HILO – The baby-faced assassin was at it again.
The bigger the competition the better Kamehameha junior Nani Spaar, born with a youthful appearance and thunder in her arm, plays with a confidence that fits her calm demeanor.
Spaar slammed deadly sharp angles and racked up 25 kills to lead the Warriors over Hilo 25-20, 25-23, 30-28 in a BIIF Division I showdown over Hilo on Monday night at the Vikings Gym.
Kamehameha (14-0) is now in the driver’s seat for the BIIF regular season title, which includes the league’s first berth to the HHSAA tournament.
Tiani Bello provided just enough sport with six kills, but Spaar clearly shouldered the offense. The 6-foot junior outside hitter had five kills in the first set, followed nine and 11 kills in the last game.
The narrative coming into the season for the Warriors was their lack of inexperience. But their ball-control looks similar to the era when they were winning a string of BIIF titles from 2011 to ’14.
Also, the biggest hole was supposedly at setter after Summer Ah Choy and Kiki Troy graduated and are now playing college ball. But freshman Sierra Scanlan has stabilized the position, and Kamehameha runs a 5-1 with her good hands in every rotation.
The ball-control improved when senior Mahina Kenoi, who started the season at outside hitter, moved to libero. Her passing in serve-receive has allowed Scanlan an opportunity to spread the ball.
The Vikings, who entered the match with a reputation for offensive efficiency, struggled with their ball-control, especially their setting. They had just 22 kills against 28 unforced errors.
The Warriors had far more firepower with 43 kills against 38 giveaway points, the former a sign of their potential and the latter an indication of their inexperience. They had six aces but eight service errors.
Hilo (12-1) just couldn’t get enough clean looks for their top hitters. Mahala Kaapuni had 11 kills, and Taina Leao added nine.
The Waveriders (9-2) already finished the Big Four meat grinder with a 1-2 record: loss at Hilo, three-set loss to Kamehameha and four-set win over Waiakea.
Kamehameha has a home date against Waiakea (8-1) on Wednesday while the Vikings play at Waiakea on Monday, Oct. 8 to complete the Big Four tour for everyone.
The league’s other state spot will be determined at the BIIF tournament, slated for Oct.17-18 at Konawaena’s gym.
In the 25-20 first set, Spaar was just getting warmed up with five kills, but it was Hilo’s unforced errors that was its undoing. The Vikings had three straight giveaway points to hand Kamehameha a 17-13 lead that stood up.
The Warriors pulled out a 25-23 win despite more than a few self-induced issues. They had fewer kills than unforced errors, 13-14, including five service errors.
She had all eight of Kamehameha’s kills, until Bello dropped a shot to cut Hilo’s lead to 21-20. Then Kanani Chan blasted an overpass and Bello followed with a roll shot for a 22-21 lead. Bello closed the set with an ace.
But it helped that Spaar was on fire with nine kills, working corner shots from the left post and back row, making her a dangerous threat in every rotation.
There were too many highlight reel moments in Game 3 for Spaar, who hit cut shots from the back row and served tough, another of her deadly assists.
Kamehameha held a comfortable 16-11 cushion until Hilo scored six straight to jump ahead 17-16. Later, Spaar tied it at 24, 25 and 26. Taylor Canon pushed the Viks ahead 27-26.
From there, Hilo had three straight unforced errors, and Makaala Rosehill dropped an ace on match point, establishing Kamehameha as the team to beat.