When the going got tough at Waiakea’s girls volleyball tournament, Hilo coach Drew Fernandez told his team to relax and enjoy – and nothing makes that easier than winning. ADVERTISING When the going got tough at Waiakea’s girls volleyball tournament,
When the going got tough at Waiakea’s girls volleyball tournament, Hilo coach Drew Fernandez told his team to relax and enjoy – and nothing makes that easier than winning.
The Vikings rebounded from earlier losses to Kamehameha and Waiakea by beating both rivals Saturday, including a sweep of the host school in the final, to claim the fourth annual Waiakea invitational.
“We were scared (Friday),” Fernandez said. “They came back fired up. I told them once you have fun, your game will start coming together and you’ll start playing well.”
The tournament was coming out party for junior setter Kailee Kurokawa (tournament MVP) and junior outside hitter Alexus Paglinawan (team MVP).
Teammates during the club season, Kurokawa and Paglinawan showed comfort and chemistry working together in all three of Hilo’s victories Saturday. The Vikings started with a 2-1 victory against St. Francis of the ILH in the Gold bracket and then swept Kamehameha in the semifinals.
“We’re still figuring out our lineup for sure, but they definitely stepped up,” Fernandez said.
Defending BIIF Division I champion Waiakea, with seven seniors, was as good a bet as any to repeat as tournament champion.
After missing on an HHSAA berth behind Waiakea and Kamehameha the past two seasons, Hilo returns just one senior, setter Saydee Fujioka, and one All-BIIF player, junior outside hitter Kawai Ua.
Fernandez was encouraged that the Vikings found an identity after losing twice Friday. Kurokawa set for Paglinawan, while Fujioka connected with Ua.
“We have such a young team that they are very surprising,” Fernandez said. “I’m excited to work with them. If they can come together like they did in this tournament, they will do very well.”
Hilo opens the season Wednesday at Hawaii Prep, while Waiakea visits Ka’u on Tuesday.
Waiakea swept Hawaii Prep in the semifinals after Ka Makani opened play in the Gold division with a 2-0 victory against McKinley of the OIA. Waiakea junior libero Jordyn Hayashi was named tournament Most Outstanding Player and senior outside hitter Kakano Maikui was team MVP.
Also named all-Gold division were HPA’s Madi Lee, Kamehameha’s Summer Ah Choy, McKinley’s Colby Lane and Kaimilani Meredith-Deponte of St. Francis.
Kamehameha White beat Honokaa to win the Silver division. Kamehameha’s Makenna Mahuna was the MVP and Honokaa’s Leilani Pupuhi took home MOP. Honokaa’s Tiera McKenzie (team MVP) and Kamehameha’s Keani Akui (Team MOP) were honored, and also making all-Silver were Waiakea White’s Rachel Ignacio, St. Joseph’s Jaina Galves, Pahoa’s Tapenga Orevillo and Kealakehe’s Nicole Cristobal.
In the semifinals, Honokaa won a third set to oust Kealakehe and Kamehameha White beat Waiakea White 2-0. Earlier, Kealakehe eliminated Pahoa 2-1 and Kamehameha White swept St. Joseph.
