‘Heart’ of the Loggers named MVP of the Big 5 conference

By barstoolfanatics on November 11, 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

Photos by Ray Hasmill/HumboldtSports.com – Tiarah Maualuga, left, has been named MVP of the Big 5.

By Ray Hamill — Tiarah Maualuga has been named MVP of the Big 5 in volleyball after leading the Eureka Loggers to their first conference championship in seven years.

The junior standout was not just one of the best players in the Big 5 this year, but it was her leadership on and off the court that really propelled her team to the championship and a first playoff win in about two decades.

And her coach, as much as anyone, appreciated what she brought to the team.

“Tiarah is very deserving of MVP,” Eureka head coach Stephanie Napoleon said. “She led our team in kills, but more importantly she led our team.

“She is the heart of this team.”

Maualuga, it seems, always found a way to raise the level of her game when her team needed it the most, including big performances against conference rivals and contenders Arcata and Del Norte.

“It is something special when you have someone who is athletic, powerful, kind and so passionate about winning that they can motivate others to play their best,” Napoleon added.

“That is Tiarah. We saw it several times this year, when we were down and she encouraged and inspired the team to keep fighting, and they did just that.”

Her play on the court also played a pivotal role on the path to success.

“Tiarah is a very powerful hitter, but she is also very smart and will find a way to score,” Napoleon said. “She is also very coachable. She listens at practice and makes adjustments when I give her feedback.”

As a junior, the best is still to come for Maualuga, who also is one of the most impactful basketball players in the H-DNL.

But more importantly, according to her coach, Maualuga has been a good teammate and a good person to have around the program.

“She has been so fun to coach these last three years, and I rely on her a lot,” Napoleon said. “Many of those games, it was so loud the team couldn’t hear me and it was pivotal to have her on the court motivating them after every point.

“She is a really great kid and I feel lucky to have been a part of her high school career.”

The junior standout was one of six Eureka players to receive all-league recognition after their breakthrough season.

The Loggers finished up 7-1 in the Big 5, including a high-pressure conference-clinching victory at Del Norte on the final night of conference play.

Senior Macy Secor and juniors Eddy Hale and Alena Battle also were included on the all-league team, while sophomore Ramona Dusel and junior Violla Kingsang each received an honorable mention.

Five of the six Eureka players to be included are due back next year, which could make the Loggers the early favorites to win the Big 5 again in 2026.

Arcata’s Nora Brumbaugh also was named to the all-league team after an outstanding year, as were her teammates Pearl Smith and Harper Appy.

The Tigers finished 6-2 in league and placed second.

The Del Norte Warriors remained in contention for the conference championship until the final night of action and have two all-league selections.

The outstanding Bliss Blackburn was included after playing at an MVP level for much of the campaign, along with the impressive Kansas Coulson.

McKinleyville’s Liana Stumpf and Fortuna’s Madilyn Roberts also were named to the all-league team after big seasons for their teams.