Gracanne Keohohou has served 42 aces in 10 matches for
Hawaii Pacific University. That's tops in the country in the NAIA.
By Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin

Keohohou was born and raised in the Northwest, where her father - Saffery, an all-league tackle for Farrington in the late 1960s - chose to remain after playing football for Central Washington. The family will return to Hawaii next year permanently. Gracanne arrived last year to be with her ailing grandmother, who had been diagnosed with cancer.

She also came "home" to play volleyball.

"My grandmother's health was bad and I made the decision to come be with her," said Keohohou, who transferred after her freshman year at North Idaho College. "I had been talking to a couple of schools in California, but they wanted me in another year (as a junior transfer).

"I talked to BYU-Hawaii, Hawaii-Hilo and HPU. HPU offered me a scholarship and I knew it was a good school, especially for my major (travel industry management and marketing). It was a hard decision because my family didn't want me to go, but it was a good decision."

First-year HPU coach Tita Ahuna couldn't be happier with the 6-foot-1 blocker she inherited from former coach Gabby Artigas. Keohohou, an All-Far West pick last season, currently leads the NAIA in ace average after compiling 42 in 10 matches.

"Her serving is a shock," said Ahuna, whose 8-2 team will host Hawaii-Hilo in a pair of HIAC matches Friday and Saturday. "It's been a godsend in the long matches and has really made the difference.

"But what I like about 'G' is her spirit and her enthusiasm, her willingness to work hard. The players know if we work hard, we're going to reap the benefits."

One goal has already been accomplished. The 15th-ranked Sea Warriors took a game from two-time defending national champion and third-ranked BYU-Hawaii (13-0) last Friday.

"We were happy about taking one off BYU," said Keohohou of the 12-15, 15-12, 15-5, 15-8 loss to the Seasiders. "It let us know they're beatable. We just have to pull together and play hard the entire match."

It's the same approach Keohohou takes in her individual game. She plays bigger than her 6-1 frame in the middle, but moves like a smaller defensive player when playing in the back row.

"I'm glad I have an overall game," said Keohohou, a four-sport letter winner at Moscow (Idaho) High. "It helps me stay mentally in the game. I played all positions in high school.

"The middle is hard. You have to hustle constantly. There's so much timing involved, knowing where the ball is all the time. It's hard work, but I'm enjoying playing this year."

Last season wasn't as much fun as HPU struggled to a 14-11 record, losing its last five matches. Keohohou was second in kills, kill percentage and blocks behind senior Solene Duvachelle.

This year, Keohohou has lots of help in the middle from 6-foot Lei Finau Kaisa, the 1992 NAIA Player of the Year while at BYU-Hawaii, 6-2 freshman Dawn Penebacker and 5-10 junior transfer Blen Nakihei.

"It's great playing in the middle with 'G'," said Penebacker, a transfer from University of Ha-waii. "She gets you fired up. It's really good to see a big girl playing defense like she does. She can move as fast as anyone out there.

"I think the other teams have been surprised because our middles are big and strong, but also quick and fast. That's an advantage because teams aren't expecting it."

And opponents certainly aren't expecting Keohohou's serve, a combination of a jump-floater with a nasty top spin that acts like a sinker ball.

"My father worked on it with me when I was young," said Keohohou, who had 38 aces in seven matches as HPU won the season-opening Hawaiian Style Classic. "It hasn't been as effective as it was the first part of the season but I think I've got it back down.

"Leading the country in aces ... wow, sometimes I have to laugh about it. Serving is so scary. It's such a mental game. You go back there after how many times in practice and there's the pressure of everyone watching."

Keohohou's family will be watching next weekend when HPU travels to the Western Oregon State Tournament in Monmouth. Among the 12 NAIA teams competing will be her father's alma mater, Central Washington.

Keohohou means "the new air" in Hawaiian. She hopes her serves can keep the Sea Warriors floating toward a national title.