Kamalani Cachola
Assistant Coach
18s Mana Wahine
Aloha! My name is Kamalani Cachola**, and I am incredibly excited to be part of something brand new with AZ United Volleyball—something that is new in name, but strong at heart.
Volleyball has been a part of my life since I was nine years old. Born and raised on **Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi**, I graduated from **Aiea High School**, where my love and passion for the sport continued to grow. My athletic journey actually started with softball, but everything changed when I walked into a gym and watched women competing at a high level. I was amazed by their skill, discipline, and ability to play the game so effortlessly. At just 10 years old, I knew I wanted to become that kind of player, and I began training seriously in volleyball.
My father played a huge role in shaping me as both an athlete and a person. He taught my siblings and me the importance of **discipline, humility, hard work, and preparation**. Those values have stayed with me throughout my playing and coaching career and continue to influence the way I coach today.
I began playing recreational volleyball before making the transition into competitive volleyball. By the age of 13, I was competing at the national level. Throughout my playing career, I was fortunate to have many incredible coaches in Hawaiʻi who helped shape me into the player and woman I am today. Their impact is something I carry with me every time I step onto the court.
After graduating from high school, I continued my playing career at the collegiate level in Oregon. During my freshman season, our team made it to the **National Championship Tournament for the first time in 10 years**. On the first day of the tournament, we defeated the number-one team in our pool—a moment that perfectly represented the competitiveness, belief, and love for the game that our team carried.
After my college season, an injury led me in a new direction and I accepted a coaching position at my high school as the freshman coach. That opportunity sparked the beginning of my coaching career, and I have been coaching volleyball since **2019**. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to coach athletes across various ages and competitive levels, continuing to learn and grow with every team.
When I moved to Arizona, I was fortunate enough to meet **Coach Jacob**, who opened my eyes to a different perspective of volleyball while also sharing many of the same values and coaching philosophies rooted in our Polynesian backgrounds. In Hawaiʻi, volleyball is more than just a sport—it is a huge part of the community and culture. I am incredibly grateful to have been welcomed into his **Ohana** and to have shared so many years of coaching, learning, and growing together.
Coaching alongside my sisters, **Hoku and Kayla**, makes this journey even more special. We have coached together for several years, and I have also had the opportunity to coach both of them throughout their own playing careers. Being able to continue that journey together is something I truly value.
I still play competitive volleyball today, although maybe not quite as intensely as I used to! My passion for the game, however, has never changed.
My goal as a coach is to pass that passion on to the next generation. I want our athletes to develop a **hunger for the game, a strong work ethic, discipline, confidence, and a genuine love for volleyball**. Most importantly, I want them to understand that being part of a team means being part of an Ohana—supporting one another, competing together, and growing together.
I am incredibly excited to meet all of the new faces this season and to help make our **AZ United Ohana even bigger and stronger**. I can't wait to see what we can accomplish together!