UH signs one of top ranked Hawaii high school players

One of the top-rated high school recruits from Hawaii will remain in the state.

Hawai’i coach Charlie Wade announced Friday that high school senior Austin Matautia has committed to play for the Rainbow Warriors beginning in 2017.

Matautia, a 6-foot-4 outside attacker from Honolulu, was ranked No. 3 on the Honolulu Star-Advertister Fab 15 all-state list and made the Volleyball Magazine 25 Underclassmen to Watch list earlier this year. He also helped lead his high school team to three consecutive third-place finishes in the state playoffs and has earned back-to-back conference player of the year honors.

“Austin is one of the best players in the country at his position and is the best high school player in Hawai‘i this year,” Wade said in a statement. “This may be the first time ever the best boys volleyball player in the state has chosen to stay home and play for UH. I view this signing as a win for all UH sports fans. Having the best high school player in his or her respective sport stay home to represent Hawai‘i is good for UH Athletics, it is good for all UH sports fans and it is great for the kid and his family. Austin understands what it means to represent UH, to represent Hawai‘i and is looking forward to the responsibilities that come with being a Rainbow Warrior.”

Hawai’i finished last season earning the program’s first berth to the NCAA Tournament in almost a decade. The Rainbow Warriors also have multiple starters returning for the upcoming season, including all-conference setter Jennings Franciskovic and outside attacker Sinisa Zarkovic.