Kaua‘i High School’s girls volleyball team swept Kapa‘a High School 25-19, 25-18 and 27-25 in last night’s Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation opening game at Kaua‘i. Kaua‘i’s senior outside hitter Jamilee Jimenez finished the match with 12 kills, while setter Jewell Villatora
Kaua‘i High School’s girls volleyball team swept Kapa‘a High School 25-19, 25-18 and 27-25 in last night’s Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation opening game at Kaua‘i.
Kaua‘i’s senior outside hitter Jamilee Jimenez finished the match with 12 kills, while setter Jewell Villatora posted 16 assists. Kara Cummings had three aces; Jori Jasper had two — one being the match-point winner in the third game which went into extra points.
“That last game was really tough, really intense,” Jasper said. “As soon as I went back there, all I was thinking was ‘Get it over.’”
Kapa‘a dropped the first two games, but when it took an early 6-point lead in the third game, it looked as though they were about to force a fourth. Kapa‘a and Kaua‘i went point for point, until a long rally ended when Kapa‘a hit the net. That brought the score to 23 apiece.
The game was tied two more times after that. A hit by Kapa‘a’s Leilani Laranio brought the score up to 25-25, but another net violation by a Kapa‘a player gave Kaua‘i the edge. Jasper went back to serve for match point.
“An ace is good,” she said.
It’s not a bad season start for a team that went 1-7 last year.
“We did a lot more playing and a lot less practicing,” said Kaua‘i High School head coach Rich Roberts. “We’ve already played 24 games so far.”
The team hosted the Kaua‘i Challenge Tournament and played in the Ann Kang Invitational at ‘Iolani School and McKinley Volleyball classic. Roberts said that helped better prepare them for the season.
“It’s a battle test for them,” he said. “(Competing more) helps them with the pressure.”
Still, Roberts isn’t getting too far ahead of himself.
“It’s always nice to start with a win, but it’s still early. It’s anybody’s KIF,” he said.
Kapa‘a’s big hitter of the night was Maliana Hamada who finished the game with six kills. Rookie Tori Tuttle two big solo blocks and was part of two double-blocks.
On the junior varsity side, Kaua‘i won in four games 20-25, 25-12, 25-19 and 25-21.
Kaua‘i travels to Waimea High School Saturday.
