Last season, they came in as virtual unknowns and only a quick trip to Google divulged their exploits in the American collegiate volleyball scene.
Alohi Robins-Hardy gained more renown initially as the cousin of Gilas Pilipinas skipper Gabe Norwood while Kalei Mau had more hits on her social media account for being a talented singer.
It didn't take long for this duo to dazzle volleyball crowds in the Philippines when they saw action together for the now defunct Cocolife Asset Managers in the Philippine Superliga (PSL), and although they never had a decent finish in the competitions, they left an indelible mark in the game almost immediately.
It was Kalei who reached out to her buddy for the opportunity to see action for their motherland.
"Sometime last year, Kalei asked about my Filipino roots and asked if I wanted to join her out here," Alohi said. "We played together and it's just been a great bond and I'm so grateful."
Alohi is 6'3" while Mau is 6'2". Alohi came into the league with solid credentials as a setter for Brigham Young University (BYU) while Kalei was a noted wing spiker for the University of Arizona and had already seen action internationally in Puerto Rico and France-fresh out of college at the age of 21.
When Cocolife became the United Volleyball Club (UVC) and eventually folded prior to the start of the recently concluded PSL All Filipino Conference (AFC), the pair had to go their separate ways with Alohi signing with the Cignal HD Spikers even before UVC's disbandment and Kalei signing up with powerhouse F2 Logistics just days before the start of the AFC.
Their paths from that moment on would be very different.
Alohi did her best to lead a Cignal squad that was still adjusting to the return of former national team standout Jovelyn Gonzaga after an almost two-year hiatus due to an ACL injury. They also did not re-sign their former starting setter Acy Masangkay, prompting Alohi to be the primary playmaker. Cignal slid into a five-game losing streak, but somehow clawed their way to the finals after an improbable upset of defending champions Petron Blaze Spikers in the semifinals.
Kalei had a somewhat easier route.
The F2 Logistics Cargo Movers already had an established core, albeit injury-ravaged to begin the conference. She quickly emerged as the primary offensive option after being hampered by a shoulder issue in her rookie year and led her squad to 11 straight wins and the no. 2 seed in the playoffs.
The Cargo Movers cruised into the finals and had to face an almost fatigued Cignal team that had endured a 14-set playoff run with practically no time to rest and recover.
Their paths crossed again, this time on opposite sides of the net vying for a title and giving it everything they had. In the end, F2 Logistics copped its third crown via a sweep of the series while Cignal came away with three individual awardees-the most by any team this conference. Alohi got feted for Best Setter while Kalei took home the scoring title and the MVP plum.
"Looking back after all that's happened since the start of the tournament, I feel I made such a good decision (signing with F2 Logistics)," Kalei said. "It was also special going up against Alohi. We just told each to do our thing and that's what happened. One team had to win and I'm glad it was us coming out as champions."
There was also a bit of mind games between the two.
"We're going to get her," Alohi joked. "She's a great girl, though."
"(Before the game) I told her I liked her braids," Kalei said. "She quickly took them off. They were nice braids, though."
With the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games coming up, fans hoped to see both these feisty warriors together on the Philippine team.
Kalei had already secured he Philippine passport and is considered a shoo-in for the squad while Alohi is still undergoing the process, raising many fears that she might not make it in time.
"We're running out of time for Alohi," said national coach Shaq de los Santos. "Hopefully the process is fast tracked because having her on the team would really be vital. Looking at the (individual awards) winners, that's going to be solid team if we can have that kind of height."
De los Santos was referring to the sight on the podium after the PSL AFC closing ceremonies that had Alohi and Kalei alongside 6'6" Jaja Santiago, 6'2" Din-Din Santiago-Manabat and 6'0" Majoy Baron.
Whether Alohi and Kalei join forces again is still unknown as both have live contracts with their respective clubs until the end of the year.
But both may have opened doors for a possible influx of Filipino-foreigners who may want to make a difference in the sport locally. Sta. Lucia's MJ Phillips and Rebecca Rivera were the first to penetrate the PSL, and it might not be long before these individuals begin becoming game-changers in a sport the Philippines once dominated in the ASEAN realm.
For now, Alohi and Kalei will continue to captivate fans and continue making inroads for those who will be following in their footsteps.