HONOLULU — Tali Hakas just made it from half a world away.

The Hawaii sophomore hitter arrived back in the islands late Wednesday night ready to get back into the swing of collegiate competition fresh off a stint with Israel’s national team.

But will there be enough time to prepare for Friday’s season opener against Southern Methodist University in the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic?

What You Need To Know

  • The Hawaii women's volleyball team opens its 2024 season against SMU in the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center at 7 p.m. Friday

  • UH got sophomore hitter Tali Hakas back into the fold Thursday from a stint with the Israeli national team, which competed in European championship qualifying matches in August

  • Hakas, who had to take three flights from Slovenia, said she was ready to take the floor with her new teammates

  • UH, SMU and San Diego, the three teams in the tournament, all received votes in the AVCA/Taraflex preseason poll

“I’m not worried. They know me. I know them,” Hakas told Spectrum News before taking the court at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center for her first and only preseason practice session with the 2024 team. “We just (had) a great year last year, and then the spring (season). So I’m ready to go with them.”

In three flights, Hakas covered the nearly 8,000-mile journey from Slovenia, where Israel’s last match occurred. Her country is attempting to qualify for the 2026 European championships; it went 1-1 in qualification matches with her in August.

She’d planned to return home with the Israeli team and fly to Hawaii from the Middle East, but given the chaotic state of affairs in Israel with its ongoing war against Hamas, Hakas decided against taking the chance.

Her family remains safe, she said, a continued relief nearly one year after the major conflict broke out while she competed in Manoa.

“The country is in an emergency state every time,” Hakas said. “As a national team, we had to get out. We didn’t know when we would get back.”

Hakas averaged 1.71 kills per set in 27 matches for UH last year, including 13 starts as a true (albeit older) freshman.

She was an easy-to-read barometer of team emotion, as she’d eagerly jump into a teammate’s arms after a big play.

“I’m so happy to be back. I’m so glad to be with the team,” Hakas said. “I heard so much good stuff about the freshmen, about the seniors. Everyone’s so hyped right now so I just want to be part of it.”

It is a much younger team overall, but one that is still expected to contend in the Big West Conference. Setter Kate Lang, libero Tayli Ikenaga and hitter Caylen Alexander are the key holdovers from the 24-9, NCAA Tournament second-round squad of 2023, with the 5-foot-11 Hakas representing something of a wild card for coach Robyn Ah Mow.

Hakas considered the national team experience valuable as it provided her a broader understanding of where she fit in the global game.

“I think that mentally I’ve changed a lot since this summer,” Hakas said. “I was one of the youngest in the (UH) team to play. I know what I can give. Yeah, I’m a sophomore, but I’m older, so I know what I can bring to the team.

“I want to be myself, bring up everyone and just enjoy it.”

SMU could provide a stiff first test. The Mustangs went 26-7 last year, including 18-1 in the American Athletic Conference. SMU, in another sign of the times of rampant conference realignment, is now in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The teams last met in 2004, when both teams were members of the Western Athletic Conference; UH boasts an 11-0 all-time record in the series.

San Diego is the third team in the tournament; the Toreros of the West Coast Conference will meet SMU on Saturday night and play UH at 5 p.m. Sunday.

All three teams received votes in the AVCA/Taraflex preseason poll but are outside the top 25.

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.