Hilo Alum Chartrand to Play Volleyball at Chaminade

Chaminade University announced Tuesday that Hilo High School graduate Waihilo Chartrand will be joining the school’s volleyball team for the 2014 season.

Chartrand, a 2012 Hilo graduate, spent two seasons at Eastern Arizona College, playing as a libero and defensive specialist. Last season, she finished third in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference in digs per set with 4.29. The Gila Monsters went 17-10 last season and 10-6 in the ACCAC.

Eastern Arizona College competes as a Division I member of the National Junior College Athletic Association.

With an opportunity to finish out her final two years of eligibility at another school, Chartrand had an chance to get closer to her roots, and Chaminade became her first choice to continue her collegiate volleyball career.

“For one, just to be back in the islands, you know, and to be able to play and my family can come watch because it’s closer,” Chartrand said. “It was good to go away and experience those two years away and then be able to come home and still play.

Technically, Chartrand is already a member of the Chaminade family, registering at the school during the spring semester. She was a member of the Silverswords’ sand volleyball team, participating in two matches during the “Chaminade-HPU Beach Challenge.” Chartrand and partner Regina Johnson lost both matches they played in.

The experience in the sand is a new one for the former Viking standout. “It was a good experience. I liked it,” she said.

When describing the biggest difference in playing the outdoor game as compared to the indoor version, she talked about the difference in the amount of players active during play. “It’s only two people playing and you have to be able to read and know where to go,” Chartrand explained.

Chartrand won’t be going to Chaminade alone. Her Eastern Arizona teammate and roomate, Suncica Bakic, also committed to play for head coach Kahala Kabalis.

Most of Chartrand’s family is on the Big Island, with a few family members on Oahu to see her regularly. Chartrand will get an opportunity, though, to play in front of her close family when Chaminade visits the University of Hawai`i at Hilo, a PacWest Conference opponent, during the season. The 2014 season schedule has not been announced yet.