Miyashiro poised for another strong season

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Of all the talents displayed by Kalani High School senior Tamari Miyashiro on the volleyball court — and there are many — the one that stands out most is her poise.

"She's humble and grounded. She's the type of child that everyone would want to have and be around," Gordon Miyashiro says of daughter Tamari, an All-State volleyball senior at Kalani High School. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

But her poise was put to a different test this past February, when she was in Las Vegas playing at a club tournament. News traveled from Hawai'i that Miyashiro's father, Gordon, had suffered a heart attack.

"I was crying and spent 15 minutes trying to figure out how to tell Tama," said her mother, Joey, who also was in Las Vegas along with Miyashiro's grandparents. "But it turns out she knew before I did because she had taken a call when I was out. We were making plans to come back home, but Tama just said, 'Mom, knowing Dad, he's not going to want us to come back early.'

"And she was right, because that's what he told us later. I was holding back tears, because I couldn't believe my 16-year-old daughter was handling it so well."

By the time the news reached Las Vegas, Gordon was resting and able to talk on the phone from his hospital bed. He has since recovered nicely and is expected to return to his job as Kalani's athletic director soon.

But the February incident was serious enough that Tamari admits it frightened her, which doesn't happen often.

"His heart actually stopped and he didn't have a pulse," she said, noting that only a defibrillator saved him. "If it was a little longer, he could have died. It was pretty scary."

Two years ago, the Miyashiros had another scary moment when they were involved in a car accident after a volleyball tournament. Their car was broadsided, and Gordon was shaken up a bit but Tamari and Joey walked away without any injuries.

Tamari said the two incidents have brought the family of seven — which already was tight — even closer.

"We learned not to take anything for granted, because the thing that you think about the least can happen to you and you won't even know it," Tamari said.

Even as a freshman, Miyashiro showed poise and maturity beyond her years. As a 5-foot-7 outside hitter, she was named the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's Eastern Division Co-Player of the Year.

Miyashiro had that honor all to herself last season and also was named first-team All-State after leading Kalani to its first OIA championship in 31 years.

She excels not so much by leaping over opponents and pounding spikes through blocks, but rather by always being in the right spot and finding it on the other side of the net.

"She's probably the most versatile player out there," said Joey, who is Kalani's co-head coach and a former two-time All-American at the University of Hawai'i. "She's played on teams where she had to be the No. 1 hitter when we actually wanted her to set. We just told her, 'You need to be able to do it because we don't have anyone else.' "

Despite her mother's rich volleyball background, Tamari didn't pick up the sport until she was in the fourth grade — after also playing baseball, basketball and soccer. But Gordon and Joey said Tamari is the most athletic of their five children, even with sister Tehani being a former UH volleyball player.

"She always had the balance and coordination, but what sets her apart is she's very intelligent," said Gordon, a former standout football player at Farrington and Northern Michigan. "She's game-smart and has a lot of common sense. She'll find a way to come out of any predicament. Most athletes have the ability to play well, but they can't do that. She's mentally tough."

Tamari said she relies on strategy more than physical prowess.

"The smarter person always wins," said Tamari, who carries a 3.6 grade point average. "It's not always about power — you won't win by just hitting your hardest because they will just block it. Most of the time I never hit it as hard as I can. I try to play with efficiency and hit it to spots. If you play smart, the ball will drop."

Tamari said the Falcons, who open their OIA season at 6 tonight against 'Anuenue, take the same approach.

"The reason we've been successful is we spend so much time on basics," she said. "Other teams might be taller and stronger, but if they can't serve, pass and set cleanly, it doesn't matter."

By setting an example for her teammates, Miyashiro has helped the volleyball team build much-needed school pride. And her poise and maturity earn her respect from athletes and non-athletes alike.

"She's humble and grounded," Gordon said. "She's the type of child everyone would want to have and be around."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.