INDIANAPOLIS – Member of the Mauloa 17’s Pono team are saying “Aloha” in a big way in this year’s USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships.

Seeded sixth (last) in Pool 1 of the 17 National division, Mauloa is fast serving notice it belongs in the conversation for contenders for the gold medal round. The Honolulu team won all three of its first-round, first-day pool matches on Tuesday at the Indiana Convention Center, including a stunning three-set rally against top-seeded OT 17 O. Danny, to take the early lead in its pool.