FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 22, 2020) – Things have a way of coming full circle in life, and for Northern Arizona University women's basketball newcomer
Miki'ala Maio that has been exactly the case.
Born in Nanakuli, Hawaii, Maio was initially recruited by the University of San Diego as she attended Kamehameha Kapalama High School. However, the lack of an open scholarship left Maio without an immediate Division I opportunity. When NAU head coach
Loree Payne took over the Lumberjacks in April 2017, she attempted to recruit Maio and bring her to Flagstaff, but the high school senior had already committed to Salt Lake Community College.
"I just felt at that time, I made my commitment to my community college. I was excited to be a JUCO kid pretty much," said Maio, who had come in contact with SLCC thanks to a connection between the college and San Diego's coaching staff.
Helping SLCC win 51 games during her tenure, Maio averaged 12.0 points and 4.5 rebounds during her Bruins career. After two years in Salt Lake, during which she received NJCAA All-America second team honors and was named the NJCAA Region 18 MVP, Maio reached the D-1 level as she transferred to the University of Nevada. Just as they had two years prior, NAU's staff sought to bring Maio to Flagstaff, but their best efforts were spoiled as they watched her move west to Reno.
However, the stars finally aligned following the 2019-20 season, as Maio departed the Wolf Pack following her junior year. Averaging 5.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in 28 games, including 12 starts, Maio elected to make another move for her senior season. Three years after initially being pursued by NAU, Maio felt it was finally the right time to just give the Lumberjacks a shot. Although Maio did not make an official visit to Flagstaff, or meet the program's coaches or other players in person due to the pandemic, she said it really just felt "full circle."
"It was like, ok well, like we've been asking for you since high school and since (my) JUCO, and then we're going to keep asking you right now. So I was like, you know, I've heard only good things about Northern Arizona University," Maio said.
Maio has not looked back on her decision to join the Lumberjacks this fall, as the instant connection she has felt with the other women in the program has only strengthened her feelings on the choice. Maio described the dynamic of the team of just being overwhelmingly supportive and that they all just seemed to "click."
"If one person on our team is hurting or struggling with something, they're going to reach out or they're going to talk to their teammates. We're going to feel that struggle too, that empathy," Maio said.
Joining the program just a few weeks before the renewed national push of the Black Lives Matter movement and protests following the killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, Maio said the program's shared vision for racial equality and social justice has only furthered that unity among the group.
Maio, as well as the rest of the Lumberjacks, have stressed that these battles, to end racial injustices and systemic racism, are too important to stop talking about.
"And then tell people to vote. Vote, vote, vote. Those are the two things that I think it's very important right now, especially in these times," Maio said.
