Veteran Kiwi volleyballer switches commitments to represent Samoa

Pogai Falema’i is back on the volleyball court after being away four years from the game.

“The standard has really changed. A lot of good players and the young ones coming up,” Falema’i said.

Despite her absence, she is pushing her chances to represent Samoa at the games.

“This is probably the only opportunity I will get. Like to play to play in front of our home crowd in Samoa.”

Falema’i is no ordinary player, She was once a New Zealand rep at the previously vote of the country’s best set four times in a row at the New Zealand Cup Nationals.

“I enjoyed most of the volleyball and travelling and the fellowship with other players,” she said.

In 2015 Falema’i decided to take a break after being pregnant with her daughter.

“Ever since I had her, I kind of lost interest in volleyball or playing other sports,” she added.

But she realized that she had to return to volleyball, since it was her passion.

Coach, Hollice Palelei says it is amazing having her back on the court.

“When she decided to take a break, we never thought that she would come back again and big ups to her for giving it another go,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pacific Island volleyball players gathered in numbers at the Annual South Pacific challenge in Auckland last week to see where they stand before the Pacific Games in July.