Extra Star Power: Small But Fearless, Khalea Pahulu Goes “Beast Mode” in Softball & Rugby (Even Tackling Boys!)

Khalea Pahulu might have a tiny frame, but the 5-foot-2 dynamo goes into “Beast Mode” whenever she steps onto a softball diamond … or a rugby pitch.

Pahulu, a CF/MIF for USA Athletics 2025-Rogers/Mathis, is considered one of the top 2025 softball prospects in the country and she’s one of the top players for Belmont Shore Youth Rugby Club’s 13U team.

This past September she traveled to New Zealand with her rugby team and competed against top club rugby teams from around the country. It was a coed tournament and she was competing against boys and girls older than her and she didn’t back down at all.

“Khalea brings speed and power to the team,” said USA Athletics 2025 1B/3B Kween Tauala. “She’s fun, talented and dedicated in both softball and rugby. She’s petite, but when it’s game time she’s a beast! She can hit the ball well and catch it too. She’s a great friend and teammate.”

Pahulu brings the same tenacity to the softball field that she uses for rugby.

“Khalea plays fierce,” said USA Athletics 2025 SS/OF Nata Leomiti. “She’s a beast and gives 100 percent. She never gives up. She hypes us up in the dugout and likes to crack jokes.”

Her success has been even more remarkable because, at one point, Khalea was diagnosed with a slight scoliosis in her back.

“There’s been times where I thought I would never play again,” she recalled, but with “plenty of rehab and recovery” she’s worked on way back into the two sports she loves with impressive results.

“Khalea has a bright future in softball or rugby!” stated her USA Athletics coach Mike Mathis.

*** Go inside “Extra Star Power” to learn more about one of the top 2025 prospects in the nation and how she got into rugby and softball…

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