MEET THE MANA WAHINE
Jada Souza
aspect. Since it is a fours tournament, you cannot win by yourself. The compe- tition is also very high-level, which pres- ents a challenge for girls like me who will be playing at the next level soon. One of the highlights of the tourna- ment was getting to play with my former teammate, Ava Hipa. It was a huge sur- prise that she came to play, and an even bigger one when I found out we were placed on the same team. What has OCC's volleyball commu- nity given you off the court? The OCC community has given me so much more than just volleyball skills or lessons. Through this program, I have met many inspiring people and made friendships I might not have formed outside of it. One of the best parts of the Club is not only the volleyball, but also the experiences that come with it, such as traveling to California for summer tournaments, team dinners and bonding activities, and going to the Snack Shop together after practice. All of these mo- ments created a strong sense of commu- nity for me that went past beach volley- ball. How has volleyball helped shape your confidence, leadership, or sense of self? Volleyball has helped me grow more confident by pushing me into situations where I had to adapt and trust myself. At OCC, the team environment has played a huge role in my growth. The older girls in past years were always
How did you first get involved with volleyball, and what drew you to playing at OCC? After trying many sports as a kid, I first got involved in indoor volleyball when my best friend convinced me to try it in third grade. From then on, I grew very close to the sport and continued playing. When I realized I was too short to play outside hitter in college, I overheard people talking about beach volleyball. It was outside in the sun, more touches on the ball, and on the beach—three of my favorite things. I started by attending group clinics for beach volleyball, but I quickly grew to love it even more than indoor. I real- ized I needed a more competitive envi- ronment to grow and develop the way I truly wanted in beach volleyball. When I heard about Outrigger, I knew it was the opportunity I was looking for. How would you describe yourself as a volleyball player? My role as a volleyball player is being versatile. Whether the team needs a split blocker or a defender, I can step in. Even if my role is simply supporting from the sideline, I am always ready to help. After an undefeated run, what did winning the Mana Wahine tourna- ment mean to you personally? After playing in the Mana Wahine tour- nament for all three years, winning the Mana means a lot to me. I love competing in the Mana because it has a strong team
supportive and encouraged me when I was struggling. Now, as one of the senior girls at the Club, I try to step into their role and provide the same support. If I see a younger player struggling or feeling down, I make an effort to encourage them and give helpful feedback. I want to give younger girls the same spark and love for beach volleyball that I had at their age.
22 AMA | march/april 2026
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