Bellevue University head coach Trish Siedlik announced today the signing of twin sisters 5-0 defensive specialist Lia Aiwohi (Ewa Beach, Hawaii/Farrington HS) and 5-0 setter/defensive specialist Mila Aiwohi (Ewa Beach, Hawaii/Farrington HS) to letters on intent to continue their athletic and academic careers at BU beginning in the fall of 2023. 

Both sisters prepped at Farrington High School under head coach Raymond Patcho and played club volleyball at Laule's Volleyball Club under coach Tristan Ehia.  

Mila Aiwohi, 5-0, S/DS, Ewa Beach Hawaii (Farrington HS)

• Earned first-team all-OIA GVB East Division honors in 2022
• Led team to the Hawaii State Tournament for the first time since 2018
• Second-team all-OIA GVB East Division selection in 2021
• Recorded 1,102 career assists, 274 digs, and 82 service aces
• Selected to the all-tournament teams at the 2022 Aloha Region Summer Classic and the 2022 Aloha Region Regionals
• Earned the Top Hat List Award - GPA of 3.5-3.8
• Recipient of the Governor's List Award - GPA of 3.8 and above for three quarters 

Siedlik Quote: "Mila is a quick and consistent ball handler at both defense and setting. Watching her balance and stay tight to the net, she can do amazing things with the ball."

Lia Aiwohi, 5-0, DS, Ewa Beach, Hawaii (Farrington HS)

• Earned second-team all-OIA GVB East Division honors in 2022
• Led team to the Hawaii State Tournament for the first time since 2018
• Honorable mention all-OIA GVB East Division selection in 2021
• Recorded 704 career digs, 113 assists, and 98 service aces
• All-tournament team selection at the 2022 Aloha Region Spring Break Madness Tournament
• Earned the 2022 Aloha Region Regionals Aloha Spirit Award
• Three-time Governor's List Award winner (GPA of 3.8 and above)
• 2019-2020 Top Hat List (GPA of 3.5-3.8) 

Siedlik Quote: "Lia is also fast and has range that is smooth, but what stood out was how hard she works with her feet to get behind the ball."

Though they both stand at 5-0 tall, they play bigger in competition! Watching both of these ladies in action, loving the game like they do, is such a neat thing for our program. They gelled right away with the team," added Siedlik. 

The Aiwohi sisters become the eighth and ninth signees in the Class of 2023, joining earlier signees: 5-7, defensive specialist/setter Jayna Hope (Bellevue, Neb./Cumberland/Bellevue West HS), 6-0 rightside hitter/middle blocker Kealy Kiviniemi (Bellevue, Neb./Washburn/Bellevue West HS), 5-8 outside hitter/defensive specialist Ali Butler (Omaha, Neb./Millard South HS), 5-9 outside hitter/defensive specialist Rowyn Scheer (Elkhorn, Neb./Elkhorn South HS), 5-8 outside hitter Aspen Meyer (Nebraska City, Neb./Nebraska City Lourdes Central Catholic HS), 5-9 outside hitter Kylie Wessel (Humphrey, Neb./Humphrey St. Francis HS), and 5-10 middle blocker Kaylani Reis (Salt Lake City, Utah/Arizona Western/West HS).

The Bruins finished the 2022 season with a 28-8 overall record and a No. 14 national ranking, advancing to the NAIA National Tournament for the 15th time in school history. BU shared the NSAA regular-season title with Viterbo after recording a 13-1 conference ledger. The Bruins placed second at the NSAA Post-Season Tournament.