Volleyball

Volleyball Chris Allen Brown

'Ike Hawai'i

Experience the Hawaiian Island, O'ahu, through the eyes, camera lens of the Texas State volleyball program.

From August 30 to September 5, 2022, the Texas State volleyball program spent a week over 3,700 miles away from San Marcos, Texas in Honolulu, Hawaii participating in the Outrigger Volleyball Challenge hosted by the University of Hawaii. 

While in the Aloha State, the program hiked a volcanic tuff cone, Diamond Head, played a volleyball match in front of over 5,000 fans, participated in a traditional luau as well as spent countless hours on the beaches of the O'ahu Island. 

Prior to their flight departure the morning of August 30, every member of the program was asked to keep an eye out and capture moments they were living in. Upon arriving back to campus, each person submitted a photo of their favorite moment. 

Below are those moments that'll last a lifetime:

"Hawaii was an amazing experience both on and off the court. I loved playing in the Stan Sheriff Center and in front of the amazing Hawaii crowd, but picking on picture had to be the one of me asking Bryan to marry me," - Sean Huiet, Head Coach
"The first thing we did as a team was hike Diamond Head aka Le'Ahi. It was a tougher hike than we were expecting, but a great way to get moving after an eight-hour flight. Some would say I was setting a world-record pace to get to the top, but, really, I just wanted to get the climb out of the way. The climb was worth the view as I captured this shot of the Waikiki coastline," - Keith Anderson, Associate Head Coach
"Hawaii was extra special for me, because I got to catch up with some old friends who are stationed on the island's army base. Their oldest daughter, Haley (11), is starting travel volleyball and she and her little sister, Charlotte (8), loved getting the autographs of our student-athletes. I love that impact we were able to have! This picture is from our last night in Hawaii. They took me to their favorite beach to paddle board, kayak and watch the sunset," - Tori Plugge, Assistant Coach
"I took this picture (while stopped at a red light) by the beach. I love how the beach is in the background and how beautiful and green all of the trees were," - Charli Fouts, Graduate Assistant
"The sunrises were my favorite part of the trip. I would go on runs every morning to watch them. They were so peaceful and calming," - Payton McMillan, Student Development Specialist
"This is my favorite picture, because I love our staff and I am so grateful for the fun memories we now have from this trip. Plus, it's also funny, because I'm so short," - Arden Weninger, Athletic Training Graduate Assistant
"I had a lot of fun during this hike and this trip all around. I enjoyed getting to spend more time with the team and getting to know everyone better. I'm very thankful for this staff and team for letting me help out this season," - Taylor Lippert, Assistant Athletic Trainer
"This was my favorite picture from the Hawaii trip. We visited the east side of the island and the view was beautiful. I was very happy thatI got to see my sister, Sydney, and spend some time with my family over the trip. The trip was fun, because we took care of business, but also got to experience some really cool places in Hawaii," - Samantha Wunsch, Freshman Outside Hitter
"I like this photo, because I think it captures the beauty of the island. And I loved this hike," - Emily Smylie, Junior Middle Blocker
"The luau was my favorite part of the trip. It was beautiful and so much fun. Getting to interact with everyone and getting to go with my team was amazing," - Maggie Walsh, Freshman Outside Hitter
"It's the first picture I took and it shows how pretty the island is from above. It also shows a lot: a combination of water, greenery, civilization and clear blue skies," - Jada Gardner, Graduate Outside Hitter
"My favorite picture from out trip to Hawaii was this one that was taken while we were at a luau. We all had a lot of fun learning morning about the history and culture, but also we learned how to make lei's. Our families also got to go to the luau, so not only was it a fun team experience, but we could enjoy it with our families, too," - Tessa Marshall, Senior Middle Blocker
"I like this picture, because it was our last night and we got one of the street dancers to take my BeReal," - Olivia Adair, Freshman Defensive Specialist
