Hana’s Helekahi-Cass to Play Volleyball at Ashford

From left, Complex Area Superintendent Lindsay Ball, Hana Athletic Director Richard Young, Pakalana Helekahi-Cass, and school principal Rick Paul. Photo by Hana Athletics.

By Rodney S. Yap

Hana High School volleyball standout Pakalana Helekahi-Cass signed a letter of intent to attend Ashford University in Iowa on a full scholarship.

The school had an official signing ceremony for the 5-foot-9 middle blocker on April 4.

Helekahi-Cass was the 2012 Maui Interscholastic League Division II Girls Volleyball Player of the Year. She helped lead the Dragons to the quarterfinals of their first state tournament appearance since 2005.

She also sparked the Dragons’ epic five-set victory over St. Anthony in late October that secured the team’s state berth. Hana rallied from two sets down to win the 132-minute match.

The two-time MIL all-star is also Hana’s student body president and the valedictorian of her senior class.

The Ashford Saints finished with a 23-18 record last year. The season was highlighted by a pair of wins over teams ranked in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) top 25. The two wins marked the first time in program history that the Saints defeated an opponent which remained ranked following the NAIA Preseason Top 25 Coaches’ Poll.