Sharon Peterson was in a rush to get to practice Monday, and for good reason.
Sharon Peterson was in a rush to get to practice Monday, and for good reason.
Hawaii Prep’s first full-squad boys volleyball workout was its only one before, ready or not, the BIIF season opener Tuesday against Waiakea.
So it’s understandable that the savvy, veteran coach didn’t know what to expect at practice, much less in a match.
“It’s going to take some time,” she said.
Peterson, though, usually uses time to her advantage. Ka Makani may not have been the best or most experienced Division II team at the start of last season, but Peterson turned HPA into a winner, molding her second BIIF boys champion.
Ka Makani must replace both middle blockers, Tucker Higgins and Abe Binder, but attrition is one of the themes in Division II. All seven all-BIIF first-team selections last season graduated, including Ka’u outside hitter Cameron Enriques, the two-time Player of the Year.
A rare club player for HPA, junior Ghar Pautz figures to get plenty of swings whether he returns to outside hitter or plays in the middle. He swatted nine kills in last season’s BIIF final, a four-set victory against the Trojans.
Fresh off helping the school bag its first HHSAA soccer title, Pautz and Trent Wise were to arrive Monday to complete Ka Makani’s lineup as they embark on what they hope will be their seventh consecutive trip to the HHSAA tournament.
“Ghar should be one of our best players,” Peterson said, “He’s further along than (most), but I haven’t seen him yet.
“We’ve got five or six returnees, and some newcomers. The first step is figuring out a starting lineup.”
Candidates include Ethan Stake, Zach Chaikin and Kai Miller, who made second-team all-BIIF in 2015 at libero.
Come BIIFs, it’s a good bet neither Ka Makani, Ka’u or Kohala will have the best record in D-II, but they’ll be battle-tested. Those three schools – each a BIIF semifinalist last season along with Konawaena – will compete in the power-packed Red division with Kamehameha, Waiakea, Hilo and Kealakehe of Division I. Each will play a 14-game, home-and-away schedule.
D-I Keaau and D-II schools Konawaena, Honokaa, Pahoa, Christian Liberty and Ke Kula O Ehunuikaimalino will play in the Blue division.
While HPA didn’t play any preseason games, the Trojans edged the Kohala to win the Big Island Under 300 Boys Varsity Volleyball Invitational last weekend. Earlier in the tournament, the Cowboys beat Ka’u in two sets.
“We might not win many games during the regular season and we might be at a disadvantage,” Peterson said, “but hopefully we’ll catch up by the end.”
It’s a plan that has worked before.