Taniah Ayap’s intangibles — like her warm heart, and dedication in the classroom and volleyball court — trump her lack of size.
The Waiakea senior setter signed a national letter of intent with William Penn University, an NAIA school in Iowa where she’ll be teammates with 2016 Warrior graduates Casi Gacusana and Brianna Ridgway.
“An athletic scholarship is such an honor to receive,” Ayap said. “Without the support of my coaches throughout my volleyball career, this would not be possible, especially due to the assistance provided by Aunty Jenny Block, who introduced me to William Penn and their volleyball program. I am so thankful for her guidance.
“At first I didn’t think I would receive a scholarship to play volleyball because … well, I’m vertically challenged. At 4 feet, 10 ½ inches, it doesn’t quite make you a desirable player at the college level. But volleyball is my passion and despite my height deficit, I love the game.”
It helps that Ayap carries a 3.7 grade-point average. She plans to major in kinesiology and pursue a career in athletic training. Ayap and Ridgway can be study partners because both will have the same major.
Ayap had a good run with the Warriors, who were the BIIF Division I runner-up to Hilo and lost in five sets to Kapolei at the HHSAA tournament. She landed on the All-BIIF first team.
Last season as a junior in 2015, Ayap, along with Gacusana and Ridgway, helped Waiakea win its first BIIF championship since 2009.
Ayap has been a volleyball gym rat all her life. She plays club ball for Lawakua under coach Wikolia Manu-Olevao and earlier was with Haili Jrs. under Jodi Kalawe and Lyndell Lindsey.
At Waiakea, Ayap was tutored by coach Ashley Hanohano, who played Division I ball back in the day at Fairfield University in Connecticut.
“I don’t play any other sport, only volleyball. It has been in my life since I was young because I grew up in a volleyball family, and I would always spend my weekends at the gym,” Ayap said. “Coach Ashley is one of the best and favorite coaches that I have ever had. She is very supportive of me and especially having a D-1 coach that is a setter, I was able to learn the game from a setter’s perspective, which is priceless. She taught me that anything is possible.
“I was also fortunate to have great coaches that have all had successful volleyball careers, like coaches Jazmin Pa‘akaula, Chelbie Hanohano, Rachelle Hanohano, and Tommy Hanohano.”
Warm welcome
Ayap can count on one thing when she’s in the cold of Iowa, where temperatures won’t remind her of Hawaii. She won’t be lonely with Gacusana and Ridgway to keep her company. They can also lend her extra socks.
“Both of them are very excited for all of us to be playing together again,” Ayap said. “I texted Casi the same day that I signed my letter of intent, and she was so ecstatic, she even called me during class.”
That phone call showed that Ayap is the type of teammate others want to play with. And Gacusana also gives high grades to William Penn.
“The people here are very nice, and the professors are really helpful,” said Gacusana, a medical biology major, who wants to become a pediatrician. “They give you that one-on-one time if you need it. They make sure you know what you’re doing and understand it.
“It’s such a great experience. Once you get to know the girls and how they play you start to gel well with them.”
William Penn has an enrollment of over 1,500 and sits in the city of Oskaloosa, which got a shout-out in Johnny Cash’s song, “I’ve Been Everywhere.” Unfortunately, Hilo wasn’t mentioned.
The Statesmen (same nickname for the men and women) listed 31 players on a squad that finished 7-27 this past season. That’s enough players to field five volleyball teams.
William Penn has a junior varsity program like a few other teams in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.
Gacusana, a libero, started on the JV for a couple weeks and moved to the varsity. Ridgway, a middle blocker, stayed on the JV.
Giant role model
Ayap may go down in BIIF volleyball history as the shortest to ever earn a college scholarship, but she’ll be remembered for her gratitude, especially for anyone who has touched her life.
“Both of my parents (Amos Ayap and Dori Hoohuli) have been a huge influence on me. They are my No. 1 supporters,” Ayap said. “They always encourage me to set higher goals because I know I can achieve them. Without them, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. My parents are volleyball players as well although they’ve never played at the college level.
“My younger brother Taunor is 10 years old, and I hope I am being a role model for him because I want him to further his education as well.”
Taniah Ayap is a role model not only to her brother but also to anyone who thinks they’re not college scholarship material, no matter what their size.
“To earn a scholarship, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication for what you want,” Ayap said. “If a student-athlete wants to play a sport in college, they don’t only look at how good you are, they look at your academics as well which can determine if he or she is qualified to play and earn a scholarship from that school.
“You have to be committed to working hard for what you want because in the end it will pay off.”
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For scholarship help for volleyball, stem or math, contact Jenny Block at punamomcollegereport@gmail.com or 310-743-3216.
