KAILUA-KONA — With several Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) fall sports events postponed or cancelled over the weekend due to the tropical storms, Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy and Kealakehe girls volleyball’s matchup was one of the few that stayed on schedule.
On Saturday afternoon, Ka Makani traveled down to the Waveriders’ gymnasium on the Kona proper to face off for its first of two meetings in 2024. HPA made quick work of Kealakehe during the business trip, winning in straight sets. Ka Makani looked sharp offensively and defensively, which ultimately overwhelmed the Waveriders.
“They played great; they did everything we asked of them today,” HPA coach Daena Craven said postgame. “It was a good win.”
Ka Makani began the match on an 11-1 run in the first set, which caused an early Kealakehe timeout. HPA won the set 25-7 thanks to its aggressive hitting at the net from seniors Margot Lewis and Mya Pinkert.
But it was during the second set that Ka Makani displayed total domination and showed what it is capable of. Senior Maile Imonen served 14 straight times to begin the frame, giving HPA a huge advantage early. The red and white ended the set with a 25-2 win. Per ScoringLive, it was Ka Makani’s largest margin of victory in a set since the site began tracking scores in the late 2000s.
Waveriders coach Mervlyn Simmons called for a team-only meeting in the locker room following the set — reminding her girls of their potential and to never lay down, no matter what the score shows.
“I told them that it’s all about how you go down,” she said. “How you respond defines you.”
Kealakehe played with more fire in the second set, keeping pace with HPA in the early part of the frame. However, Ka Makani adjusted and closed the match out in a 25-14 win — led by senior Elaina Head’s superb play at the net.
Fresh off a BIIF Division II title and state tournament appearance a year ago, Craven mentioned that the win was a step in the right direction for what HPA ultimately wants to be — among the state’s best.
“We have to take it one game at a time,” she said. “If we keep working hard in practice and continue being supportive of one another, I think we’ll do really well (this season).
“I think if they become great friends, support one another and come to work hard at practice every day, then I’ll feel like we’ve done a good job (as a staff). We have four amazing captains (Head, Lewis, Pinkert and Imonen) that are all great at bringing the team together, so that will only help us.”
For the Waveriders, Simmons explained that it’s all about getting a little bit better each day. Being a younger varsity team with just two seniors, the second-year head coach believes the wins will come soon, and that all her girls need is just more experience.
“We’re a very young, fresh team,” she noted. “We’re trying to get them to buy into the mindset of competitiveness. We want to instill in them that no matter what kind of team we face, we go down fighting.”
Both teams next play today — Kealakehe (0-2) hosting Makua Lani and HPA (2-0) traveling to Honoka‘a to play the Dragons. Both matchups begin with junior varsity at 6 p.m.
Junior varsity: Kealakehe wins 2-1 — 19-25, 25-16, 15-12.
Parker 3, Kohala 0
Parker girls volleyball handled Kohala in straight sets Saturday in Kapa‘au.
The Bulls won 25-16, 25-13 and a narrow 27-25 third set to leave the Cowgirls’ gymnasium with their third win of 2024.
Parker (3-0) remains undefeated in sets played thus far, and will next face its biggest test yet in Konawaena. The Bulls and Wildcats play tonight in Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium. Junior varsity will go first at 5 p.m.
Kohala (1-2) will enjoy the week off before getting back in action against Ehunui at 5 p.m. Sept. 4 in Old Airport’s gymnasium.
JV: Parker wins 2-1 — 25-19, 18-25, 15-8.
KS-Hawai‘i 3, Kea‘au 0
Kamehameha-Schools Hawai‘i girls volleyball dominated Kea‘au in its season opener Friday night inside the Warriors’ home gym.
KSH won the first two sets 25-6 and 25-9, but the Cougars put up a better fight in the closing set — pushing the Warriors to the brink in a 25-23 final.
The Warriors’ Maile Kuamo finished with 20 assists. Teammates Moa Polloi and Shay Beals tallied six kills each. Camryn Grace led KSH’s defense with 12 digs. In the serve department, teammate Kealohi Dudoit recorded three aces.
The Warriors (1-0) were slated to play Christian Liberty Academy in Kea‘au on Saturday morning, but severe weather circumstances caused for postponement. A make-up date is scheduled for Sept. 3 following its matchup with Ka Umeke. However, their next matchup will be at 5 p.m. tonight at CLA against the Canefire.
The Cougars (0-2) faced the Daggers on Monday in Pahoa town. See Wednesday’s paper for the results.
JV: KS-Hawai‘i wins 2-0 — 25-9, 25-18.