By KEVIN JAKAHI
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Tribune-Herald sports writer
Maua Vole Jr.’s life has been a series of enduring tests, and each has been passed with a testament to his perseverance.
The 2010 Kealakehe graduate is the definition of a late bloomer. He didn’t start playing football until his junior year, but recently signed a national letter of intent with Jamestown College, an NAIA school in North Dakota.
The Jimmies finished with a 3-7 record last season. They were 5-5 the two previous years, and had a 7-3 record in 2008.
“Maua’s size and athleticism at the defensive end position caught our eyes as a coaching staff,” Jamestown coach Shawn Frank said. “He moves well with his feet and shows great strength at the point of attack. Maua is a very good athlete who plays the game with a high motor. He shows a skill set in rushing the passer, which helps his overall game.
“We are excited that Maua has chosen Jamestown College. He is a great fit as a person and player.”
The 6-foot-1, 269-pound defensive end was born in Samoa, and moved to Kahuku — the Oahu football powerhouse — for his sophomore year, not speaking much English. He concentrated on school, taking it on the chin while learning a new language.
“It was hard. It was really hard,” he said. “They teach English in Samoa. But we don’t really speak English. The only thing we learn is how to read. We talk to the teachers in Samoan.”
Now, he sounds like any local guy at the beach.
Before he could get too comfortable, the family moved to Kailua-Kona during the summer before his junior year. He decided to try out for football at Kealakehe, and felt like a round peg on a field with square holes.
“Everything was new and different,” Vole said. “The training was different and the stuff they do. The only thing I was familiar with was tackling people. That was the fun part.”
He played rugby as a seventh grader in Samoa. Rugby is the most popular sport in Samoa, which has a population under 175,000. There are roughly 120 clubs with more than 10,000 players.
“It’s way easier with pads on for football,” Vole said. “In rugby you have to know how to tackle or you’ll get hurt. With the pads, it’s easier. You feel protected.”
In his junior season, Vole was on the second string and got a few starts in the trenches. As a senior, he started and also played fullback, scoring three touchdowns — his highlight as a Waverider. That season, he also received All-Big Island Interscholastic Federation honorable mention.
The football bug bit him and he got hooked on the game, deciding to walk on at Saddleback (Calif.) College. Unlike junior colleges in Arizona, jucos in California don’t offer scholarships for football.
Vole soon faced another challenge, a caliber of competition much different from the BIIF. In fact, Saddleback, which finished 8-3, was loaded with talent, too. Vole is one of 16 players to sign with a four-year college.
One of those players is Gauchos quarterback Ben Gomez, who signed with Lindenwood University, and broke Colt Brennan’s school records with 3,651 passing yards and 33 touchdowns.
“It was way harder. A lot of bigger guys than high school,” Vole said. “A lot of guys were my size or bigger than me. And they got skills there, too. It was a different level and I had to work hard and learn my plays.
“When you know what you should do on the field and not be confused on the field, it makes it easier to make plays. Then you can go 100 percent.”
After his two years at Saddleback, Vole went looking for a new home. He had a 2.8 grade point average, and enough interactive savvy to draw multiple offers. Dakota State, Faulkner (Ala.) University, Benedictine (Kans.) College and Ottawa (Kans.) University — all NAIA schools — offered scholarships.
“I had contacts with a lot of schools and sent them my film and info on the website hudle.com, where coaches look at kids from junior colleges,” he said. “They look at your film, and I sent ones on YouTube. I kept in touch with Jamestown and they were willing to offer me.
“After I got the scholarship, I felt set. I didn’t have to worry about any other school. I could relax and start training. I can’t wait to go. I’m really excited and miss football already. I like how it’s a contact sport and I want to try and make it to the pros. That’s my ultimate dream.”
His backup plan is to become a police officer or work in law enforcement. He plans to major in criminal justice. Vole is also more than the typical student-athlete. He’s a husband and father to his son, Manuia, who will turn 2 years old April 25. His wife, Kaysha, whom he met at Kealakehe, and Maunia will likely fly to North Dakota when he gets settled.
“My life is hard, but I’ve made it work. I went to college and finished my two years at a junior college, and now I’ve got a scholarship,” he said. “I have a kid and wife now. That motivates me more, to keep pushing and working hard.
“I’m trying to set a good example for my son. I want to be the best example I can be for him.”