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The day came when 11-year-old Maddix Taniguchi had words of finality.
Her mother, then Charise Fujimoto, was a three-sport athlete at Mid-Pacific, playing softball, basketball and volleyball. Lance Taniguchi played football and baseball at ‘Iolani.
Young Maddix was compelled to think about all the sports she tried. Basketball. Tennis. Soccer. Baseball. Softball. Volleyball was one of those later sports, something she didn’t realize she loved until the question surfaced.
“It was a choice out of passion. One of my softball practices, one of my coaches said, ‘Raise your hand if you want to play in college.’ I was the only kid who didn’t raise her hand. I just remember saying, I want to play volleyball,” said Taniguchi, now a senior libero for the No. 1-ranked ‘Iolani Raiders. “I didn’t think that’s something that was going to actually become my sport.”
Her father could hear his oldest child’s growing devotion to the sport.
“She enjoyed it so much she was willing to practice and practice. We realized to get better you’ve got to do it mentally, at home. Maddie and my wife would bump to each other. Me? I’m horrible.”
Charise Taniguchi remembers that day clearly.,
“She said, ‘I don’t know if I love (softball). I just want to focus on volleyball.’ That was in sixth grade,” she recalled.
Years of club volleyball tested Maddix Taniguchi’s mettle.
“When she started club, she had been the person on the bench who has to put in the extra work to get to the same point as somebody who may be more gifted,” Charise Taniguchi said. “Going through the adversity has helped her to go through so much. She can relate to a lot of different people because she’s been there.”
Last year, ‘Iolani’s very young squad was ranked No. 1 for much of the season. Taniguchi started for most of it but struggled in the final weeks and lost her starting position. She returned in the state championship match and helped the Raiders rally before they lost to Kamehameha.
At a lot of programs, a future college volleyball player is an automatic starter. At the level of ‘Iolani, Punahou, Kamehameha, nothing is guaranteed. Taniguchi has learned with time that iron truly sharpens iron.
“If I could go back in time, I’d tell myself that it’s OK to struggle, but don’t ever stop believing in yourself. Work hard. Stay true to who you are. Know that your effort will eventually open the doors you’re hoping for,” she said.
The frustration with the benching last year, Taniguchi turned into high-octane fuel.
“Coach Kyle (Miyamoto) helped me a lot. Last year, I didn’t get to start the last match, but he put in a lot of time to get me extra reps. You’re not always going to find a coach to help you with that,” she said of the ‘Iolani teacher and assistant coach. “He has also helped me to elevate my mental part of it. That’s also something I’m appreciative of.”
It was Miyamoto who recommended a book, “Mind Gym,” to Taniguchi. Balancing time, energy, even ego, matter to high-level student-athletes. The task at ‘Iolani is only pronounced by the load of studying and homework required on a daily basis. Learning to battle for her spot made her better.
“At the end of the day, it’s part of sports. On a competitive, high-level team, your coaches are going to do whatever it takes to give your team the best chance of winning. As an athlete, you’re going to give up or grind through that to find a way,” she said. “To improve yourself for the girls. ‘Iolani is all ‘One Team.’ Being there from kindergarten, you’re playing for your team and the players before you who made the program what it is today. It’s not easy. It’s finding your weaknesses and drilling that down, and finding your next weakness and drilling that down. It’s not going to happen all at once.”
The Raiders (12-3 overall, 5-0 ILH) host No. 2 Kamehameha, a team it beat in five sets two weeks ago, today. Then, the Raiders embark on a trip to Las Vegas to play in the Durango Fall Classic on Friday and Saturday. The once underclass-heavy unit is a little more grizzled, cerebral and tenacious after watching Kamehameha seize the crown last year. Setter Bailey Nakanelua, last year’s Star-Advertiser Player of the Year, continues to distribute seamlessly to 6-foot-2 junior Poema Kalama-Kingma, 6-foot sophomore Taimane Ainuu and 6-1 Georgie Lee.
Taniguchi has been relentless, racking up 112 digs in 15 matches. Her career digs to total is 546.
