Get to Know Best Setter Awardee Taimane Ainu'u

In the pantheon of burgeoning young setters, Ainu’u is leading the charge for the next generation. A 6 foot setter/opposite out of Kapolei, Hawaii, she is a natural leader on the court who leads a dynamic and diverse offense. She slings the ball effortlessly from pin to pin, adjusting to each hitter's individual reaches and capabilities, drawing out the most of their potential. Ainu’u has such a good feel for the game and knows whether to facilitate or go against the flow, to push a quick shoot or to throw up a high four ball. More often than not, her choices wind up with her hitters in a one-on-one scenario – or even completely beating the block all together. With an offense defined by its precise nature and disposition, both her game and composure are matured far beyond her years. After her recent performance in the Pan American Cup, It’s evident that with Ainu’u – USA is in good hands.

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Taimane’s passion stems back to watching her older cousins play, at just six years old she fell in love with the sport – she told her father she wanted to play and started training in the garage with him. “I realized volleyball was my passion and I had big goals and dreams for the sport,” she says. Big goals indeed – Ainu’u was recently selected and played with the U19 Team for the NORCECA Pan American Cup, where they came in first place. “It felt really amazing to represent my country and win gold,” she says. “I really loved the experience and it was so much fun because I was able to play the sport at such a high level with such amazing girls.” She ran an unpredictable and dominant offense, convincingly earning the title Best Setter in the Cup. “I was very grateful for the opportunity to be there and just contribute to the team whether I was on or off the court.” 

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A ripe talent like Taimane has undeniably caught the eye of some top collegiate programs going into the 2028 recruiting season, and she is going to be a highly-sought over prospect. Ainu’u is making sure to weigh her options; “I have started looking into colleges, and all my options are open.” She wants a collegiate career that will facilitate a transition into a professional one, and she has all the raw potential necessary to be molded into an Olympian. “My goal is to play division one volleyball and then end up playing professionally and I’m just going to keep working to achieve those goals.” Trust me, Taimane Ainu’u will be a name you will be hearing a lot in future years as she inevitably attaches more accolades and victories to her resume; a rising star not burning out anytime soon.