Five Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) schools represented the island in the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) Division I and II Girls Volleyball Championship tournaments this week on Oahu — Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i, Hawaii Prep, Konawaena, Waiakea and Ka‘u. The BIIF additionally sent five schools to states last season.
KSH earns bronze
The Warriors handled business in the Division I third-place game, sweeping Baldwin in two sets by scores of 25-21 and 25-15. With the win, KSH finished the year 16-1 overall after losing seven seniors from 2022 — capping off another season in the top three after placing second at states last season.
Maela Homna led the Warriors’ offense with 17 kills, while teammate Shay Beals collected 13 digs on the defensive side. Ku‘ulei Manaois led the Bears with eight kills.
KSH fell in straight sets to Punahou in the semifinal round Thursday after beating Roosevelt 3-0 in the quarterfinal the day prior.
“We came up one match short, but for a very young squad, the team overachieved,” Warriors coach Guy Enriques told West Hawaii Today. “Congrats to seniors Maela Homna, Cayla Carter and Anu Huihui, who all had great performances at state.”
HPA earns fifth 0verall
Ka Makani finished fifth overall in the Division II bracket, defeating Seabury 2-0 in the fifth-place match Friday by scores of 27-25 and 25-19. The win came as vengence for HPA, who lost in the same match in 2022 to Konawaena.
Mya Pinkert led Ka Makani with nine kills, while teammate Margot Lewis finished with seven of her own. Brooke Samura collected an impressive 17 aces in the serve department to lead the team. HPA finished with 22 aces and seven blocks as a team.
On Seabury’s side, Sofia Connor and Makalani Carey led with 11 and seven aces, respectively.
Earlier in the week, Ka Makani lost to Hawaii Baptist on Wednesday in the quartefinal match in straight sets. HPA then rebounded by beating Maui Prep 2-0 in the fifth-place semifinal Thursday.
Ka Makani officially finished the season 15-2 overall.
“It was a fantastic week, and we’re so proud of our girls,” HPA coach Daena Craven said postgame. “They improved so much over the course of the season and really were able to put it together in the end, especially against Seabury.
“We will miss and thank our seniors, Brooke Samura and Meleana Warfield. It was a pleasure working with them.”
Ka‘u wins consolation bracket
After falling three sets to one against Damien on Tuesday in the first round of the Division II tournament, the Trojans bounced back by sweeping Konawaena on Wednesday in the consolation semifinal and winning 2-1 over Kapaa in the championship. The Trojans finished 16-2 overall in 2023.
Ka‘u redeemed itself after falling to Kailua in the consolation semifinal last season.
Konawaena falls in consolation semis
The Wildcats lost to Ka‘u in the consolation semifinal match in a straight-sets score of 2-0, following being a sweep from University in their Division II first-round matchup. Konawaena finished fifth at states in 2022.
The Wildcats finished the 2023 season at 12-5 overall.
Waiakea falls in first round
The Warriors lost to Kapolei in straight sets in their Division I first-round match Monday — 25-15, 25-12 and 25-8.
Toryn Ono led Waiakea with six kills, while teammate Kdynse Apaka finished behind with five.
The Hurricanes were heralded by Leila Paraocan and Maitlyn Royal, who combined for 27 kills.
The Warriors ended their season on a high note after missing states last season.
State winners
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama won the Division I title over Punahou three sets to one — 25-23, 19-25, 25-22, 25-22. The state title comes after the Warriors failed to qualify for the tournament last season.
K. Chock and Adrianna Arquette combined for 33 kills for KSK. The Buffanblu were led by Kathleen P. Uluave, who had 18 kills. Punahou’s Rella Binney additionally notched an eye-opening 42 aces.
The Warriors finished the season 17-1 overall.
Over in Division II, Mid-Pacific claimed the crown over University after a nail-biting, five-set match — 17-25, 25-14, 25-20, 21-25, 15-12. Like KSK, University did not qualify for the 2022 tournament.
Payton Smith and Brooke Eglinton combined for 39 kills for the Owls. Mid-Pacific finished the season 12-4 overall. Miliana Sylvester had 25 kills of her own for the Jr. Bows.
