Tua Signs NLI to Play for UNM

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— Head UNM volleyball coach Jon Newman-Gonchar and his staff have received a National Letter of Intent from Tori Tua to join the Lobo volleyball program beginning Fall 2020.

“Tori was a no brainer from the start of the recruiting process,” Newman-Gonchar said. “She embodies each of our team’s core values and is an absolute perfect match for our program! She is humble, hungry to be great, grateful for the opportunities she has, and most importantly a genuinely kind person.

“Her physicality and raw power make her a one of a kind athlete. UNM is proud to welcome Tori to Albuquerque and to the Lobo family, and we are thrilled to have her join our talented 2020 recruiting class.”

From La Mirada, Calif., Tua is a 6-5 outside hitter that will graduate from St. Paul High School, where she has played on the varsity team for all four years.

Entering her senior season, Tua played in 203 sets and recorded 420 kills, 137 total blocks, 48 digs and five service aces while hitting .239. As a sophomore, Tua tallied 245 kills, 70 total blocks and 35 digs in 118 sets played for her most successful season. In 2017, her high school team won the CIF Championship.

Academically, the newest Lobo was named a scholar athlete, earned the Presidential Academic Award and was on the Honor Roll twice.

Born Dec. 19, Tua is the daughter of Ioane and Laura Tua and chose New Mexico for the school’s community involvement and academic programs.

Tua is the third Lobo signee for Newman-Gonchar and staff in the 2020 class, joining Kali Wolf and Hayley Torres.