Hilo native and volleyball star Malu Garcia will soon be taking another big leap in her career.

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Hilo native and volleyball star Malu Garcia will soon be taking another big leap in her career.

One of UH-Hilo’s top players recently decided to make the jump to professional women’s volleyball — signing with OTP Banka Branik, a club based in Maribor in the Slovenian Volleyball League. Founded in 1946, the team is among the most successful in the league, winning the Slovenian Cup 21 times.

Garcia will be moving to Europe at the end of this week, and will shortly join the team for the upcoming CEV Champions League, a 32-team tournament that features clubs from all over the continent.

“It’s going to be really fast once I get there, but I think it’ll be super fun as well,” Garcia told the paper in a phone interview. “I’m nervous, but I’m prepared.

“I’m ready to make a name for our island and be able to experience cool things. It’s a roller coaster of emotions.”

Under coach Ziga Kos, the club is acquiring one of Hawaii’s most talented players. During Garcia’s sophomore season at Hilo in 2025, she started all 29 matches — leading the Vulcans in points (452) and kills (375). Garcia was rewarded with PACWest Conference Newcomer of the Year and All-PacWest First Team honors, while also getting an AVCA West All-Region First Team nod.

Garcia helped Reed Sunahara’s program clinch a 20-9 overall record and earn a berth in the PacWest postseason, where the Vulcans advanced to the semifinals against Point Loma.

Garcia played her freshman season at the University of Iowa, where she was tasked with facing some of the top players in the nation in the Big Ten. She started all 26 matches in 2024, leading the team once again in points (331) and kills with 278.

Despite a strong freshman campaign, Garcia felt a calling to return to her hometown for her sophomore year.

“(Playing) in the Big Ten as a Hawaii girl came with a lot of responsibilities and challenges that I had to overcome, and a lot of people that I had to face to even be able to play,” she said. “It was also hard not having any Hawaii people with me and having to adapt. But overall, it took some time, and I still had a great experience.

“When (Sunahara) gave me the opportunity to play at UH-Hilo, I wanted to come home — even if they are a Division-II program. I wanted to show other Hawaii girls that they don’t have to go far away to make a name for themselves.”

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Garcia was born in Hilo and spent the first decade of her life there before moving to Oahu to play more competitive volleyball. Interestingly enough, volleyball wasn’t the first sport she fell in love with — it was rodeo.

“My brother in law is from Molokai, so he brought rodeo to our family in Hilo,” Garcia recalled. “We did a lot of rodeo stuff, but when I was about 8 or 9 years old, I slipped off the saddle during barrel racing and hit my head.

“After that, my parents said, ‘No, you’re done with rodeo, We’re gonna put you in volleyball and basketball.’ It was my parents who really pushed me to keep pursuing volleyball — my mom saw the potential in me.”

The rest was history for Garcia. Prior to moving to Oahu, she played for Keaukaha and the Pi‘opi‘o Bears youth programs.

“I’ve gone through so many things in life, and I’m so grateful that I’m from Hilo and have that community by my side,” she said.

At Moanalua High School, Garcia played three seasons of varsity volleyball for the Na Menehune. She was named All-State three times, the Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA) Player of the Year twice, and was selected as an Under Armour Next All-American. Garcia also played club volleyball for Ku‘ikahi.

“(Moanalua coach Alan Cabanting) really pushed me to be great, and building new connections and relationships with all of the girls is something I miss most about Honolulu,” Garcia said. “To me, the awards were nothing — I think it was just being able to play in a big spotlight with a lot of great people.”

Garcia also had a simple but powerful piece of advice for Big Island athletes that dream of being in her shoes: just go for it.

“Don’t stop — you’re gonna have ups and downs and so many obstacles in your way, but you got to keep pushing through. No matter how small or big you are, anyone can make it big. As long as you have the mindset and the heart to play the sport you love, you’ll get anywhere.”

See the paper in the coming months to read more about Garcia’s professional volleyball journey in Europe.

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