Chyler Imai describes her Kohala Cowgirls as a special team and that definitely could be true in what’s so far an unpredictable volleyball season on the Division II level.
As a 2012 Kohala graduate, the first-year coach knows her history that the Cowgirls have never won a BIIF championship.
In most years, they would be considered a longshot, darkhorse, or underdog (pick your best description) for the BIIF title. But welcome to the up-in-the-air roller-coaster season in Division II.
The drumbeat of Konawaena, the four-time defending BIIF champion, dominating Division II has been put on pause. The Wildcats (3-3) lost to Makua Lani in five sets and also fell to Hawaii Prep and Kealakehe.
Kohala, which has been to the HHSAA tournament the last two years, beat the Lions and Ka Makani and visit the Wildcats on Oct. 11.
The Cowgirls remained tied atop the Division II standings with HPA after both lost to Division I teams.
Waiakea defeated Kohala 25-15, 25-16, 25-23 on Saturday night at the Warriors Gym, where the Cowgirls got a reminder of their potential in a competitive Game 3.
Earlier in the day, Kamehameha beat HPA 25-23, 25-10, 25-23 at Koai’a Gym.
Shania Fuentes knocked down eight kills, including seven in the third set, to lead the Cowgirls (5-3), who struggled with their first touch — serve-receive passing and serving.
Waiakea dropped 11 aces and had only one service error; Kohala had five aces and eight service miscues.
Kiana Kauka added six kills, and Mikayla Kekoa had four kills for the Cowgirls, who had ball-control issues and accounted for 22 kills against 25 unforced errors, not a good ratio.
The Warriors were far more efficient and had 38 kills and 27 giveaway points, often passing well and taking healthy swings.
Cary Catrett slammed 11 kills, Michelle Vintero nine, and Kelsie Imai and Siera K-Aloha added six kills each for Waiakea, which also got a standout defensive effort from libero Makena Hanle, who finished with 15 digs.
One reason Imai calls her Cowgirls a special team is because everyone plays all six rotations. Kohala graduated six players, including its libero and setter.
“This team is special,” Imai said. “I’ve never had a team or heard about a team where the middles are playing libero.
“Definitely, our No.1 goal is to win a championship. I think we can do it if we all put the work in and take care of our business. It looks like it could be anybody’s ballgame (in Division II). Everybody has an equal chance.”
In Game 3, Waiakea sped off on a six-point run to seize a 21-18 lead. But Fuentes, who’s 5 feet 5 kept findings holes, dropped two kills, then two Waiakea errors, and a Kauka tip led to a 23-23 tie.
But the Warriors got a sideout the easy way on a Kohala service error, and setter Halee Sweat closed the match with an ace.
There might seem to be a sense of urgency because Kohala’s six starters — setter Cheylin Imai, middles Gabby Tomas and Kekoa, hitters Fuertes, Kauka, and Mekaila Pasco — are all seniors.
But there’s depth on the junior varsity with 11 players, including six freshmen, and sound teacher/coaches in Imai and assistants Leeta Grap, a former HPA standout, and Ui Lorenzo, the wife of former coach Nick Lorenzo.
Kekoa is back on the court after sitting out last season to concentrate on softball. She adds size to the block at 5-11 and holds her own as a back-row passer.
At least for one season, Imai gets to coach her sister Cheylin, who’s in a new role at setter.
“I do get on her because I see her potential,” the Kohala coach said. “The setter has to set the pace, but she’s not vocal or loud. But I told her with your actions and the way you run the team you could be a leader out there.”
Imai and Grap were teammates at Western New Mexico for their last two years. Both work in the community — Imai at the Kohala middle school and Grap at Kohala Zipline. Grap will also take her state license test in December to become a massage therapist.
After college, Imai worked on Oahu for a year. Now, she’s back at home coaching, her way of giving back to the community and serving as an example that a small-town girl can earn a scholarship and chase a college dream.
“I love it,” she said of coaching. “Home is the best place to be, helping the girls and coaching where I grew up.”
Though Grap is from Waimea, her coworkers are from Kapaau, and she got high-fives when the Cowgirls beat her Ka Makani in four sets on Aug. 29.
Like Imai, Grap acknowledges it’s a different feeling coaching rather than playing. At least, the two former Mustangs have the next best feeling — practicing against the Cowgirls and showing them how it’s done.
“I love it,” Grap echoed about coaching. “It’s different being out of the box, but at least I got to practice with them. My coworkers at Kohala Zipline are all from Kohala. I’m from Waimea, and I don’t know where I’ll end up (Waimea or Kapaau) but as long as I’m home.”
