Aluli eager for fresh start after injury

Sylvia Lee | SL

WAIKIKI — For Kamaile Aluli, Feb. 1 could not come soon enough.

After suffering a devastating leg injury that abruptly cut short her senior season less than a month ago, the Kahuku girls soccer standout was all smiles Wednesday morning.

Aluli was one of more than 50 high school seniors that signed their National Letters of Intent at a signing ceremony hosted by Education-1st at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel and Resort. She signed with Cal State San Marcos, an NCAA Division II program in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, located just north of San Diego.

"It's really exciting to just start a new journey in life and to be here supported by family and team members and friends is exciting," Aluli said.

Aluli racked up a league-high 16 goals scored this season before she sustained a fractured tibia in her right leg early on in a regular-season loss to Moanalua on Jan. 7. She was forced to miss the Red Raiders' final four games as a result and was still on crutches Wednesday morning.

"It was a bummer and it took a little while to get back into high spirits," Aluli said. "It hit me in the beginning really hard and after the first couple of days I realized it'll heal and just starting the recovery process has been helpful."

Aluli, a First Team All-Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division pick this year, was amongst nine teammates from the Hawaii Surf Soccer Club to sign their NLIs at the event.

"It's very nice to be able to do this together with all of us," Aluli said. "It's the people who have been there and been through the same journey as you and to be able to share it with them, it makes it even more special."

Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].