Kealakehe counts on Kyra Calbero to be a settling force on the volleyball court, but in this case she’s at first unsettled. A media interview in between preseason matches was not at the top of Calbero’s wish list. ADVERTISING Kealakehe
Kealakehe counts on Kyra Calbero to be a settling force on the volleyball court, but in this case she’s at first unsettled. A media interview in between preseason matches was not at the top of Calbero’s wish list.
So when summoned by her coach, the senior setter brings a reinforcement, junior outside hitter Rashai Kailiwai.
For Calbero, it’s nice to have help, especially one with experience.
“She’s such a good setter,” Kailiwai says as she hugs her friend.
Don’t get Calbero wrong. Going into her fourth year as a starter, she knows what she wants, and she knows how to get there. But she also remembers how the Waveriders’ last two seasons ended. In each instance, respectable 10-4 campaigns dissolved quickly in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I semifinals against Hilo.
“Ugh,” Calbero said.
“Our whole focus this year is do whatever we need to do to change so that result is different,” coach Duke Hartfield said.
Kealakehe is usually in perpetual catch-up mode against Kamehameha, Hilo and Waiakea in D-I because of the inexperience gap it faces compared to its brethren in East Hawaii, where club play is far more accessible.
“The tough part is they have the opportunity to play more volleyball and they take the opportunity to play more volleyball,” Hartfield said. “Whether it be a family thing or expectation thing on the east side, there are just more kids playing volleyball from a younger age. More gyms and more clubs.”
But this year the Waveriders are intent on closing the gap behind the nucleus of Calbero, Kailiwai and junior outside hitter Nika Paogofie. Each play with Hoopa in the offseason, and carrying three club players is a luxury Kealakehe hasn’t always enjoyed.
Calbero, an all-BIIF selection last year, breaks down the season into physical and mental goals.
Her end game is clear: a first trip to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association tournament. Kealakehe hasn’t reached states since 2006.
“This team can do it, if they play to their potential,” said Hartfield, who enters his 11th season as coach. “I’m optimistic because of the experience.”
One facet that comes with seasoning is superior ball-control, and Hartfield would like to see Kealakehe shore up its defense, putting an emphasis on serve-receive.
BIIFs become a one-match playoff to reach states, so one key will be avoiding the No. 4 seed and a likely matchup with preseason favorite Kamehameha, the four-time league champion.
Another key, Calbero said, is for the Waveriders to carry themselves like contenders.
“We have to want it more,” she said. “The past two years we just kind of cruised. This year, our motivation is stronger. We have to believe.”
Hartfield likes his supporting cast of upperclassmen. Senior middles Kealia Wolfe and Leila Lawson return to their roles, senior hitter Jaselynn Ontiveros enters her first year as starter, while junior Tara Kekuaokalani takes over at libero.
Lawson and Paogofie joined Kailiwai as honorable mention all-BIIF last season, and Kailiwai has seen signs of improvement in the preseason.
“Everything has gotten better,” she said. “Our passes are more precise and we’re getting more confident.”
Kealakehe features its share of height, and one outside hitter who isn’t as tall has a way of making up for it. Hartfield first noticed Nicole Cristobal’s leaping ability as a freshman last season, and then he coached her in track and field as she won the BIIF long jump title.
“She’s one to watch in volleyball, too,” he said.
