University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Volleyball Announces Addition of Mehana Ma'a to Staff
3/6/2023 10:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Jenny Hazelwood has announced the addition of Mehana Ma'a to the Southern Miss volleyball staff as an assistant coach.
"Mehana is such a huge asset to our volleyball program," Hazelwood said. "She knows how to win and brings such a high level of volleyball knowledge along with her great people skills and strong work ethic. She won a DII National Championship and then led USCB to a great season in her final year. She has already been in the gym this week for practices and has fit right into all that we are doing with Southern Miss volleyball."
Ma'a just wrapped up a decorated playing career at the University of California Santa Barbara, where she was the Gauchos' leading setter and team captain. While leading UCSB to a 20-win season in her senior campaign, Ma'a served as the head beach volleyball coach for East Beach Volleyball Academy in Santa Barbara, Calif. She guided the team of 10 players and helped the club to a 5 percent membership increase.
"I am so thankful and excited for the opportunity to work with Coach Hazelwood and the Southern Miss Volleyball program," Ma'a said. "I appreciate all that Jeremy McClain and Brian Morrison do to support our volleyball players and staff and am looking forward to helping build USM volleyball into a championship program."
As a Gaucho, Ma'a recorded 1,075 assists over 176 sets and 50 matches. UCSB put up back-to-back 20-win seasons with Ma'a facilitating the offense and she also excelled on the defensive side -- she recorded a career-high 170 digs during the 2021 season.
The Kane'ohe, Hawaii native also has coaching experience with Rancho Valley Volleyball Club in San Berndadino, Calif. Prior to transferring to UCSB, Ma'a guided Cal State San Bernadino to a Division II National Championship in 2019. She was named a CCAA All-American for her efforts. During the national title run, Ma'a played in 108 games and 32 matches en route to dishing out 675 assists. She ranked 166th in the nation and 7th in the conference for total assists, while ranking 186th nationally and 10th in the conference for assists per set.
Ma'a joins the staff affter former assistant coach Lexi MacLean returned to Arkansas to join the Razorback staff in the same role.
