Wahine basketball signs 6-4 post player

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

Rainbow Wahine basketball's biggest recruiting class grew bigger yesterday when Alofa Toia, the 6-foot-4 cousin of current 'Bow April Atuaia, signed a letter of intent.

Toia, from Sandy, Utah, is the sixth freshman to sign with Hawai'i. The Rainbow Wahine lost three seniors off last season's WNIT team. Kim Willoughby will probably not play next season because of her commitment to the U.S. national volleyball team and Olympics.

Toia was an all-state volleyball player at Hunter High School. She transferred to Brighton High for her senior year and did not join the basketball team until mid-January because of a suspension for fighting.

Toia helped Brighton to the 5A state title, averaging 12 points, 9 rebounds and 10 blocks a game.

Atuaia, who has only played against Toia's sister, does not doubt Alofa's remarkable number of blocks. Atuaia says her "distant cousin" can play forward or center, is extremely mobile and comes from a "very athletic family."

"Just like ours," Atuaia said with a laugh. "That's why we're cousins."

UH coach Vince Goo calls Toia "a dominating post player — very strong, athletic and physical. She's going to be a banger for us inside."