KEALAKEKUA — Konawaena girls volleyball swept Honoka‘a in straight sets Wednesday to remain in its No. 2 spot in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division II standings — 25-18, 25-19 and 25-17.
The Wildcats now sit at 7-1, while the Dragons fell below .500 at 4-5 — losing its fourth straight.
With just four matches to go in the regular season, Konawaena next faces Ka Umeke at 5 p.m. tonight in Kealakekua in attempt to separate itself more from the teams in the middle of the Division-II standings. Honoka‘a has three matches to go, and will aim to right the ship against Parker at 5 p.m. Monday in Waimea.
Kealakehe falls to KSH
Kealakehe fell in straight sets to BIIF Division-I’s best Wednesday night in Kailua-Kona, with Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i winning 25-11, 25-9 and 25-10. The Waveriders fell to 0-9, while the Warriors finished the regular season 12-0 — maintaining a six-game lead over Hilo, who is ranked No. 2 in Division I.
KSH’s Maela Honma led the kills department with nine, while teammate Hali‘imaileauli‘l Kuamo‘o dished out an impressive 27 assists.
Despite the loss, Kealakehe head coach Mervyln Simmons drew positives from playing one of the top teams on the island.
“We’re trying to build that competitive mentality, and it’s gonna take some time,” she told West Hawaii Today.
The Waveriders will play their final game of the regular season Wednesday against Hilo at home. KSH will enjoy a week off before BIIF playoffs begin.
Ka ‘Umeke handles Kanu
In the season’s first and only varsity matchup between two Hawaiian immersion schools, homestanding Ka ‘Umeke Ka‘eo PCS swept Kanu ‘o ka ‘Aina PCS on Wednesday at Kawanankoa Gym in Keaukaha.
Ka ‘Umeke won in straight sets of 25-9, 25-19 and 25-13.
Now 2-7, Ka ‘Umeke is all but out of playoff contention. However, a playoff berth isn’t impossible, but will require defeating two of the top three BIIF DII teams.
Tonight, Ka ‘Umeke will play away at Konawaena — which stands at No. 3 in BIIF DII with a 7-1 record. On Monday, Ka ‘Umeke will travel over the volcano to face undefeated Ka‘u HS — the No. 1 team in BIIF DII at a 10-0 record. Ka ‘Umeke’s season will end at home on Friday, Oct. 13 against Makua Lani Christian (1-8).
Kanu ‘o ka ‘Aina has been unable to pull itself out of a slump during its first season in the BIIF, now falling to a 0-10 record. Kanu’s final home game will be at 11 a.m. Saturday against Laupahoehoe (3-6). Kanu’s season will end Monday, Oct. 9 on the road at Pahoa HS (7-4).