Little Lena Yee made a big impact on the people of Vietnam.

Even in remote areas, she and her St. John's volleyball teammates became instant celebrities after their play in a tournament in the Southeast Asian country.

"One time we were lost, and I had my little Vietnamese dictionary and I was trying to ask them things," said Yee, a 5-foot-2 libero. "They would look at each other and only talk to each other and laugh and then hold up three fingers. It was a good feeling, for all of us, because they knew who we were."

The three fingers signified Yee's three awards she picked up at the Vietnamese Television Cup Fourth International Women's Volleyball Tournament.

"Sometimes they would come up to us," said the 2005 Moanalua High graduate. "They speak a little English and they would say, 'Good job,' or 'I know you.' "

Yee, a junior-to-be, was named the tournament's best receiver, best digger and best libero.

The team finished second after losing to the Vietnam national team, 28-26, 25-24, 29-31, 25-20.

Joining Yee on the trip was Patti Hardimon, another Moanalua alum. Although Hardimon finished her eligibility with the Red Storm last season, she was invited to travel and play with the team.

"It was good for me, but at the same time it was hard," Hardimon said. "Because we did so good in Vietnam, it was sad because I wouldn't be able to play with them again."

But the chance to play an "extended senior season" was a treat, especially being able to play in a professional atmosphere.

"It was good to play in an international competition," Hardimon said. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience if you don't play professionally."

St. John's was the first American team to play in the tournament, which ran from May 12 to 19. The team was in Vietnam from May 8 to 24.

"It was very interesting. It was fun, and overall it was a great experience," Yee said. "I enjoyed meeting new people and seeing different cultures. The food was really different."

Except for a few meetings to straighten out details of the trip, Yee had no idea about what to expect.

"When I got there, (my first thought) was, 'Wow, it's nice and hot,' " she said.

Hardimon and Yee agreed that interacting with the people was the highlight of the trip.

Yee said they were very friendly, and "a lot of them were living on the street, but they were just happy with what they had."

Members of the Red Storm were unaccustomed to the attention they received.

"We were so shy," Hardimon said. "One time we were on the bus, and Lena was sleeping, and we had a little stop at some shops. Someone came back on the bus and said they were looking for Lena. She had to get off the bus and take pictures and give autographs. And she's the shyest on the team in terms of talking to the press and meeting people and taking pictures."

The Red Storm used the trip as a chance to "get a feel for each other," Yee said.

It was an introduction to a new lineup and a goodbye to the departing seniors.

"If anything I'm going to miss playing next to Lena," said Hardimon, who graduates in December with a degree in sports management. Both earned Big East Conference Academic All-Star honors.

"The scary thing is she got Big East Libero of the Year, and all the awards in Vietnam, and she can be so much better," Hardimon said of Yee.

"She has so much potential and her work ethic is incredible. She's really going to be one of the leaders on the court next year."

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.