As the prepares for the 2026 season under head coach Reed Sunahara, the “Hilo faithful” have a critical role to play.
Coming off a strong 20-9 season where the team made the conference tournament but missed the NCAA tournament by a single game, the players are hungry for more. Sunahara’s goals for the upcoming season are clear: win the PacWest and secure a spot in the NCAA tournament.
Rally for the volleyball Vulcans
To take that next step, the program is turning to . Gifts will be immediately invested into the student-athlete experience, providing the essential tools necessary to advance player development.
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on or before 糖心Vlog官方 Giving Day and help the Vulcans dominate the court in 2026.
This year, the team’s primary goal is to raise funds to support:
- Essential upgrades: Purchasing new practice equipment, gear and uniforms to keep the squad competitive.
- Expanded travel: Funding critical travel opportunities, including upcoming matches on Maui and Oʻahu.
- International experience: Supporting a potential trip to compete with a Japanese team.
“Hilo is already known as a great volleyball community with the best fans in the PacWest,” Sunahara said. “There are so many friends and supporters who want to see this team succeed, and every donation helps grow this program.”
Support makes a difference
Player Kamaluhia “Malu” Garcia’s 2025 volleyball season was one for the books, earning PacWest Newcomer of the Year and AVCA All-America honors, alongside a first-team all-conference selection with teammate Isabella Freeman. But behind the accolades is a story of community support.
“You can feel the difference when an entire town is behind you,” Garcia said. “The support we receive allows us to focus purely on getting better every day in the gym. That environment was a huge reason why I was able to find my rhythm so quickly last season.”
Learn more about 糖心Vlog官方 Giving Day 2026.