Before walking into the old gym at 8 p.m., people can hear the laughter and loud music coming from the volleyball open play every night. Upon entrance to the gym, students chat with one another while they wait for their turn to join the game. Players are focused, spiking and hitting the ball with strength and precision. When someone misses a ball or spikes it out of the field, the players tease and laugh with each other.
“It doesn’t matter where we’re from,” said Nuuausala Taituuga, a junior from Samoa studying hospitality and tourism management. “Volleyball brought us together. … You get to meet different people from different parts of the world, and that’s amazing.
“When I play in a great environment where I am surrounded by family and friends, I get to build that relationship with them.We love what we’re doing, and we create our happiness.”
A diverse, loving environment
Taituuga explained the fun between diverse players is what creates the welcoming environment. For example, she said she and one of her co-workers connected over their love for volleyball. She invited her to come to the open play. The following day, she said they played together and have since become closer as friends.
“It really helps me to build good friendships with other people, which is awesome,” Taituuga said. “Volleyball is something you don’t have to be serious about. You can have fun and smile and be entertained.”
Jason Katonivere, a junior from Fiji studying biomedical science, said because he is from the islands, he knows mainly Polynesians who know how to play volleyball. He added meeting people from different countries who know how to play connects him to more students on campus. “They know how to play, and we see we have similarities. We come together, and it is the best. It connects different cultures.”
Friendly competition
Katonivere said sometimes students get really competitive, but they don’t take themselves too seriously. “We still have the mentality that we are students, and we came here to play just for fun.”
Letoee Taituuga, a senior from Samoa studying biochemistry, said, “Sometimes it seems very competitive, but most of the time people are very friendly and inviting.”
Since coming to the games, Letoee Taituuga explained she has seen lots of students become better at playing. “I noticed there were some students who didn’t know how to play when they first started, but after one week, I could see their improvements.”
Nuuausala Taituuga explained there was one girl who caught her attention because she came even though she wasn’t good at playing. She said she realized the student wanted to come to have fun and enjoyed herself hitting the ball any way she could.
“It created that feeling of happiness, and we just laughed a lot, “ Nuuausala Taituuga said. “That’s the thing for me. Going to volleyball makes me laugh and share a smile with other people.”
Promoting a balanced life
Nuuausala Taituuga said volleyball serves as a means of balance in her life because it helps her calm her nerves, especially during finals. She said she would go to the gym whenever she felt overwhelmed with her studies.
“Even just playing one hit of the ball, just one game, that’s it for me. It really uplifts me a lot, and I come home with a different feeling and can finish whatever I was stuck with.” She added volleyball recharges her focus and motivates her to finish her schoolwork so she can have time to play.
Letoee Taituuga explained some students experience difficult days where they struggle, maybe because they miss their family, but volleyball can help them leave their worries behind. “It’s like playing with your family. You’re having fun and forget about your struggles. It’ll make your day.”
All are welcome
Letoee Taituuga said it is hard for her to open up to people, but volleyball has helped her gain confidence by stepping out of her comfort zone. “If you come with shyness, you’re going to come out as a different person.”
She said she understands students who are intimidated at first, but advised them to simply try it out. She has seen students open up, get better and gain confidence after a few days of playing. “Students need to go and see how loving the people are over there. You will find friends for life.”
Nuuausala Taituuga emphasized a simple “Hello,” and a smile can open doors for friendships. She explained asking players how their day was and trying to get to know them helps people feel more connected.
Katonivere said when he invites people to come to volleyball, they often say they are not good enough to play. He said the first step is to simply come.
“Just come and try. One of my friends who I invited first said no, but now comes every night because he loves it. You will automatically love volleyball.”
He added coming with an open mind is essential no matter the years one has played or one’s experience. “You can learn a lot from other students, like strategies and rules. Sometimes I apply it and say to myself, ‘I need to do this or apply this.’”
A rekindled love
Letoee Taituuga said she has been playing volleyball for as long as she can remember and uses it as medicine to destress.
She said she has played in ward and stake tournaments and for school and college teams. In addition, Letoee Taituuga said she joined a volleyball team with friends, where she competed for Teuila festivals and Samoa Independence Day.
In Samoa, she said it came to a point where she was tired of playing volleyball every day, but coming to BYUH rekindled her love for the sport. “Back home, it was hard for me to go back to volleyball. Here, it is hard for me to stop.” •