Kalei Mau is, admittedly, as wild as they come, which could be good and bad in volleyball.
The Filipino-Hawaiian showed exactly that in United Volleyball Club’s match against the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors. She was erratic early on and needed time on the bench to regroup.
“I think I’m a really big competitor. I can start seeing flames in my eyes. When I don’t let myself breathe, someone needs to make me. I’m growing also with the coaching staff. They know me really well as a player,” recalled the 23-year-old outside hitter.
“They know that, as a leader for me, they needed to take me out, show me what was going on, and slow me down. Because I do get frazzled and kinda crazy on the court, and [they] allow me to just observe real quick. When I was back in, I had it better. My mind was clear.”
Down by two sets, UVC came together and took the match all the way to a fifth set, where Mau had her best moment in the PSL.
Tied at 8, Mau brought her team to the finish line, scoring seven straight points to clinch the win for her side.
“All I thought about was all the chances I was given throughout this match.
“Obviously, I didn’t start it strong as I usually can. But, just knowing that I had the opportunity to finish it for my team, I couldn’t let that up. I’m really happy that everyone worked together and allowed me to finish,” admitted Mau, who managed 22 points in all.
Moving forward, Mau wants her team to keep improving. As the bridge between the locals and Hawaiians on her squad, she knows of her unique responsibility.
“I just want us to gain trust in each other. We’re always late bloom. I’m really hoping our locals can mesh with our imports,” shared the three-year pro.
“I’m a hybrid on this team. I get to have a really good connection with my locals and I grew up with my imports. Having Alohi [Robins-Hardy], Tai [Manu-Olevao], and Yaas [Bedart-Ghani], whose a great friend of mine, the chemistry is bound to click.”
