience unforgettable, and it really highlighted the talent and diversity of different players."   "Some advice I have for younger players is to learn more about your culture, and soak up the experience. Learn from other athletes around you and create relationships with them."    A great way to support our volleyball athletes and teams is by sharing our stories with family, friends, and fans. This can be done by subscribing or sharing on social media. Follow Prep Dig and Prep Dig California on their many different social media platforms ie: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also follow players on their journey in the sport. Sometimes unintentional errors happen. For any corrections, please email them to niqnaq23@gmail.com and put “PrepDig correction” in the subject line. Thank you for the support and happy reading!! *If you are a player, please claim or create your player profile.

The Samoa Bowl was held in American Samoa from Wednesday, December 25th, until Friday, December 27th. It is an event put on by the American Samoa Government for student-athletes to reconnect with their heritage while playing the sport they love. Teams from the Midwest, West Coast, American Samoa, Hawai'i, and the Northwest participated in this event. Team West Coast had 8 players from California, 1 from Utah, and 1 from Washington. Utah and Washington will be included in this article since they were part of the team. Watching these girls play together was so fun because the talent and skills on the court were top-tier. There were 2 questions asked of the players, How did they feel about representing California, and what advice they have for younger players? Those who participated, their replies are included in their evaluation.