Former Lady Charger A Natural On The Arizona Courts
By Jack Danilewicz
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While new technology may have enhanced recruiting for most college programs, word-of-mouth made the difference when Western Arizona College courted Jazmin Pahukoa-Malia.
The former Pearl City standout hadn’t given much thought to playing volleyball at all in college when she received the phone call that would quickly alter her immediate future.
“(Fellow Pearl City graduate) Marina Gusman-Brown was playing softball there, and she called me and told me that she’d told the coach (Shari Kay) all about me. She said, ‘I told her all about what a great leader you are, and she’s going to call you and offer you a scholarship.’ Two days later, coach Shari offered me a full ride, and two weeks later, I was there! They never saw any film of me or anything.”
In retrospect, Eastern Arizona College is looking very bright for its foresight these days. Pahukoa-Malia recently closed out an impressive sophomore season that has opened the door of opportunity for her all the more. Behind her steady presence, the Lady Gila Monsters claimed first place in their region (I) with a 22-11 record this year as well as earning an appearance in the District A Finals.
Pahukoa-Malia also was named the MVP of the region I tournament for her efforts. Her average of 5.962 digs per game was second in the Arizona Community College Athletic Association and earned her First Team All-Conference honors from the league coaches. While Pahukoa-Malia had concluded long ago that when her two years were up at Eastern she would be through with volleyball, her exploits on the court this past season have made her a sought-after prospect among four-year schools.
“I was just going to focus on school and that was it, but everyone’s been telling me to move on now,“said Pahukoa-Malia, who has a 3.71 grade-point average at Eastern.
Her quick rise in volleyball circles isn’t surprising given her athletic ability and longtime affiliation with basketball while growing up, but volleyball was a distant second to basketball until her senior year of high school. Pahukoa-Malia credits Pearl City coach Stephanie Shigemasa with preparing her for the next level of athletics.
“Coach Steph taught me a lot from freshman year (onwards),“she said. “She and (club) coach Reid (Shigemasa) made me into a volleyball person. I learned to be mentally tough from them.”
As Gusman-Brown predicted, Pahukoa-Malia also has become the leader at Eastern Arizona that she was at Pearl City. And although an outside hitter for the Chargers, Pahukoa-Malia shifted to libero for the Gila Monsters more out of necessity for what was at the time an injury-depleted roster.
“I hurt my shoulder last year, and they stuck me in at libero. After a couple of games,she said,‘Wow,you can really pass. Next year, you’re going to be my libero.’ It’s turned out really well.”
The presence of several other Hawaii-born players on the team - three of whom are roommates - has helped Pahukoa-Malia to feel at home in Arizona. Mom Pua also visits often to help her replenish her supply of local food brought by way of large coolers from Oahu.
Where she is headed to next fall remains to be worked out, but “in the present"is a very good place to be. “Winning nationals and being named MVP last week was great. We played Arizona Western, which is a rivalry like Pearl City-Aiea. To have that plaque and a medal is the best part.”
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