PHOTO: Pilipa‘a Volleyball plays in Florida

Standing left to right): Ecko Osorio, head coach; Min Park assistant coach; Tre Hill (Kea’au, outside hitter, 2023, Honorable Mention-D1); Kalena Launiu (Kamehameha, 2024, setter, 1st team-D1); Jayse Hayashi (Waiakea, 2025, libero, 1st team-D1); Kingston Kahapea-Boyd (Waiakea, 2024, middle blocker, 1st team-D1); Palikapu Wilson (Hilo, 2025, middle blocker, Honorable Mention-D1); Nainoa Paio (Kamehameha, 2024, opposite hitter, Player of the Year-D1); Jacob Tajiri (Waiakea, 2026, setter, Honorable Mention-D1); Hunter Paio (Pahoa, 2024, middle blocker, 1st team-D2); Clayton Morante, assistant coach; Pauline Morante, assistant coach. Kneeling in front (left to right): TJ Kuahuia-Faafia, (Ka’u, 2024, outside hitter, Player of the Year-D2), Kolonahe Walker (Hilo, 2024, setter, Honorable Mention-D1).
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The Pilipa‘a Volleyball Club traveled from Hilo to Orlando, Florida, in July to compete in the 18 Club Division at the AAU Boys’ Junior National Championships.

After posting an impressive record of 11-2, they won the Consolation Bracket , earning ninth place out of 78 teams from across the country.

The experienced staff was led by well-known coach Ecko Osorio, who has coached some of these players since middle school. The players came together from six different schools on the Big Island (classes 2023-2026). Each player earned a spot on the All-BIIF 1st team or Honorable Mention, including both D1 and D2 Players of the Year.