Of all his qualities, it was patience that served Leilehua High\u2019s Max Aiono the best while transitioning from the football field to the volleyball court as a freshman. <\/p>\n
For two years, his time on the court came in practice and seldom in games. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was left bench,\u201d Aiono said of his freshman and sophomore seasons. \u201cI watched. I wanted to be on the court. I knew I had to push even more (for playing time). I had to change a lot of things and adjust my game.\u201d <\/p>\n
Aiono\u2019s rise began during his junior year, when he cracked the starting lineup for the Mules and was a key component for a Leilehua team that made the Division I state tournament field. <\/p>\n
This spring, he blossomed further as an outside hitter. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy senior year, I wanted to put everything together,\u201d Aiono said. \u201cI had to do what I had to do to help our team.\u201d <\/p>\n
Aiono\u2019s perseverance paid off in a big way, as he recently was chosen as OIA West Player of the Year in a vote of league coaches. <\/p>\n
He helped lead Leilehua to an 8-5 season this spring, which included a 7-3 record in the West. <\/p>\n
Losses to Moanalua and Mililani ended the Mules\u2019 bid for a return to the state tourney, but Aiono\u2019s volleyball days are far from over. He accepted a scholarship offer from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and will continue his education in the fall. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey watched tape of my games from last year and offered in February,\u201d said Aiono, who plans to major in cosmetology. <\/p>\n
UCSB went 17-10 overall this past season under head coach Rick McLaughlin, including a 13-9 record in the Big West Conference. <\/p>\n
Aiono recently took some time to visit with Central Oahu Voice. <\/p>\n
Who\u2019s had the biggest impact on your life? <\/strong> What is your earliest sports-related memory?<\/strong> What\u2019s the most important thing you\u2019ve learned through athletics?<\/strong> When did you know volleyball was the sport for you? <\/strong> What website do you frequent the most?<\/strong> What is your least favorite household chore?<\/strong> What movie could you watch over and over?<\/strong> What is your dream destination?<\/strong> Name three of your favorite musical artists? <\/strong> How do you like to spend your free time? <\/strong> Given the opportunity, what celebrity would you most like to meet? <\/strong> You\u2019re stuck on Kaho\u2018olawe and can have an endless supply of just one food. What would it be? <\/strong> Of all his qualities, it was patience that served Leilehua High\u2019s Max Aiono the best while transitioning from the football..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[120],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54009","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-central-oahu-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nMy dad (Hugh). At home or with sports, he taught me to work hard. <\/p>\n
\nI started playing football when I was 9. I didn\u2019t have a choice. My whole family grew up playing football. It\u2019s why I changed to volleyball. I used to watch people play volleyball at a park in Mililani and wanted to play. <\/p>\n
\nTo make sure you be who you want to be, and don\u2019t listen to negativity from anyone else. <\/p>\n
\nI didn\u2019t play until I was a freshman. I was already tall, so if I wasn\u2019t playing football, volleyball was likely to be my next sport. <\/p>\n
\nI go on Instagram a lot \u2014 whenever I have time. <\/p>\n
\nI don\u2019t like cleaning the bathroom. I don\u2019t like cleaning the toilet. <\/p>\n
\nI like to watch Fifty Shades of Grey. <\/p>\n
\nI would go to New Zealand. <\/p>\n
\nNicki Minaj, Rihanna and Beyonce. <\/p>\n
\nI like to go shopping, and I like to go to the beach. <\/p>\n
\nChris Brown. <\/p>\n
\nI like Churros.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"