Adonia Faumuina, a senior Outside Hitter at the University of Southern California (USC), is more than just a Division I athlete; she is a culmination of both her Samoan and Tongan heritage. Repping both islands on and off the court to the best of her ability. She is driven by her family pillars of faith, family, and culture. Her journey through competitive volleyball is a testament to resilience, mentorship, friendship and a desire to leave an impactful legacy for the next generation of Pacific Islander athletes.
With a mother of Tongan descent and a father of Samoan descent, Faumuina's life has been intrinsically linked to volleyball since the age of four. The sport is a “huge staple” in her family. She comes from a lineage of volleyball players which include her grandparents, aunties, and uncles. Her first coach was her father, who instilled the foundational pillars that continue to guide her in life: discipline, faith, family, culture, and humility. For Faumuina, getting to USC was a village effort, and she views her success as a way to repay her family's tremendous support. Her commitment extends beyond the court and the classroom, as she strives to be a positive role model for her younger siblings and cousins.
Faumuina's perspective on her career and life was profoundly shaped by two major challenges. The first was the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, where the temporary absence of volleyball highlighted the importance of her family in her life. The second, and probably the most defining, challenge was sustaining a stress fracture in her lower back early in her college career. This injury led her through dark times, forcing her to rely heavily on her faith, turning to God, praying, and journaling to find strength, perspective, and direction. These moments reinforced the core values instilled by her parents — her mother's advice to “give it to God” and her father's emphasis on discipline and continuous effort.
A central theme in Faumuina's journey is the powerful responsibility of representation. Acknowledging the scarcity of Polynesian, Micronesian, and Melanesian girls in D1 college volleyball, she is unashamed and unapologetic to putting her culture on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, often receiving compliments for representing her heritage well. On the court, she and her former Samoan teammate, Mia Tuninga, were known for celebrating by throwing up the ‘S' for Samoa and ‘T' for Tonga.
Hearing about Adonia's story and her time at USC, I admired how she repped her islands so hard that it encouraged other teammates to not only learn and appreciate our Pasifika culture but it led other teammates to rep their heritage as well. This commitment culminated in a “full circle moment” at USC's first-ever Pacific Islander Night for volleyball — an event that may be the first of its kind in the NCAA. Spearheaded by an assistant coach who is also Polynesian, the night was an absolute success! Drawing family, friends, and community members who showed up proudly holding their flags.
Faumuina is planning to take her fifth year at USC, followed by pursuing a professional volleyball career and continuing to coach at her club. Ultimately, Faumuina's goal is to leave a legacy of authenticity and cultural pride. She stresses the importance of representation for younger generations as seeing the growing success of Islanders in professional volleyball is an inspiring sign of a new era. Beyond the athletic accolades, Faumuina embodies the spirit of servant leadership, a value derived from her culture and encapsulated by her grandmother's timeless quote:
“The best gift that you can give is your time.”
Adonia Faumuina is not just playing for her team; she is serving with heart, playing for her family, her faith, and her culture, setting a powerful example on and off the court.
Adonia's Playlist Picks
- “Candy Apple” x Uce Duce
- “Call Me” x Fiji
- “One of a Kind” x Bitty McLean
- “Substitute Lover” x Half Pint
- “Gotta Know Your Name” x Rebel Souljahz
Images provided by the featured individuals or sourced from their public social media profiles and online platforms. All rights remain with the original creators. Originally published in PMN+ Magazine, December 2025 (Vol. 2 No. 12).
December 2025 · Digital Magazine
