She’s got Cardinal virtue

By KEVIN JAKAHI

Tribune-Herald sports writer

Chynna Loeffler makes the most of her height and heart, especially when she hits the volleyball court.

The St. Joseph senior recently signed a national letter of intent with Skagit Valley College, which is located in Mt. Vernon, Wash., an hour away from Seattle.

The Cardinals — the same nickname as St. Joseph — are restarting their volleyball program after budget reductions suspended it last season.

The 5-foot-8 outside hitter will have an immediate fan base. Her aunt, Kathi Turner, lives in the area, and her dad Lee Loeffler, and stepmom, Diane, will move to Idaho in September.

Her sister, Callie Ann, is attending the University of Montana Western. Lee Loeffler, who will retire from the Department of Public Works, figured Idaho is a good halfway point between his two daughters, giving both a place to go during holidays.

“The biggest benefit is I get to see Chynna play college volleyball. That’s the most important thing to be there for her,” said Lee, who figures to be the tallest Cardinals fan.

Chynna comes from a family of giants. Lee is 6-7 and played college basketball at St. Martin’s College. Her cousins are former Waiakea baseball standouts 6-3 Ronnie Loeffler and 6-2 Matt, 6-6 Hawaii offensive lineman Jordan Loeffler and his sister, Amanda, a 5-10 Hilo sophomore on the volleyball team.

At least Chynna can escape the Northwest frigid winter weather with a trip home to visit her mom, Debbie, who is 5-4 and played a big part in the scholarship process. She sent out videos to colleges to get the recruiting ball rolling.

“I like the coach (Zach Calles) and the style he runs,” Chynna said. “He’s all about being positive and working hard. I wanted to go to a school in Washington. That was my top state. One of the biggest things was having my aunty there.

“I’m excited my dad can watch me play college volleyball. I’m excited for the whole journey, going out and experiencing a new life away from Hawaii. The whole college experience is really exciting to me.”

Chynna doesn’t stand on the tallest branches of the Loeffler genetic tree, which started with 6-3 grandpa Bill Loeffler and 6-0 grandma Leila, who passed away last July and remains the inspiration for the lifelong Cardinals enthusiasm.

“I wanted to go to a school that had the same nickname,” Chynna joked.

Then she turned serious and talked about what pushes her.

“I’ve really worked hard. I’m always lifting weights, running and doing plyometrics to get a higher vertical,” she said. “My grandma was my biggest fan. She signed me up for it and knew I’d love it if I kept working hard. I’ve stuck with it and she’s my main motivation. I play for her. I play hard for her, every single day. She started all of it for me.”

Her dad knows the demands of being a scholarship student-athlete. Lee Loeffler recounted the first meeting he had at St. Martin’s, when his coach explained the difference between playing in high school and college.

“In our first team meeting, the coach told us it’s a job for us, and our salary is getting a free education,” he said. “Our job is to play basketball and pull in grades. It’s very demanding with academics and athletics. It’s a 12-month job. Even after the season is done, you’re still weight training and getting ready for the next season. After all these years, how right he was.”

Chynna has no worries about juggling the task of time management and maintaining her grades. She feels the curriculum at St. Joe prepared her well. She has a 3.7 grade point average and will major in psychology.

On the other side of the coin, Lee Loeffler has no worries about how his daughter will do for the collegiate Cardinals. His advice to her rings true no matter what one’s height.

“I’ve told Chynna it’s not how tall you are, but how big your heart is, especially on the court,” he said.