As the Brigham Young University-Hawaii women's volleyball team prepares for the postseason, it will rely on “;hometown girl”; LeeAnn Mapu to lead the way.

“;She is like a quarterback to our team,”; BYUH coach Wilfred Navalta said of the 5-foot-7 senior setter who grew up in Laie. “;She sets the rhythm, tone and tempo.”;

With three conference matches left this season, the Seasiders (17-6, 13-1 PacWest) have already clinched the Pacific West Conference volleyball title, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II West Regional Tournament on Nov. 20-22.

Mapu's athleticism and leadership will play a big role in how far the Seasiders go into the postseason.

“;The players respect her,”; Navalta said. “;They see her as a person who understands the system and they trust her because she is producing. The players really have faith and confidence in her.”;

Mapu ranked second all-time at BYUH in assists, sixth all-time in service aces and ninth in digs. Mapu was the Pacific West Conference Freshman of the year in 2005 and first-team all-conference the last two years.

Mapu's four years at BYUH have been a plus for her and the school. Her family attended home games regularly and because Mapu is from Laie, it was natural for the community to support one of its own athletes who does well.

This became reality because Navalta was willing to take a risk on the 2005 Kahuku High graduate when others did not. Mapu, an OIA East honorable mention her senior season, did not think she was good enough to play volleyball on the collegiate level.

Navalta saw differently.

Although Mapu was not highly recruited, Navalta scouted Mapu from her sophomore season at Kahuku. BYUH was the only school to offer Mapu a scholarship.

“;The reason we recruited her was because of her all-around athletic ability,”; said Navalta, who has coached BYUH since 1985. “;As far as setting, she's right up there with the best setters we've had in the past.”;

These accolades did not come without challenges. Navalta said the Seasiders lacked players with volleyball skills needed to complement Mapu in the first few years of her career. During that time, Mapu worked hard to improve her volleyball skills. This year, things have come together for Mapu and the Seasiders.

“;The team's volleyball skills are catching up to their athletic ability,”; Navalta said. “;That's why we are more effective.”;

As the Seasiders finish up their regular season and head into postseason play, Mapu said the team must stay focused, work hard and remember what made them successful this year.

  “;We enjoy playing with each other,”; Mapu said. “;We have to continue to push ourselves and each other. This has been the funnest team I've been on in my four years.”;

Outside hitter Faylynn Merrick said Mapu leads by example and encourages others to play above their abilities. Merrick is confident that Mapu has what it takes to lead the Seasiders through the postseason.

“;Her spirit is infectious,”; Merrick said. “;Her will and desire to play is so great that it always makes everybody want to step up their game. We have been working hard and this is something we all want.”;

Mapu comes from a family of athletes. She began playing volleyball in the sixth grade. From junior high through high school, she played for the North Shore Volleyball Club. Many of her club teammates also attended Kahuku High, where Mapu played both basketball and volleyball.

During her sophomore season at BYUH, Mapu played guard for the women's basketball team.

“;That was it for me,”; Mapu said of basketball.

Mapu plans to graduate in June with a degree in social work and then work toward a master's degree. She wants to work with women and children at high risk in Hawaii.

“;A lot of my family members are social workers and I like to help people,”; Mapu said. “;A lot of people who need services don't know what services are out there.”;

For now, Mapu's focus is to do everything possible to finish the season strong.

“;We have to put in more effort now,”; Mapu said. “;This is crunch time. I'm done after this. My time here (at BYUH) has been good for me.”;