In the heart of Seattle, where the skies are often overcast and the turf at Husky Soccer Stadium stays slick with Pacific Northwest mist, Kolo Suliafu stands out—not just for her play, but for what she represents.
A senior defender for the University of Washington, Suliafu is one of the few Tongan-American women competing at the Division I level. Her presence on the pitch is more than athletic—it’s cultural. Every match is a chance to represent a community that’s rarely seen in this space.
“I have family everywhere,” Suliafu says. “It’s a big part of who I am.”
Born in Montclair, California, Suliafu’s roots stretch across the Pacific—from Tonga to Hawaii to New Zealand. That heritage is central to her identity, and it shows in the way she plays: calm, composed, and fiercely committed. She’s not just a leader on the field—she’s a role model off it.
“Representation could definitely be better,” she says. “But when little girls come up to me, wanting to play, wanting to be better—it’s so inspiring.”
“Representation could definitely be better,” she says. “But when little girls come up to me, wanting to play, wanting to be better—it’s so inspiring.”
– Kolo Suliafu
Her soccer journey began like many others: her parents signed her up to keep her active. But from the first game, she knew it was different. “I loved how aggressive it was,” she says. “It was co-ed, so I didn’t have to hold back. I knew from the start it was my sport.”
Now, Suliafu is more than a starter—she’s a cultural ambassador. She shares her Tongan roots with teammates, educates others about Polynesian traditions, and keeps her connection to home alive through music. After the recent passing of island reggae legend Fiji, her playlist has been on repeat: “50/50” by Drew Deezy featuring Tenelle, “Hey Girl,” and the classic “Jowenna.”
On the field, her numbers speak volumes. In the 2024 season, Suliafu started all 21 matches and led the Huskies in minutes played—1,928 total. She played the full 90 in 19 games, added an assist against Long Beach State, and took seven shots, two on goal. Her performance earned her Second Team All-Big Ten honors, a spot on the United Soccer Coaches All-North Region team, and Scholar All-West Region recognition.
Still, she often surprises people. “People are jaw-drop shocked when I say I’m Tongan and I play soccer,” she says. “But our people can play any sport. Be loud, be confident, be your full, authentic self. That’s what’s gotten me this far.”
Kolo Suliafu isn’t just defending the back line—she’s redefining what’s possible for Polynesian athletes in college soccer.
