Anticipating an increase in the amount of competitive matches played in girls volleyball, the BIIF is decreasing the number of games that will be played during the regular season. ADVERTISING Anticipating an increase in the amount of competitive matches played
Anticipating an increase in the amount of competitive matches played in girls volleyball, the BIIF is decreasing the number of games that will be played during the regular season.
The league announced Tuesday that matches will be best-of-three. They previously were best-of-five, but the BIIF foresees more parity and fewer mismatches on the horizon with the switch to Red and Blue divisions.
“Basically, we’re going to see closer matches,” Hawaii Prep athletic director Steve Perry said, “and we’d have a lot of late nights if it was three of five.”
Perry noted a number of schools are fielding junior varsity teams this season, which will push back the varsity start time until after 7 p.m. on weeknights.
The best-of-five format will return for the postseason, which still will give teams a chance to prepare for the best-of-five HHSAA tournament, BIIF executive secretary Lyle Crozier said.
“People were getting home too late under the old format,” Crozier said. “It was effecting school.”
Larger schools such as Kamehameha, Hilo, Waiakea and Konawaena will play in the Red Division, while small schools will play in the Blue Division.
Waiakea coach Ashley Hanohano was caught off-guard by the decision.
“I believe it’s a disadvantage for teams that want to go to states,” said Hanohano, who also will have less time to manipulate her roster during matches.
“We try to play every player twice,” she said.
The season starts Tuesday.
