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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, June 5, 2005

Tamari Miyashiro

Kalani High School was never considered to be one of the state's sports superpowers, but in the past four years Tamari Miyashiro helped revive the Falcons' volleyball program into one of Hawai'i's best.

Miyashiro, a two-time Advertiser All-State first-team selection, was the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division Co-Player of the Year as a freshman in 2001, then won the honor by herself in 2003 and 2004.

In 2003, she led the Falcons to their first OIA championship in 31 years. Later that school year, Miyashiro was named OIA White Conference (Division II) Player of the Year in basketball.

Kalani

Volleyball, basketball

Grade-point average: 3.5

College: Washington

At a school that has battled student apathy and self-image challenges, Miyashiro rallied the campus around the volleyball program and became the face of an athletic department searching for a bona fide All-State player.

But she did so quietly and leading by example, and she brought attention to Kalani not through words but through incredible athletic plays that left fans saying, "Wow!"

Miyashiro was so impressive in volleyball, she was named Most Outstanding Player of the state tournament despite Kalani not being in the finals.

Off the court, Miyashiro earned a 3.5 cumulative grade-point average and assisted with the local Under-15 club volleyball team. She plans to play volleyball at the University of Washington.