Most days of the week are an endurance test for Mesa High's ultra-busy Umata Tafuna. Family tradition and the will to engage in a trio of time-consuming activities see her through. The payoff is accomplishment.

Tafuna, who has had several sisters play volleyball before her and brothers play football, sets for Mesa High's 8-3 volleyball team this season. Before she hits the practice- or game-floor in mid- or late-afternoon she is already eight hours into her day. A day Monday through Friday that begins with A-hour orchestra. On the other end almost 12 hours removed, there is more.

"There are long days," Tafuna said after helping Mesa defeat Skyline in volleyball Tuesday night. "My day starts at 6:45 (a.m.) with orchestra, I play the violin. There's school, then volleyball and several nights of dance after volleyball. I really enjoy it most of the time."

Right after saying that, Tafuna takes a deep breath. Tuesday night there was no dance practice so that was a nice break following the Jackrabbits latest volleyball triumph, a three-game sweep of Skyline that has the Jackrabbits off to a fast start. She leads Mesa in aces and assists, sharing the setting load with Kelcee Munk, and is second on the team in digs. It's her second year starting

Tafuna performs on weekends with a couple of Polynesian dance troupes at a variety of functions. Being involved in dance is her final task of the day and may require the most stamina. Being mentally tough is a huge asset with all she tackles.

"She is involved in a lot of things, but does a real good job of balancing them," Mesa volleyball coach Amy Strawn said. "She's a good leader for us. She comes from a strong volleyball family. She can get worn down a little. Tonight (Tuesday) she had some trouble with her serves. May have been a little tired."

Tafuna and the two dance troupes she performs with go all over the Valley. This week for example, Mesa will play Friday and Saturday in Westwood's annual VB Tournament of Champions. When Mesa finishes play in the tournament Saturday afternoon, she'll hustle off to another performance, be it a wedding or perhaps someone's family gathering. Maybe even a luau.

"It's usually a couple hours of volleyball each day and a few days a week of two hours of practice in dance," Tafuna said. "The the next day it starts again early with orchestra. They are all opportunities that make me better."

Strawn believes Tafuna is the busiest of her volleyball players off the court. And she says Tafuna is handling all of those commitments better than last year.

"Sometimes it gets to be a lot," Tafuna said. "But I like doing all of it."