ALOHA, KALEI!

With her skills and tenacity, Kalei Mau could have easily played as an import in European countries.

Yet, she chose to ply her trade in a place she calls home — Philippines.

Mau made it to the country like a supernova flashing in dark skies.

She just had a shoulder surgery and would be sidelined in the next several months when she got a call from Joshua Ylaya, the team manager of United VC in the Philippine Superliga.

“I just had gotten my shoulder surgery which was going to leave me up for about a year. But they told me that I could play as a local in the Philippines and compete in international tournaments,” said the 6-foot-1 spiker, who was thrilled by the idea of representing her country in various international tournaments.

“So what they offered me was a contract to come over here and to rehab my shoulder. When I’m 100 percent ready, that ‘s the time I can play for the team and represent the country in international tournaments .”

But the journey to glory wasn’t easy.

UVC struggled as various setbacks from personnel matters to chemistry problems hounded the Asset Managers. Finally, just weeks before the All-Filipino Conference last year, United VC pulled to plug and disbanded the team.

Mau was at a crossroad. Fortunately, one of the league’s most successful teams in F2 Logistics had enough room in its roster to accommodate her.

Still, there one thing that would complete her, the main reason why she opted to fly in the country: Playing for the national team.

After impressing ranking officials of the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. (LVPI) with her work ethic and on-court talent, Mau was chosen to be part of the squad that would see action in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Manila.

“I was really confident in the team that I have been part of. That news really broke my heart,” said Mau, who was told that she needs to transfer federation before she could play in the SEA Games.

“What made it really disappointing for me and for everyone is that I have been with them since the tryouts in January. I attended every single practice and didn’t miss it even once.”

With her heart broken into a million pieces — and the country being hammered by novel coronavirus pandemic — Mau admitted that she is toying with the idea of packing her bags for the United States.

“There’s actually a professional volleyball league starting in the United States, I think next year. Hopefully, it will go well. If that takes off and I’m still a USA volleyball player, that would be such a great opportunity,” Mau said.

“Meanwhile, what encourages me to stay and be part of Philippine volleyball scene is basically that I think there can be some great volleyball players coming out of this country in the next few years.”

Mau said missing the SEA Games was very difficult.

But she’s carrying on.

She still wants to help Philippine volleyball one spike at a time.