“Maddix has grown tremendously as a libero and as a leader for our team. She naturally has a good platform and good touch on the ball,” ‘Iolani coach Kainoa Obrey said. “Learning to handle the challenges of playing the libero position is the biggest jump. Libero is a difficult position to play because you cannot erase your miss with a swing. High standards are needed to play that position, and Maddix committed to becoming the best version of herself every day. Her maturity as a person who understands the big picture helps our team keep calm.”
Obrey also coaches Taniguchi with Ku‘ikahi Volleyball Club. She saw action mostly as a serving specialist as a freshman for ‘Iolani when the Raiders won a state title.
“Right off the bat, he’s a coach who’s going to take whatever it takes to win. That’s a big difference. As much as we are passionate about winning, he’s a competitive guy. He’ll come into practice and playing games with us and trying to beat us, too,” she said. “In the past year or two, I understand more from an adult and coaching side of it. It takes conversations from coach to player to understand.”
The Raiders still feel the anguish of last year’s title-match loss. They’ve learned to play with that open wound.
“The difference is we know what it takes to be in that last match and we know what it’s going to take to win that last match,” Taniguchi said. “Losing that championship is the worst feeling ever. Everyone except our two freshmen know how badly we want it as a team. We’re going to have to grind through it. We knew it’s going to probably take even more than last year. Even though we’re still a young team, we’re willing to do that and it’s the best feeling. These girls are young, but they’re actually mature. Being close as a team, our chemistry is really strong and we know how to help each other through our strengths and weaknesses. We have great players and everybody can play everywhere in a sense. That’s not something that every team is going to have. We know how to work together. We’re really focusing on playing for each other and being there for each other.”
The future is bright for the daughter of Dr. Lance Taniguchi. She is considering following his path to become a pediatrician. Early interest came from Wayne State (Neb.). Later, she heard from Brown, Cal Baptist and Gonzaga. Playing at summer camps, including Cal Baptist and UC San Diego, made a difference.
“I loved it,” she said.
The beach is her favorite place to decompress. She has gone shelling with Kamehameha standout and Ku‘ikahi teammate Kala Chock. There are no beaches in Philadelphia, but Taniguchi’s future appears to be heading to the City of Brotherly Love.
“After the camps (in California), I went back home for two days and then we flew to Philadelphia for a camp at Temple. We got to drive around, my mom and oldest brother (Brody). We tried Philly cheesesteak and I got to be a tourist for a day,” Taniguchi said.
The camp went well for her, but the sights and sounds of the city were mesmerizing.
“I found that I love the city. Being in the area, when you experience it, it’s eye opening. There’s always so much to do. I can never really sit still,” she said. “When I got back home, they called and offered me a spot.”
The roster spot would be as a walk-on. Taniguchi has a 3.7 grade-point average and will get academic-based aid.
“They’re looking for some type of scholarship for me. The thing about Temple, even though it’s far from home, I had a good feeling I would have a good experience there,” she said.
Former Ku‘ikahi clubmate Nikki Shimao played at Temple and Syracuse.
“She told me she loved her experience at Temple,” Taniguchi added.
If she doesn’t go into medicine, Temple offers a strong business program, she said.
“Maddix is going to continue playing at Temple and we are excited to see her growth at the college level,” Obrey said. “My advice: Embrace and enjoy the journey!”
Another former Ku‘ikahi teammate is current UH libero Kahea Moriwaki.
“Maddie came to my senior night at Punahou and started crying, saying she was going to miss me. The best part was when I told her I wasn’t even leaving the island. She said it just wouldn’t be the same without me at club practices or competing against each other in school ball,” Moriwaki said. “I ended up getting emotional, too, because I knew what she said was true.”
Q&A WITH MADDIX TANIGUCHI
‘Iolani volleyball • Senior • Libero
Libero recovery process
“You’re going to get bust up and get bruises everywhere. It’s how you take care of your body afterwards. We have an ice bath and a Normatec at home, a compression for your legs. We turned an ice box into an ice bath. People use it to freeze meat, I think. There’s already water and we have something that makes it cold. My parents’ friends made one for themselves and my dad asked them to make one for us.
“It makes a big difference. Icing one part of your body that hurts is one thing, but with constant diving you’re not only getting bruised up but sore. Putting your whole body, or your legs, I don’t know how it works muscle-wise, but it helps recovery.”
