KAPA’A — Nervous? At least not after last night’s win over Waimea. Kapa’a boys’ head coach Merrill Carvalho went into the game with loose nerves, but he came out with a big smile. The Warriors ruled, 25-17, 25-23, 25-19. “I’m
KAPA’A — Nervous? At least not after last night’s win over Waimea.
Kapa’a boys’ head coach Merrill Carvalho went into the game with loose nerves, but he came out with a big smile. The Warriors ruled, 25-17, 25-23, 25-19.
“I’m very pleased with the way we played. It proved that we were ready and it’s comforting to know that they can play at a high level,” Carvalho said.
According to the second-year coach, setter Danny Rodrick had a standout performance.
“It feels really good. Waimea’s a scrappy team, but we practiced hard and we communicated a lot better than before,” Rodrick said.
The multi-sport star mentioned that the team has bonded this season and he also liked the way their girls’ squad came out with the win as well.
Kapa’a got good play from Chris Ramelb, Henry Borges, Kaina Kahaunaele, Travis Wakayama, Chaz Galvez, and Lyndon Pascual.
Waimea was paced by Chris Newcomb, Calsen Agrade, Gabriel Kanahele, and Chris Aguilar.
Kapa’a girls ease to straight set win
Kapa’a head coach Kaipo Kealalio didn’t expect a straight set sweep against Waimea, but he’ll take the win anyday.
“I thought going in that we should’ve been more prepared, but we played hard tonight and it’s good to see them win on opening night,” the second-year head coach said.
The Warriors took three sets from Waimea, 25-18, 25-20, 25-20 in the first-ever best-of-five match in KIF history.
“I like the new format and I like the new libero position because we use it a lot and it gives us more substitutions,” Kealalio said.
It was also the first game for head coach Chad Delanoza in blue attire, but although his team didn’t get the win, he was still very proud of the way they played.
“It was fun, but a nerve racking experience. This team is willing to learn and they accept whatever’s coming to them,” Delanoza said.
Injuries might have played a big part for Waimea, who was without the services of big hitter Nue Wong and Brytney Lanning-Yadao.
“Nue is out for the season, but we knew that going in and Brytney should be out for at least the first half of the season, but we’ll definitely miss both of them,” Delanoza said.
Meanwhile, the Warriors were playing with a full deck of cards, including Amniesty Ragsac, who came back from a knee injury. Ragsac teamed up with Poe Gantt and Brittney Carvalho to lead the Warriors in the kill department.
Last year’s KIF all-star setter Joliann Arzadon came out crisp with perfect sets and numerous digs.
“Poe does it all and she’s expected to give everyone trouble. Joliann is also a tough player and she helped them out a lot,” Delanoza said.
In the first set, the Warriors jumped out to a 20-12 advantage thanks to Gantt, Carvalho, and Ragsac. The Menehune made a mini comeback as Krystal Kelley slammed the ball down on the Warrior side for the 18-23 deficit, but Kapa’a pulled away, as Ragsac’s kill clinched the first set win.
The Warriors cruised in the second set, as Ragsac, Carvalho, and Arzadon continued to put on the pressure. Waimea’s Cheri Kua and Kelley pulled their team closer at 23-20, but Kapa’a managed to close the second set out in its favor.
Waimea grabbed its first lead of the match early in the third set, but after a Gantt cross-court kill, the Warriors never looked back, on their way to a 25-20 win.
