Local star stays on move

Volleyball has taken Joe Kauliakamoa Jr. all over -- from Las Vegas to Provo, Utah, to El Salvador -- and it might be taking him on another journey.

From setter to opposite hitter.

The former Palo Verde High School standout recently returned from a trip to San Salvador for the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation championships, where he helped the United States Junior Olympic Volleyball team to a bronze medal, as a setter.

Kauliakamoa shouldn't get too comfortable in the middle, though, because USA coach Shawn Patchell has different plans for him in the fall, when Kauliakamoa will suit up for Patchell's Brigham Young Cougars as a redshirt freshman.

"He's going to be on the court -- I want to play him," said Patchell, who has coached Kauliakamoa for three years with Team USA. "We've talked about his situation, and it kind of depends on how the roster plays out. What's neat about him is he has a sound understanding of the game -- he could be my best setter, but if I need him to be my opposite, he'll be my opposite."

That Kauliakamoa would start at setter for Team USA and not for BYU says two things: that the Cougars have one heck of a team (25-5 in 2007) and that Kauliakamoa has come along as a leader.

Kauliakamoa always could play, and he was groomed for the game. Almost his entire family is dedicated to the sport, and, as he says, "Volleyball is my life; I was born with it."

But, Patchell said, the naturally quiet Kauliakamoa has become more vocal than ever, particularly in El Salvador.

"He's maturing; he's grown up," Patchell said. "I know he's not going to be a cheerleader. I don't want guys to change their personality, but we do ask Joe to communicate. Our other setter on the national team (Pepperdine's Kasey Crider) is that very vocal guy. It's a good dichotomy between those two."

Said Kauliakamoa: "The leadership I had to put out on the court really helped, and hopefully I can get better at that. I work on communicating more with my teammates, and it's really hard for me. I'm usually just the quiet type. But when it's game time, I definitely think to myself that it's the real deal."

Now in Provo, Kauliakamoa is getting a chance to be more vocal, helping Patchell run a summer volleyball camp for BYU. He's running around with young girls, passing down the lessons learned from his mother and father, Debbie and Joe Kauliakamoa Sr., who run Las Vegas' Molten Volleyball Club.

Then there are Joe's sisters, setter Tamara and opposite hitter Trina, both former stars at Palo Verde, where Trina was named Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year in 2005.

But don't forget Grandpa Fred Hiapo, whom Kauliakamoa considers his mentor. Hiapo helped the Molten USA Over-70 team to the 2008 USA Open Championship.

"He's coaching a group of young ladies this week, and he's doing a nice job," Patchell said. "He has a good, sound understanding of the game. It goes beyond his dad. His grandfather is a wonderful player -- an All-American. He's grown up with it -- playing since he was 10 years old."

While Kauliakamoa is coaching the young girls, though, Patchell still is coaching him. Their bond isn't exactly forged on tough love, but Patchell is clear that Kauliakamoa's spot on Team USA did not come by accident, or by collusion.

"There's no controversy at all," Patchell said of Kauliakamoa's selection on the team. "He definitely belongs on that team -- and this year, he really had to earn his spot. I've coached him for three years, and each time, he's had to compete against a very competitive group of setters."

Said Kauliakamoa: "I love playing for him; he knows what to say, what to do. Playing with the USA team made me ready for college, with Shawn -- you get the experience of playing high quality volleyball, and we do pretty much the same drills."

Except now, Kauliakamoa has to learn double the drills and double the assignments -- as a setter and as an outside hitter.

No matter to him, though.

"I am always excited to play anything for BYU, and I don't really have a favorite," Kauliakamoa said. "I just want to get to that court and start at something. I respect all the setters here; I'll play my part. I love hitting, too. You still have to fight for the spot and try at whatever you do.

"I know coach wants me to become the next big thing, and I thank him for that. Hopefully I can make everybody proud."

Contact reporter Jon Gold at jgold@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0264.