Kalani volleyball coach to leave

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

It was just for a year, but what a year it was for Aven Lee.

After guiding the Kalani High girls to their first O'ahu Interscholastic Association volleyball title since 1972 and a third-place finish at the state tournament, Lee has stepped down as coach.

"I told my uncle at the beginning of the season I'd do it for a year," she said.

That's because Lee, who played for the University of Hawai'i and graduated last year, postponed graduate school to help her uncle, Kalani athletic director Gordon Miyashiro. Lee succeeded her cousin, Tehani Fiatoa, Miyashiro's daughter, who stepped down after the 2002 season so she could continue her studies.

Lee, 25, said she plans to attend UNLV to work on a master's degree in criminal justice. She is considering a future in the FBI.

"I liked it a lot," Lee said of coaching. "It was a chance to work with the girls."

She leaves a team that graduates only one player in setter Marisa Okamoto. Among the returnees is her cousin, Tamari Miyashiro.

Lee said she will coach two club teams in the spring: Impact Hawai'i (14-year-old boys) and Quick Sets Hawai'i (18 girls).

"Maybe I'll coach up there (in Las Vegas) to keep it going," she said.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.