"This picture is my favorite, because Cait(lan Buettner) and I are showing off our purchases from the vendors near our hotel. The earrings we bought have a small story to them just because of our experience with said vendors was funny. It was really hard saying no to the old ladies selling the trinkets, but as a result we got a cute picture," - Jacqueline Lee, Sophomore Defensive Specialist
"The one thing I wanted to see while in Hawaii was a rainbow. Emily Smylie and I woke up early one morning to get coffee and watch the sunrise on the beach, and while we were there, we got to see a full double rainbow," - Jillian Slaughter, Senior Middle Blocker
"This is my favorite photo, because, at this moment, I felt so at peace. The only thing I could hear were the waves and my teammates splashing in the water. The sky was absolutely gorgeous to look at and the air felt so fresh. A moment I will cherish forever," - Alissa Miramontez, Redshirt-Senior Defensive Specialist
"Jacks and I had very similar taste in Hawaii. I loved shopping and looking around Hawaii," - Caitlan Buettner, Senior Outside Hitter
"Hawaii was so much fun. Not only were we in paradise, but we were there with my second family. It's rare to be able to be in such an amazing place with 30 other people that you care about most," - Daleigh Ellison, Junior Outside Hitter
"This is my favorite photo from the trip. I went snorkeling in North Shore and got to see really pretty fish and a few sea turtles. Afterwards, I went and got lunch at some food trucks in the small town of Haleiwa," - Alyssa Clark, Freshman Defensive Specialist
"This is my favorite picture from the trip just because I've never seen such a cool sunset. It felt like being at the edge of the world or in a movie or something," - Courtney Heiser, Senior Outside Hitter
"This photo is my favorite, because it shows the happiness I got to share with being in Hawaii with the people I love. Spending time with my teammates in paradise is such a memorable thing. I am so grateful for this experience," - Ryann Torres, Junior Setter
"This is my favorite photo. It captures the tranquility of the moment as the warm-setting sun sunk into the Pacific (Ocean) and the calming waves lapped below. I could stay there, at peace, for hours," - Megan Woods, Junior Middle Blocker
"I loved exploring the island and experience the culture. The community is very endearing and welcoming. It was fun to see how much places can change over a decade. (I last visited in 2012.) I can't wait to go back," - Janell Fitzgerald, Graduate Outside Hitter
"My favorite picture from out trip to Hawaii was this one that was taken at the top of Diamond Head. Although it was a big of a hike to the top, the views were absolutely amazing once we got up there," - Emily DeWalt, Graduate Setter
"This was my favorite picture from Hawaii, because I got to spend it with some of my best friends in our last volleyball season. I have never been to Hawaii, so I felt lucky to have the opportunity to visit and get to play volleyball there. The volleyball atmosphere is something I will never forget," - Lauren Teske, Redshirt-Senior Outside Hitter
"This is my favorite photo from the trip. I love it, because we all got to dress up and go to the luau as a team. It was a really fun dinner and time to experience a new place and culture," - Bailey Hanner, Freshman Middle Blocker
"Playing volleyball in Hawaii was my favorite moment, because we got to play in front of a huge crowd in their awesome arena, which was motivating and fun. I loved how loud it was and how the fans were so into the match. We were playing in paradise and was an amazing experience," - Alyssa Ortega, Sophomore Defensive Specialist
"The luau was probably my favorite part of Hawaii. I really enjoyed the food and the show. It will definitely be a memory that will last forever," - Kayla Tello, Redshirt-Junior Defensive Specialist
"J'adore cette photo, car je suis quelqu'un qui aime les couchers de soleil. Je le trouve relaxant et très beau. / I love this photo, because I'm someone who loves sunsets. I find it relaxing and very beautiful," - Jade Defraeye, Freshman Outside Hitter
"It's the symbolism in this photo that does it for me. It provides people with a point of view as if you're following in the foot steps on the volleyball coaching staff, while they lead you towards something as beautiful as Hawaiian sunset. And the only thing as beautiful as a sunset in paradise is the excitement of winning a Sun Belt Conference Championship," - Chris Allen Brown, Assistant Director of Athletic Communication