Jacob Laikona
Head Coach
16s Mana Wahine Koa
18s Mana Wahine
Coach Jacob Laikona brings a passion for volleyball, competition, and developing young athletes both on and off the court. A former multi-sport athlete at Tempe High School, Jacob played four years of varsity volleyball and earned numerous honors, including MVP, First Team All-Region, All-Region Player of the Year, First Team Tempe All-City, and a selection to the 2001 Arizona North All-Star Team.
Jacob’s coaching journey began through his daughter’s love for volleyball. What started as an opportunity to coach her during her first club season quickly developed into a lifelong passion for coaching and developing athletes. In 2017, he founded Club Mana, where he coached and developed athletes from 12U through 18U for nearly a decade. His club coaching experience has included working with athletes at every level of competition and competing on some of the highest stages in junior volleyball, including the USAV 18s National Championships.
Throughout his coaching career, Jacob has remained committed to creating opportunities for athletes to grow, compete, and reach their goals. He believes that every athlete deserves to be coached, challenged, and given the opportunity to discover what they are capable of.
At McClintock High School, Jacob has coached both boys’ and girls’ volleyball and has helped build programs centered around discipline, accountability, hard work, respect, and family. His coaching philosophy is deeply influenced by his Hawaiian heritage and the concept of ʻOhana—the belief that a team should support, challenge, and take care of one another.
Jacob incorporates cultural values such as "Lokahi" (unity) and "Hana Hou" (doing it again and striving for more) into his coaching philosophy. He believes these principles extend far beyond the volleyball court and help athletes develop the mindset and character necessary to succeed in life.
What I Enjoy Most About Coaching
What I enjoy most about coaching is watching an athlete discover what they are truly capable of.
I love taking an athlete who may not believe in themselves yet and helping them develop the confidence, discipline, and mindset to realize their potential. Watching that transformation—from uncertainty to confidence, from hesitation to fearlessness—is one of the most rewarding parts of being a coach.
For me, coaching has never been just about winning volleyball games. The wins are great, and competing at a high level is something I will always value, but the greatest reward is watching athletes grow into **confident, responsible, and resilient young adults** who understand the value of hard work, accountability, leadership, respect, and commitment.
I want every athlete who comes through my program to leave better prepared for life than when they arrived.
My goal is to create an environment where athletes are held to high standards while knowing they are supported every step of the way. I want them to understand that success is not simply about talent—it is about the willingness to work, learn, respond to adversity, and continue moving forward.