What is something you are passionate about that might surprise most people?
“Wanting to help out children. Growing up, I actually didn’t want to do what my dad (Dr. Lance Taniguchi) did. The blood and stuff. Two years ago I started to get more interested in it. I used to watch all the babies at family gatherings. I used to say my dream job was to be a babysitter.
I don’t want my job to be, oh I have to go to work today. My dad always says it doesn’t feel like work to him. I help around at the office, follow one of his partners and see with patients what it was like. I started looking into it.
Favorite hobby: Shelling
“I actually have gone with Kala (Chock of Kamehameha) before. Sometimes I go by myself. We went out to Waianae side before, but we weren’t able to find anything. It’s also based on luck. I donate shells to one of my classmates (Debbie Park) who makes bangles. She sells it and the profit goes to homeless teens.”
“My family isn’t the type, we never went to church. My great-grandma (Lai Hung Hee) passed away when I was in fifth grade. She was very religious. She went to a Chinese church and a group of them came to the funeral and gave a blessing to her on their own. That was what started to get me more interested in going to church. You hear families go to church.
“They were at her casket. I felt like wow that’s so special. Something they’re able to share. I feel like she was one of the kindest people ever. Looking up to her, they were special to her and I wanted to experience.
“I only started going to church about two years ago. That’s something I do on my own. My parents are super supportive. Sundays I like to go church and go to farmers market after that.”
Top 3 movies/shows/books
“I’ve seen it seven times. Watching her as a little girl by the ocean, I can re-watch it and never get tired of it. Her connection with her family is super cute.”
2. “Friends”
3. “Mind Gym”
It’s a book from one of my coaches Kyle (Miyamoto).
Top 3 homemade food
1. Mom’s squash spaghetti
“The noodles are actually squash that’s shredded.”
2. Mom’s mabo tofu
3. Dad and mom’s teriyaki salmon
“I can cook and bake. I just need a full recipe.”
Top 3 foods/drinks (eating out)
1. Mango green tea (Sharetea)
2. Matcha maiko (ice cream)
3. Pieology – spinach, green bell pepper, tomatoes, chicken, onions, bacon bits.
Top 3 music artists/favorite song
1. Elevation worship
“My favorite worship song is not Elevation. It’s “Rest on Us” by other groups.
2. SZA — “Nobody Gets Me.”
3. Bruno Mars — “Just the Way You Are”
Favorite athlete: Lexi Rodriguez
“She played for Nebraska. Now she plays pro for Omaha. Watching her play is one thing, but her interviews, and off the court, she’s super down to earth and able to connect with people. It takes a certain characteristic trait to know how to support your teammates through the highs and the lows. She knows how to connect on and off the court. She’s a captain and a leader in that.”
Funniest teammate: Annaura Reid-Gillete
“This girl is non-stop talking. She has no filter and no shame. She makes me laugh probably once a day. Whatever she says is just the most random ever.”
Smartest teammate: Georgie Lee, Kaiya Hadlock
“They’re both juniors. They’re probably the smartest on the team. I know they do really well in school.”
Favorite teacher/class: Mrs. (Robin) Tokin, junior year; pre-calculus, design 3D, ceramics
“She was my pre-calculus teacher. I feel like as teachers, yes, they’re supposed to be there to help and support you. She’s able not only to be there and really want them to succeed. It’s not something you’re able to get with every teacher. She finds ways to connect with us or make class fun. She will take the time out of her busy day to be there and support us through everything.”
Favorite scripture:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Bucket list: Skydiving, Disneyland
“You can actually only do it when you’re 18, so I’m waiting until after school season. I’ve been to Disneyland multiple times, but that’s not stopping me. I collect their bubble machine. I have two right now.”
Shout-outs: My parents, two younger brothers and grandparents, who are my biggest supporters and come watch me play; family friends who I consider family because it takes a village. ‘Iolani and Ku‘ikahi coaches (Kainoa Obrey, Kelli Obrey, Jared [Yamamoto], and Kyle Miyamoto). I would not be where I am today without them. Daniel Mar Chong, my workout trainer. All the coaches and mentors who have believed and supported me throughout this journey. I’ve thanked many times before and am forever grateful.”
