Punahou standout signs with UH
Advertiser Staff
Punahou's Aneli Cubi-Otineru, last season's Advertiser All-State Player of the Year in volleyball, signed a national letter of intent to play for the University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team.
"It feels good, it's like a blessing," Cubi-Otineru said. "Ever since I was small, I was watching UH volleyball, so to play for them would be a dream come true."
Cubi-Otineru
Cubi-Otineru, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter with a 31-inch vertical jump, was named an all-state player in each of her first three years.
"We're happy to add Aneli Cubi-Otineru to our volleyball family," UH coach Dave Shoji said. "She's an outstanding all-around player who will add depth to the outside hitting positions. She has excellent back row skills as well as being a physically gifted athlete."
Cubi-Otineru ran into academic trouble last semester and was ineligible this season until the first quarter ended Oct. 26.
She said she has since taken care of her grade problems, and that Shoji never threatened to pull her scholarship offer.
"He told me it was a blessing in disguise, because I learned a lot through this experience and it's better that I learn it now rather than later," Cubi-Otineru said. "It made me work a lot harder."
Cubi-Otineru returned to notch a match-high 24 kills in Punahou's four-game victory over Kamehameha for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu title two weeks ago, but was hampered by a strained hamstring and saw limited action in the state tournament this past week.
Punahou beat Kamehameha in the final at King Kekaulike on Maui to finish undefeated and repeat as champion.
