HONOLULU—University of Hawai'i head coach Robyn Ah Mow announced the addition of Talia Edmonds to the 2022 roster. Edmonds is a 5-7 libero/defensive specialist junior transfer from Michigan State who has two years of eligibility left.
 
For her MSU career, the Kalamazoo, Mich.-native appeared in 191 sets in 58 matches while recording 298 digs, 60 assists, and 25 service aces. Edmonds started the first 16 matches this past season at libero and remained a primary defensive and serving specialist. She led the Spartans with 238 digs in 2021 while serving as the team captain. In the classroom, she earned Academic All-Big Ten honors two times. This past December 2021, Edmonds earned her Bachelor's of Arts in human development and Family Studies with double minors in Youth & Society and Women's and Gender Studies. Currently, she is enrolled at UH as a post-baccalaureate student who is working towards the social work Master's program.
 
Edmonds was a highly touted student-athlete coming out of Kalamazoo Central High School. She earned 13 varsity letters in volleyball (4), basketball (4), softball (4), and soccer (1) while earning First Team All-Conference honors in volleyball, basketball, softball, and soccer. In volleyball, she was named all-conference four times; all-region two times; and all-state honorable mention honors as a senior. Off the court, Edmonds earned Academic All-State honors in both volleyball and softball and is a member of the National Honor Society
 
It will be a homecoming of sorts for Edmonds. Her mother, Elizabeth "Peka" (Malae) Edmonds grew up in Honolulu and played volleyball at UH-Hilo from 1981-84. Peka Edmonds helped to lead the Vulcans to an AIAW National Championship in 1981 as well as four consecutive NAIA National Championships in 1981, '82, '83, and '84. Peka Edmonds earned NAIA All-America second team honors in 1984. That same season, she was voted to the NAIA National Championship All-Tournament First Team. She has been inducted into the UH-Hilo Vulcan Hall of Fame twice—once as an individual in 1998 and secondly, as a member of the 1981 team which won two national championships (AIAW, NAIA) in the same season. Talia's father, Lawrence, played basketball and was the team captain at Nazareth College. He served in the United States Army and is a graduate of both Army Airborne and Ranger School
 
"We are very excited to announce the addition of Talia to our program," says Ah Mow. "Talia is a proven leader who represents the type of person and student-athletes we want to add to the Rainbow Wahine culture. She will provide immediate experience, leadership and competitive drive. We cannot wait to hit the ground running in the gym and let the competition unfold in our back court."
 
"I chose Hawaii because of its esteemed volleyball culture, aloha, and tons of respect for the game," explains Edmonds. "My family is rooted in the islands. My Mom would bring my brother and I to Honolulu from Kalamazoo all the time to visit my Grandma Tinā, all of my aunties, uncles, and cousins. One of my favorite childhood memories is getting to play at the Rainbow Wahine summer volleyball camps at the Stan." She continues, "I'm excited to have the opportunity to partner with a coaching staff that is so knowledgeable and passionate about the game. I'm looking forward to working hard, growing as a leader, and contributing to the Rainbow Wahine success! –Go 'Bows! 🌈🏐"