Kamehameha sophomore Nani Spaar has added a few weapons to her toolbox on the volleyball court, where she already holds a nice advantage with her height.
Kamehameha sophomore Nani Spaar has added a few weapons to her toolbox on the volleyball court, where she already holds a nice advantage with her height.
Last season, the 6-foot outside hitter didn’t play in all six rotations. She subbed out for defensive specialists who covered her back-row passing duties.
This year, she’s a full-time player with a promotion as the L1 or left-side No. 1 hitter’s spot and has an injection of confidence.
Over the summer with their Pilipaa club team, Spaar and Tiani Bello went to the USA volleyball junior national championships in Minnesota and later earned prestigious assignments.
Along with Kealakehe sophomore Anastasia Tuifua, the two Warriors competed at the USA High Performance program in Colorado. The program is designed to give the country’s top athletes the opportunity to work with HP coaches at a competitive event.
“I worked hard on improving my overall game and tried to focus on my defense — blocking, digging, and serve-receive,” she said. “Traveling to Minnesota and going to Colorado gave me a lot of perspective on the competition level on the mainland and inspired me to work hard.
“Pilipaa coach Chris Leonard has taken the club to the mainland to compete for three years and each year, especially this year, I benefited from the experience. He took us to college visits, which was really helpful in understanding what is out there. Over the last three years, I have visited or played at eight different schools.”
Spaar verbally committed to Temple, which scouted her at an Oahu showcase last year and at the junior national championships.
“I visited the school over the summer and really liked what I saw. The support the athletes are given, the coaches, facilities, and academic pathways were all great,” she said. “The location in the city of Philadelphia helped me make my decision. I love the city with all it has to offer, and I have family that lives close by.”
Last season, Kamehameha didn’t qualify for the HHSAA Division I tournament. That snapped a 12-year state run. A return trip won’t be easy.
“It’s a process. Our success will depend on our two sophomore outside hitters. We’re just trying to get into a real good rhythm right now,” coach Sam Thomas said. “Nani swings high, hits a heavy ball and hits over the block. She’s a little more talkative and assertive, all in a positive way.
“She leads by example and has a great work ethic. When you give her instruction, her response is, ‘Yes, coach.’ She has a cut shot that’s similar to Kaiu Ahuna.”
Ahuna, a 2015 Kamehameha graduate, transferred to UC Riverside after two seasons at Eastern Washington. Her cut shot would spin away from a block with arm-side run.
Kamehameha plays Waiakea on Thursday at the Warriors Gym in what’s likely a preview for the league’s second spot to states. Hilo is a strong favorite to defend its BIIF title.
When Spaar rotates to the back row, Bello steps in and usually puts on an entertaining fireworks show. The 5-7 sparkplug is an explosive jumper and hitter.
“Tiani jumps out of the gym,” Thomas said. “She doesn’t swing as high as Nani, but she certainly puts the ball away. She hits the ball hard and likes her set a little faster and lower.
“It’s good for us to have that different look. Every year, her jump has gotten better.”
In his fourth year, Thomas continues to put his stamp on the program. His coaching style has been influenced from his time under former Kamehameha boys coach Guy Enriques, Waiakea boys coach Ecko Osorio, and HI Intensity club coach Carla Carpenter-Kabalis.
“I cannibalize all three. I learned to run a fast set-up from Carla,” he said. “Ecko would try to get input from the kids, and Guy’s big thing was ball-control, serving and passing.”
The team’s ball-control is in good hands with senior setters and co-captains Summer Ah Choy and Kiki Troy. They’re both at HI Intensity with Thomas, who joined in 2012.
“They’re both very positive players with excellent hands,” he said. “They run the middle well and are both team leaders. They do a really good job of getting the team to play together.”
The other ball-control wizard is senior Seizen Alameda, who comes from Libero Town USA. Her libero siblings, Kekaulike and Angel, played college ball as well as Ryan Thomas (Sam’s son). They all live on the same street.
“She comes from a long line of liberos,” Thomas said of Seizen. “She’s right there with Angel and Kekaulike. She has a good idea where the ball is going to go.”
Keane Farias, a part-time starter last year, will fill one middle blocker post. She’s undersized at 5-6 but compensates with her court savvy.
“She doesn’t have an exceptional jump, but she has exceptional timing. She does a nice job with her alignment,” Thomas said. “She’s a good kid and works hard. She’s a workhorse.”
Mackenzie Kalawaia, a 5-7 senior, and Tehani Kupahu-Canon, a 5-10 senior, will time share at the other middle spot. Kalawaia is better known for her work on the basketball team but has been waiting her turn for her second sport.
Keani Akui, a 5-6 senior, and Makenna Mahuna, a 5-9 senior, will see time at opposite in the offense’s two-setter lineup. Spaar played on the right side last year, so she could hop over to help on the block.
That will be a key matchup against Waiakea because Kayla Kahauolopua swings the biggest hammer for the BIIF runner-up.
Kahauolopua and her sister Cadelynn, along with Ah Choy, Troy, Alameda and Farias, all play with HI Intensity, so the Warriors vs. Warriors match doubles as a club reunion.
“Kayla is a great hitter, and I know the damage she and her sister can do,” Thomas said. “They’ve got defenders in Jordyn Hayashi and Makena Hanle. We’ll have to work hard.
“We absolutely realize we’re the ones chasing. Hilo and Waiakea finished 1-2 last year.”
Kamehameha lost just one starter from last year in opposite Kailee Yoshimura. It’s a senior-loaded roster now, with only Spaar and Bello as promising young guns.
“We’ll have those two sophomores so it bodes well for us that we’ll have them for a couple more seasons after this,” Thomas said.