Atuaia became leader on court

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Senior guard April Atuaia is a quiet but effective leader on the court for the Rainbow Wahine, according to coach Vince Goo. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Vince Goo will coach in his final home game as the head of the Rainbow Wahine program after 17 seasons. Advertiser library photo

Aloha to coach Vince Goo WHO: Fresno State at Hawai'i WHEN: 7 tonight WHERE: Stan Sheriff Center ADMISSION: $7 adults, free senior citizens (65 and older), ages 4-18 and UH students. Alumnae who played under Vince Goo are invited to attend. Free tickets will be provided for alumnae and a guest with a reception to follow. Call 956-4325 for information. PARKING: $3

For the past four seasons, April Atuaia has added a special toughness to Hawai'i, and has shown resilience and persistence by overcoming injuries and off-court challenges.

"If you want somebody as far as strength, quickness and heart, then she'll have the total package," said Tommy Heffernan, UH's head strength coordinator. "If there's somebody you want on your side, she'll be one of them, definitely."

As the team's lone senior, Atuaia will play in her final regular-season game tonight against visiting Fresno State. Tipoff is 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. Hawai'i coach Vince Goo, who will retire after this season, will also coach in his final home game tonight.

In early fall, Atuaia set a team record in the squat at 285 pounds, Heffernan said. The previous record was held by Karena Greeny at 280 pounds. Atuaia also power-cleaned 160 pounds and bench-pressed 150 pounds.

"Physically she's a very strong person," Goo said. "She's one of our stronger players we've had. She broke a lot of lifting records for our team."

During her career, Atuaia has helped Hawai'i advance to three postseason tournaments, won the conference's Freshman of the Year award and posted a 64-41 record in the 105 games she played in.

"I'll remember the atmosphere, the crowd and playing in front of my family," said Atuaia, who battled back after suffering a torn ACL in her left knee as a sophomore. "I'll remember the program that Vince has set here. I'm glad I had the opportunity to play for him all four years. I'm glad he stayed for this last year to see me off."

For the second consecutive season, teammates voted Atuaia tri-captain with juniors Milia Macfarlane and Jade Abele.

"Her teammates look to her for leadership," Goo said. "She's the kind of quiet-type leader. She leads by example. She's always there encouraging the younger ones. If they do something wrong on the floor, she helps them and makes corrections in a very constructive way."

Goo called Atuaia one of the most unselfish players he has coached. During her career, Atuaia's trademark has been her relentless effort and her "it's not about me" post-game interviews, where she always credits her teammates for her good games.

"She doesn't have to be the leading scorer," Goo said. "But she would like to be the leading rebounder, or the leader in assists. It's not all about scoring for her, that's the reason why she's an unselfish player."

Atuaia said she appreciated Goo's honest, tough-love approach to coaching. This season, Goo suspended Atuaia — a 2001-02 All-WAC Academic honoree — for three games for what Atuaia said was an academic-related team infraction.

"I really wasn't doing what I was supposed to do off the court with schooling, and just everything that the team is required to do," Atuaia said. "He sat me down and he made me realize what I was doing wasn't right. I'm thankful for that because he set me in the right place."

Goo said he is looking forward to the day Atuaia graduates from UH. During his 17 years as head of the Rainbow Wahine basketball program, Goo's players have a 100 percent graduation rate.

"She hit a bump in the road this season, got put on suspension, but I think she's got herself headed in the right direction again," Goo said. "It's one of those unfortunate things, but those things happen."

Atuaia, whose father, Fatu, teaches at Kahuku High School, has picked elementary education as her major.

"I didn't want to be a teacher at the beginning," she said. "But the teachers that I did have, they inspired me to become one."

Born in Western Samoa, Atuaia moved to Hawai'i, where she lived until the seventh grade. She moved to Utah to be close to her brothers who played football for Brigham Young University. After spending six years in Utah, she moved back to Hawai'i and attended Kahuku High School for a semester before graduating.

Atuaia said she will remember the Rainbow Wahine fans who have supported the team throughout the years.

"It's been quite an experience playing in front of a crowd like that," Atuaia said. "We've had people coming to games, even with the record we have this year. We've had true fans who came every game, the Balloon Brigade and certain people. It's been great to play in front of a crowd like that."

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.