Another week of Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) spring sports action kicked off Monday with volleyball, softball and flag football events across the isle. See the paper all week for continued updates.
Wildcats, Warriors open week with wins
Konawaena boys volleyball got back on track after falling to Kealakehe late last week, redeeming itself against the visiting Hawaii Preparatory Academy Ka Makani inside Kealakekua’s Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium. The hosting Wildcats handled business in four sets, improving to 5-1 at the midway point of the BIIF conference schedule.
HPA, who had previously won two straight, dropped to 3-2 in 2025.
Kona won the first set 25-19, but Ka Makani soon countered with a 25-21 second-frame win. Motivated out of the break, the Wildcats elevated their play for the remainder of the night — winning the last two sets 25-12 and 25-17 to seal the deal.
In the previous matchup, the two school’s junior varsity squads matched up, with the Wildcats sweeping in two sets — 25-22 and 25-16.
Varsity Kona will look to form another win streak with its next matchup against Kohala — slated for 5 p.m. Saturday in Kapa‘au.
Ka Makani will have the rest of the week to rest and recoup, next set to play the Wildcats again on Monday in Waimea’s Castle Gymnasium.
Over on the east side of the island, Waiakea boys volleyball collected win No. 5 after escaping KSH in five sets. It was the first meeting this season between the two teams.
The match was the very definition of a back-and-forth affair, as Waiakea won the first set 25-16, but KSH responded with a 25-20 second-frame victory. Waiakea reeled the momentum back in the third set after winning 25-21, but KSH snatched it right back by escaping 25-22 to set up a decisive fifth frame.
In the final interval of the night, Waiakea was able to dig deep and win 15-12.
In the junior varsity match, KSH swept Waiakea 25-21 and 25-23.
With varsity Waiakea improving to 5-1 at the midway point of the 2025 schedule, the team will look to keep it going against Ka‘u on Monday in Hilo town.
With KSH falling to 5-2, it also squared off against Ka‘u late Tuesday night in Kea‘au. See the paper Thursday for coverage.
Pahoa crushes visitors
Pahoa softball won its second straight matchup in dominant fashion, routing the visiting Kamehameha-Hawaii Lady Warriors 25-10 in less than four innings of action in Pahoa town. The Lady Daggers elevated to 2-1 on the season, while KSH fell below .500 at 1-2.
The paper could obtain a box score for this game by deadline.
Through three games, Pahoa has out-scored opponents 56-37, conducting a high-powered offense. The Lady Warriors currently hold a 39-46 run differential through three meetings.
The Lady Daggers will aim to keep their streak alive with a continuation of their three-game homestand against Ka‘u at 1 p.m. this afternoon in Pahoa town.
KSH will attempt to snap out of its funk with a road matchup against the Lady Trojans at 1 p.m. Saturday in Pahala.
‘Riders rout Bulls
Falling to Honoka‘a in a heartbreaker last week, Kealakehe girls flag football got back on track with a 40-7 win over the visiting Parker Lady Bulls at Waverider Stadium.
The Lady Waveriders elevated themselves to 2-1 on the season, while Parker remains winless at 0-3.
Kealakehe has averaged 27.3 points per game while allowing 8.7. The Lady ‘Riders will have two more tests this week — their first at 4:30 p.m. Thursday against HPA at Honoka‘a High and second at 9 a.m. Saturday against Konawaena at home. Kealakehe will look to keep building on its strong start to the inaugural flag football season.
The Lady Bulls additionally have two more matchups this week — 6 p.m. Thursday against the Lady Dragons in Honoka‘a town and 12 p.m. Saturday against Kanu o ka ‘Aina at Waverider Stadium.