OMAHA, Neb. — The Creighton Volleyball team has added Arizona transfer Mahina Puaa to the program. Puaa will enroll in the spring semester next week and have one year of eligibility remaining.
A 5-foot-7 setter, Puaa (Ma-HEE-na, POO-ah-ah) hails from Honolulu, Hawaii, and played the 2017 and 2018 seasons at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where she played for former Creighton star Alicia (Runge) Williams.
“Were excited to have Mahina join the program,” said Creighton head coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth. “She played for two years at Iowa Western for one of our alums, Alicia Williams. Alicia has said what a fantastic player and leader she is, as well as what a great setter she is. I think shell be a great addition even though well only get her for a year.”
At Iowa Western, Puaa was named a First Team NJCAA All-American after leading the NJCAA in assists per set as both a freshman (11.17) and sophomore (11.41). She helped the Reivers to a 77-7 record while recording 3,127 total assists. IWCC placed third nationally in 2018 and seventh in 2017 as she was named all-conference both seasons.
Last year at Arizona, Puaa played in 36 sets and 15 matches overall as a reserve. She had eight digs, four assists and one ace for a Wildcat team that won 15 matches.
Puaa won three letters and was an all-state performer at Punahou High School in Honolulu, Hawaii. She also played for the Rainbows Volleyball Club.
Creighton finished the 2019 season ranked 16th nationally after going 25-6 and winning a sixth consecutive BIG EAST regular-season title.
