The Journey of Team USA Setter Saige Ka'aha'aina-Torres | Texas, Pro Volleyball & VNL

Team USA setter Saige Ka'aha'aina-Torres joins Bump Set Chat to share her incredible volleyball journey—from growing up in Hawaii to winning a national championship at Texas, playing professionally in Puerto Rico, France, LOVB and Major League Volleyball, and earning a spot on the 2026 USA Volleyball VNL roster.

Saige opens up about:
🏐 Growing up in Hawaii's unique volleyball community
🏐 Her recruiting journey and why she chose Utah
🏐 Entering the transfer portal and finding the perfect fit at Texas
🏆 Winning the NCAA National Championship
🎓 Playing for Jerritt Elliott and Erik Sullivan
🌎 The transition to professional volleyball overseas
🇵🇷 Playing in Puerto Rico
🇫🇷 Life playing professionally in Paris
🇺🇸 Returning home to play in LOVB and Major League Volleyball
🇺🇸 The emotions of putting on the Team USA jersey for the first time
🏐 What she's learned from veteran setters like Jordyn Poulter
💡 Advice for young setters looking to reach the next level

Whether you're a setter, player, parent, or volleyball fan, Saige shares incredible insight into leadership, communication, confidence, and what it takes to compete at the highest level.

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@teamusa
0:00
1:28 SK background
3:10 Girls vb on the island
4:10 Club ball and unique coaching style
5:00 The volleyball hook **
6:05 Volleyball Role models on the island **
7:00 Volleyball community back home
8:00 The 9th island**
8:40 recruiting process and why Utah **
11:00 Going to portal and going to Texas **
12:00 Utah memories **
13:10 first year and hitting the ground running **
14:45 Being away from home prepared SK to play overseas **
15:30 Texas adjustment **
16:40 At college d1 everyone is all state **
17:50 You don't snap heads as a setter **
18:55 You need to be good at all aspect and every position **
20:10 don't put yourself in a box **
20:50 Freshman Saige advice *
21:40 Winning a Natty **
22:50 losing 1 game all season and the aftermath ***
24:30 The joker on that Natty winning team *
24:55 What SK learned from playing with Logan and AO **
26:50 First impression of JE at texas*
28:35 The secret is out **
29:20 Erik Sullivan **
31:20 What JE pushed SK on **being a leader
33:50 knowing how your different team mates need to be communicated to **
35:40 What makes Texas so successful **
37:30 How did Texas help SK get ready to play pro **
39:00 Going pro and starting in PR *
40:30 PR experience ** We are not in Texas anymore
41:50 Pro in Paris **
43:20 Unique paris coach **
44:00 D1 vball vs pro ball in Paris ** Dont set the Outside in PRO
45:25 Coming back to the US to play PRO **
46:30 Rooks dont know how good you have it **
47:10 first year playing in LOVB **
47:50 MLV experience **
48:35 adjusting to the difference levels of play in various leagues **
49:30 First year on the TEAM USA radar ** Karch
51:00 Getting the jersey **
53:05 Walking into the senior gym ** Poulter
54:00 ERIK - being welcoming in the TEAM USA GYM **
54:35 1st year VNL experience *
55:40 What dos SK learn from the veteran setters **
56:30 Asjia Poulter story **
58:05 biggest mentor over the years **
59:10 pre game rituals *
1:00:00 Resetting **
1:01:20 What does SK enjoy about being a setter **
1:02:30 Building trust with hitters **
1:03:25 scouting **
1:03:55 Erik teaching Chess and juggling ** Texas volleyball
1:06:55 Gotch you **
1:07:20 Quick systems **
1:08:00 what other young setters can do to improve their game **
1:09:00 The impact of growing up in hawaii *
1:10:10 representing Hawaii **
1:11:05 Spam musabe
1:11:20 toughest and easiest position
1:11:50 Away from the court **
1:12:40 Who is next **