One of Coronado High’s most noteworthy grads was not in attendance when the school held its homecoming events three weeks ago.
But volleyball standout Rachel Purser is back this weekend to represent the University of Hawaii in the Lucky Aces Volleyball Invitational at the Orleans Arena.
Purser, who finished her high school career as one of the most dominant middle blockers in the program’s history, will have little time to reminisce. The Rainbow Wahine will see plenty of action between Friday and Sunday with matches against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Iowa State and UCLA.
“It was so surreal when the plane was about to land,” she said of her return home Thursday. “The plane tilted, and I saw the Strip and thought, ‘Wow, I am home.’”
The 6-foot-3-inch freshman has produced 48 kills, 25 blocks and three service aces this season, and leads the team with a .328 hitting percentage. She has become an integral part of the team and has drawn acclaim from first-year coach Joshua Walker.
“She kind of just goes with the flow,” Walker told Hawaii’s KHON2. “‘What you need me to do, Coach?’ And then she just tries it. You don’t know how important that is for growth.”
The weekend in town has reminded Purser of the growth that has occurred since 2020, when she was a latecomer to the game.
“I played basketball my whole life,” said Purser, who has four brothers. “But all the courts got shut down during COVID. All my brothers played volleyball, and there was a court near our neighborhood. We played every day, and I fell in love with the game.”
She joined a club team and then Coronado’s squad, where she helped the Cougars to a 5A state championship and three runner-up finishes in her four years there. She finished with over 800 career kills and was named the 2025 5A state tournament MVP.
Her return to Las Vegas has reminded her of her beginnings.
“My proudest moment was senior night, looking at all my accomplishments,” Purser said. “I really miss all my friends from the team, but I know some of them are coming out this weekend to see me play.”
But her focus is on NCAA play now. Her acclimation to Hawaii has gone well, as her mother attended BYU-Hawaii and traveled there with the family frequently.
But the college game has taken some mental adjustments.
“It’s very different from high school,” Purser said, noting that the level of play is beyond anything she knew existed. “In college, you really have to try to get better. No more dilly-dallying. You have to try to be your best every day. But it’s nice having really good coaches. I listen to what they say.”
And that has made all the difference.
“I was very goofy in high school,” she said. “I look back at film now and wonder how I ever made it this far.”
She knows she has a way to go. Hawaii is one of the five winningest programs in NCAA history. The Rainbow Wahine have won four national titles and have placed as the NCAA runner-up four more times.
Purser said she loves the fan base that comes with that history.
“My first match, I just looked up at that huge crowd cheering for me,” she said. “This team is no joke.”
Action in this weekend’s tourney begins Friday against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 6:30 p.m. and closes out Sunday with a 2:30 p.m. match against UCLA. The Rainbow Wahine are 6-2 and will attempt to extend their five-match winning streak.
Contact Jeff Wollard at jwollard@reviewjournal.com.
