Laupahoehoe didn’t have enough ammunition, but countered with an endless supply of determination against unbeaten Honokaa in a BIIF volleyball match that was a fun deal for all those who filled the Seasiders’ gym. ADVERTISING Laupahoehoe didn’t have enough ammunition,
Laupahoehoe didn’t have enough ammunition, but countered with an endless supply of determination against unbeaten Honokaa in a BIIF volleyball match that was a fun deal for all those who filled the Seasiders’ gym.
The Dragons remained unbeaten in the Blue division with a 25-23, 25-22 win over the Seasiders on Tuesday night, relying on a tough one-two middle blocker punch from Delsey Vaimauga and Randy Iona.
Vaimauga, a sophomore, knocked down a match-high seven kills and Iona, a junior, added five kills for Honokaa (7-0), which advanced to the HHSAA Division II state tournament last year for the first time since 2010.
The Seasiders have never reached the state tournament. (The Laupahoehoe boys went to states in 2005, the first year of statewide classification, and in 1992.)
Iona and junior outside hitter Leilani Pupuhi, who had one kill, are returning starters while Vaimauga was a part-time starter last season.
Honokaa’s setters — sophomores Sharissa Bird and Karly Requelman — are new and still learning on the job. They pretty much set the middle all night, and gave Vaimauga and Iona enough one-on-one swings.
“(Sharissa) is still learning, but she’s got good hands. I like that Karly is aggressive to the ball,” Honokaa coach Mike Fernandez said. “Kelsey is starting to get a good snap on the ball (when hitting). Randy is our playmaker. She goes 110 percent, sometimes 120 percent. Sometimes, I want to take her out, but I keep her in because I don’t want her momentum to drop.”
Carina Salomon-Torres and Polina Kozinskiy, a pair of junior outside hitters, had four kills each to lead the Seasiders (4-3), who have already surpassed first-year coach Malia Phillips’ expectations.
“I thought they played awesome and played their hardest. I’m super proud of the team,” she said. “They’ve already exceeded my expectations with four wins. Last year, about half the girls played and the rest are pretty new.”
In the junior varsity match, Ke Kula O Ehunuikaimalino defeated Honokaa 25-18, 25-18.
Playoff format
The top four Division I teams (Hilo, Kamehameha, Keaau, Kealakehe and Waiakea) in the Red division qualify for the four-team BIIF playoffs.
The No. 4 seed will play the No. 1 on Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Vikings’ gym, followed by the No. 3 seed vs. the No. 2.
There are two berths to the HHSAA Division I state tourney. Last year, Kamehameha and Waiakea represented the league.
All four Division II teams (Konawaena, Hawaii Prep, Kohala and Pahoa) in the Red division qualify for the eight-team BIIF playoffs, as well as the top four in the Blue division.
On Tuesday, Oct. 20, the Red No. 1 seed will host the Blue No. 4, and the other matches are blue No. 3 at Red No. 2, Red No. 4 at Blue No. 1, and Red No. 3 at Blue No. 2.
There are three spots to the HHSAA Division II state tourney. Last year, Konawaena, HPA and Honokaa reached states.
