Josh Schwam is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Bourgade Catholic High School for AZPreps365.com.

For coach Raeleen Naki-Bajet, Bourgade Catholic girls volleyball is an extension of her lifestyle.

Her family at home, including husband Channan Nakai-Bajet and four children ranging in ages 8-22, is in some circumstances the exact same on the court with the Golden Eagles. From Hawaii, she and Channan, her assistant coach, aim for education.

Raeleen, 44, and Channan, 43, met at an airport nearly 20 years ago and both are from Oahu, Hawaii. Raeleen was a flight attendant for Aloha Airlines and Channan was a security supervisor employed at the airport.

Now, Channan is also a law enforcement officer. His appearances at practice and games are sometimes negated by late calls to the job. In addition to being head coach, Raeleen homeschools their two youngest daughters, ages 8 and 11, as well working a day-job in Glendale.

They moved to Arizona because their oldest son was pursuing education as a diesel mechanic. He ended up in law enforcement and the couple stayed in Phoenix. 

Since arriving, the couple has taken over the Bourgade Catholic program, as well as running their own volleyball club, Hawaiian Time. The club was managed by Channan's father back in Oahu and they brought it to Phoenix with the family’s blessing after his passing. The amateur club now serves more than 40 athletes. 

The literal translation for aloha in Hawaiian culture is “hello,” however Raleen discusses its importance in a larger meaning. Her aloha is her first impression and her entire persona.

“How I coach my girls at Bourgade is how I coach my girls at Hawaiian Time, and it's how I parent my own children,” Raeleen said. “I feel like the replica of Hawaii is showing what we do in our leadership and it has to have Aloha. If we lead and direct with aloha, everything will follow.”

Sitting at 1-11 (0-7), the Golden Eagles are not in a playoff position. However, for a small Catholic school, it’s about more than winning and losing. The pair impart their culture and upbringing on the students to prepare them for future difficulties and challenges in life.

The culture is contagious. Despite their record, players embody the positive environment and use it as a place of solitude, rather than view it as a burden. 

Kylie Bonheimer is a sophomore outside hitter who also spent her freshman season on the varsity team. Her experience has been positively cultivated by not only the coaches, but the energy they bring to the gym.

“They’re both very different personalities, but they work really well together,” Bonheimer said. “Coach Channan is more serious, Coach Rae too, but they all mesh really well and it’s all different aspects of a coach, different coaches, all in one.”

One of the coaches who isn’t the most vocal by decibels, but makes his presence felt is Sage Nakai-Bajet. The son of Raeleen and Channan, Sage is 17 and a senior at Desert Edge High School. He comes to practice from school in Goodyear, where boys volleyball is currently not in season, and assists his parents’ athletes in any way he can.

“I’m just here to do whatever I can to help,” Sage said. “If they don’t understand something I reword it to where I can understand it as a teenager. I can be the best translator of my parents.”

Sage embodies the family spirit that they bring to the court. He comes on his own choosing because of  the impact he can make. Like his parents, he has embodied what it means to be an educator and resource for those on the team.

“When someone doesn’t get it or needs help and they come to me for guidance, and then they execute whatever I helped them with, that feels great,” Sage said. “They go into volleyball with all of this stress and you come into that family atmosphere and get better. You just feel better about yourself and happier here.”

So much of what the Nakai-Bajets do in education is about their cultural upbringing. The strong presence of Ohana --- the Hawaiian term for family -- is baked into their actions and intentions daily. Furthermore, Bourgade Catholic is a faith-based institution. The combination of Ohana brought in by the Nakai-Bajets with the school mission is impactful and clearly present for the students.

“Last year, I was a freshman and I hadn’t played in high school, so it was my first time on an older, advanced team,” Bonheimer said. “She made me comfortable, told me I had a leadership role and it stuck with me because I really doubted my leadership and being younger, but she told me even though I’m younger, I belong and that stuck with me. She’s made me confident by how she is.”

The lessons brought in are felt by the players. Of course, they would love to win. It would be foolish to think they are only there for Coach Nakai-Bajet’s life lessons. However, the coaches lead by example and mindset.

“For me, as the head of our household both on and off the court, I feel like it’s faith-based,” Raeleen said. “I always meditate and my strategic planning comes directly from my faith. Whatever God tells me to do in the day is how I roll with my plan. Sometimes it’s about taking a step back and meeting people and realizing it's a lot more about the surface of winning. Not “Hey coach, when are we going to win?’”

Despite the wins and losses not ending up in Bourgade’s favor, the athletes are earning more than a record for their time with the team through their coach.

“A win for me is deeper than a win on the court,” Raeleen said. “If a girl comes in with an attitude and leaves respectful, for me, that’s a win. If a girl comes in with anxiety and leaves confident and happy, being herself as a teenager. For me that’s a win.”

The Golden Eagles are back in action Monday at home against the Northwest Chrsitian Crusaders. Varsity first-serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.