Kapa’a head coach Merrill Carvalho hoped to earn some respect for the KIF at the state tournament and by ousting ‘Aiea last night in straight sets (25-11, 25-10), the Warriors moved a step closer to a state title — and
Kapa’a head coach Merrill Carvalho hoped to earn some respect for the KIF at the state tournament and by ousting ‘Aiea last night in straight sets (25-11, 25-10), the Warriors moved a step closer to a state title — and well deserved respect.
“It’s a great feeling to be in the title game. We went to watch ‘Aiea last night and when they upset Hawai’i Baptist in the first round. They were playing with their best player then, but he didn’t play for them last night because he got caught drinking,” Carvalho said.
Kaina Kahaunaele (5 kills), Chaz Galvez (4 kills), and Lyndon Pascual (4 kills) led the Kapa’a attack. Danny Rodrick added six digs and Pascual chipped in with three blocks.
No KIF volleyball squad has ever played for a state championship and the Warriors have a chance to bring back the first state boys volleyball title for a KIF school.
“Every win we make, we’re making history. I’m really excited. It doesn’t matter that we’re playing in division II, we’re still playing for a state title,” Carvalho said.
According to the second-year head coach, the team is starting to come together.
“I think if the boys play like how they played last night, we should be bringing home the hardware.
They finally showed up last night and played like true KIF champions,” Carvalho said. The Warriors face Mid-Pacific in the HHSAA/New City Nissan Division II State Boys Volleyball Championship game against Mid Pacific, tonight at 8 p.m. Kapa’a, the fourth seed, is the only seeded team left in the division II boys bracket.
Kapa’a girls face off against Kona
The KIF champion Warrior girls (6-1) squad battle today at 3:30 p.m. against the BIIF’s Konawaena for the consolation title.
A loss would give Kapa’a an eighth place finish at the state girls volleyball tournament.
