My family and I are members of The Church of Jesus Christ. We try to live like Him and learn from his life through the scriptures. He was the ultimate leader.
6'2
Height
S
Position
Texas Advantage Volleyball
Club
Featured | Recognition
Team Captain
Setter of the Year
MVP
#1 Ranked Setter Texas
All State
Team Captain
Setter of the Year
MVP
#1 Ranked Setter Texas
All State
Intro
In her own words
Meet the person behind the player.
“Hi I'm Charli! I am the 2nd of 5 children living in Salado, TX on a ranch. I love playing volleyball for the connections and relationships I get to make through this sport that I love. I'm currently committed to Indiana University so I'm not preparing for the next level on and off the court. Thanks so much for stopping by!”
Watch Me Play
Recruiting Film Room
The plays that tell the story.
Curated clips, reels, highlights, and match footage selected for this Athlete Page.
Clips & Reels
Swipe the Film Room
Tap any card to watch. Instagram opens from the original post.
My Game
Player identity
How I impact the game.
The player behind the film: how I play, how I help a team, and how I respond when the game asks more from me.
setter / setter
High IQPhysicalCalm under pressureSmart decision-makerConsistent
Player identity
“I'm a tempo driven setter that likes to create as many opportunities as possible for my hitters. I love throwing off the defense with fun plays and setting up my hitters for success.”
Strengths
What a coach should notice.
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Team impact
What it feels like to play with me.
I am an empath at heart and try to bring people up when they're struggling. I love seeing my hitters succeed!
Calming presenceSteadyCompetitiveEncouraging
Practice
In practice, I thrive best when the environment is positive, encouraging, competitive and growth minded.
Match
In matches I try to stay steady and consistent for my team. Having a calm presence is my goal especially for my hitters to thrive best in their own lane.
Competitive response
How I respond when it gets hard.
Locked inComposedNext-play mindsetFocused
After mistakes
After a mistake, I reset and try to keep my chest up to show my team that I am ready for the next play.
Reset tool
My favorite hack is box breathing. I learned this from Jamie Morrison when he coached us at USA NTDP. It's been one of my favorite hacks for a mental and physical reset.
Current Spot
Current chapter
Where I am right now.
Current status
Club
Texas Advantage Volleyball · Club
High school
Salado High School
State
TX
Graduating class
Class of 2028
Position
Setter
Height
6'2"
I’m in the Class of 2028 and currently play club for Texas Advantage Volleyball. I also play high school volleyball at Salado High School in TX. My current status is Committed.
Commitment milestone
Committed to Indiana University
Indiana University
I'm so grateful to all those that helped me get here. What an honor to be a Hoosier!
Current Spot
Committed to Indiana University
Go Hoosiers!
What to notice
So excited to be a Hoosier!
Right now
What to know about this stage.
The context around this chapter — the stage, situation, and current transition someone should understand right now.
Current chapter
“Although I started my volleyball career as a middle blocker, transitioning to setter has become one of the greatest blessings in my journey. Those early years gave me a unique perspective that still helps me read defenses and lead an efficient offense today. I'm grateful to continue developing with Kim Maroon and Coach Jonny Nasgowitz at TAV 17 Elite as I prepare for the next chapter of my career at Indiana.”
Active focus
What I’m focused on right now.
Right now, my focus is preparing for the next chapter at Indiana University by continuing to grow as a setter, leader, and competitor. Through USA Volleyball training, I'm developing new tempos and expanding my offensive game, while competing with TAV 17 Elite under Coach Jonny Nasgowitz alongside some of the nation's top players. Every practice and every match is another opportunity to learn, improve, and prepare for what's ahead.
Current Spot
USA Training
What to notice
Training with some of the best coaches and players in the country is honestly been such a blessing
Who I Am
Beyond the player
The person a program would be inviting in.
In my own words
“Outside of volleyball, I am someone who cares very deeply about people. I've tried to be there for those that feel alone, need a friend. My faith and family mean everything to me and am so grateful for the friendships that volleyball has brought into my life.”
Values
What shapes how I show up.
Value
Faith
My family and I are members of The Church of Jesus Christ. We try to live like Him and learn from his life through the scriptures. He was the ultimate leader.
I am the 2nd of 5 children. We were able to welcome my little brother and little sister into our family and helping raise them has taught me so much. I love my sisters and brother so much.
My father comes from a first generation Tongan family. His father came over from the island of Tonga and this culture of love, service and spirit is a huge part of our family.
I've learned through service, work and other jobs how important it is to give back. I've loved working with many of the kids in our community through volunteer service, camps and other things that helps me look outside myself.
Every business that my parents have run, they've involved us in every step. I've loved putting on different Alpha Leadership events, it's taught me so much confidence in my abilities.
My mom played volleyball at Washington State, my father played football at BYU and my aunts played at St. Francis, BYU and professionally beyond.
My dad has spent the past five years working as Dwayne Johnson's photo and stunt double. His job has brought many fun opportunities for our family.
Support + growth
How to get the best from me.
Direct feedback in an emotionally controlled environment is how some of my favorite coaches have coached.
Growing up in a Polynesian household we have very direct communication. Coaches can be very hard on my as long as trust is established.
I love being developed and free to make mistakes.
Program presence
What a team can expect from me.
Presence
Encourager
I love to be encouraged and I hope to do the same for others.
I love to be encouraged and I hope to do the same for others.
If things get intense, as a setter I try to bring a calm strong presence.
Staying steady as a setter is important for passers to do their job first and for my hitters to relax after mistakes.
Being an empath can be taxing on the emotions but I'm grateful that I'm able to read to where people are at and meet them there. I feel I can use this to my best abilities as a setter to feel my hitters and my team and pull them out of a funk or spiral.
What Others Say
Street Credibility
The proof other people already see.
Media mentions, rankings, awards, coach comments, teammate quotes, and public proof that backs up the story.
Reviews & Receipts
Swipe the proof wall.
Tap a card to flip. Open media or source when available.
My Vision
Next level
The future I’m building toward.
Future path
“Whether I start or contribute in other ways, I want to immediately make an impact on a team in more ways than one.”
Future path
Where I’m going next.
Swipe the vision cards. Tap to flip.
Fit
The kind of fit that helps me become my best.
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See More
Worth seeing
More from my world.
Swipe the cards. Tap the image to open the original. Tap the corner icon to view inside Alpha.
Featured
Charli Niu Presents
Charli Niu presents is a way for me to feature those that I look up to most! I've loved all that I've learned through this process so much <3
Instagram • Podcast • instagram.com
Curated extras
A few more things worth seeing.
6 items
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My volleyball and life instagram page
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Charli Niu Presents
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Thoughts, dances, interviews and more
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SAIGE KAʻAHAʻAINA-TORRES
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Contact
Next step
Let's connect.
If this page helped you understand who I am, this is the clearest way to reach out.