Cal Poly Humboldt Athletics

Tusalava Kuaea is the First Assistant Volleyball Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Cal Poly Humboldt, bringing more than a decade of coaching experience, including eight years at the collegiate level. Her work centers on recruiting, player development, and preparing well-rounded student-athletes for success on and off the court.
 

Before joining Cal Poly Humboldt, Kuaea served as Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at South Puget Sound Community College, leading the program to its first postseason berth in 2023 and an NWAC Sweet 16 appearance in 2024. More than a dozen of her athletes advanced to four-year programs.

Kuaea competed at Tacoma Community College and the University of Arkansas at Monticello, earning athletic and academic honors. She holds a Master of Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine.

In addition to her volleyball responsibilities at Cal Poly Humboldt, Kuaea served as an Advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), supporting student-athlete leadership, engagement, and connection across the campus and local community. Kuaea also coaches the U13 team at True North Volleyball Club (TNVBC) and serves as Director of Social Media and Recruiting Coordinator, helping young athletes develop their skills and navigate the recruiting process.

Family, community, and her Samoan culture are central to Kuaea’s coaching philosophy, inspiring her to build meaningful relationships and empower athletes to grow as both players and people.