KAILUA-KONA — Kealakehe girls volleyball had a season full of ups and downs in 2022.
Following an eighth-place finish in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I and inconsistencies in team camaraderie, new head coach Mervlyn Simmons, who served as the Waveriders’ assistant in previous years, is aiming to turn the tides in the new season with a fresh approach.
“I want them to know that it’s a team sport, not an individual one,” she said during practice this week. “I plan to exhaust all of my efforts with them.”
Last season, Simmons explained that there was not as much togetherness within the group compared to this year’s preseason practices. Hitting home on this aspect of the game early on, she is preaching a positive mindset in order to set the highest goals possible.
“They are giving a lot of effort and heart,” Simmons said. “The drive is definitely there for us to be one of the top schools in our division.
“I want to help bring home a banner for the first time in Kealakehe’s girls volleyball program.”
The first-year head coach is additionally preaching mental focus as a central theme for on-court success. Simmons noted that being mentally tough is a recipe for long-term success when it comes to winning games, both in communication and performance.
“We definitely have strong team skills right now,” she said. “I’ve been preaching to them that this sport is 80% mental 20% physical. So if I can capitalize that first 80%, that 20% is much easier.”
“Our communication and our bond are strengths right now,” senior outside hitter Lina Husek added.
Kealakehe is also looking forward to the BIIF schedule adjustments for the new season. Unlike previous years, the Waveriders will be playing all Division I teams. Outside of tournaments, Division I and Division II schools throughout the conference will not be facing each other.
“I’m so excited for that, because we can strictly focus in our lane with the competitors that sort of fit our level as well,” Simmons explained of the changes.
While Simmons has high expectations for her team in 2023, her primary goal is to help her girls excel in the classroom first. She explained that success with grades can translate to success on the volleyball court.
“I really want to emphasize student first, athlete second,” Simmons said. “Supporting them with academics is going to be a main goal.
And of course, I want them to be better at the end of the season than when they started.”
The Waveriders will square off in their season opener following the junior varsity game at 10 a.m. Saturday at home against the 2022 HHSAA DI state runner-up Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i. The Warriors opened the 2023 BIIF season Wednesday night, sweeping Waiakea in straight sets to open the season 1-0.