KAPA‘A — The undefeated Waimea Menehune traveled to Kapa‘a Friday night to take on the Warriors. Although Kapa‘a would keep the sets competitive they could not detour the explosive Menehune from leaving the Kapa‘a gym with a 6-0 record. Waimea went on to win in straight sets, 25-21, 25-9 and 25-16.
The first and most competitive set would see the Kapa‘a Warriors take to an early 3-0 lead with great play at the net from Ka‘imi Moniz. Waimea found themselves battling throughout most of the set both due to solid play from the Warriors and sloppy unforced errors from the Menehune.
Waimea seemed as if it would pull away multiple times in the set but just as you thought Kapa‘a was down and out they would find a way back into the game. With the Menehune up 19-15 with game seemingly in hand, the Warriors would win the next four points thanks in part to kills from Moniz, Kaylee Silva and Adarah Fujita putting them all even 19-19.
The next nine points would see extensive rallies with both sides willing to budge and inch, unfortunately for Kapa‘a some crucial fouls and unforced errors went against the team, which enabled the Menehune to capitalize and go on to the 25-22 win and the all-important 1-0 lead.
For the Menehune, the second set would begin much differently as Waimea seemed to come out energized after taking the 1-0 lead. The Menehune would start the set running off seven straight points. Lei Alejandro started the streak for Waimea earning back to back kills, which was followed by two aces from Talia Young, who played an all around solid game both setting up her teammates and at the service line, and finished off by two blocks by Kawena Warren.
Kapa‘a would attempt to climb back into the set and was aided by a couple of Eryka Keoho kills but could not quite string together enough points to ever catch the Menehune. Explosive play from Mariyah Oliver, who had three kills in the latter half of the second set would keep the Menehune in front and eventually the win 25-9.
The third and final set would begin with both teams trading blows, Kapa‘a with a kill from Whitney Beck and Waimea would respond with a kill from Warren. Unfortunately for Kapa‘a, Waimea would have multiple scoring streaks throughout the set.
Although Waimea seemed in control for the majority of the third set, Kapa‘a would keep it competitive, and at one point got the score as close as 15-13 in favor of the Menehune. Solid service from Paige Ando and Kaycee San Agustin would eventually propel the Menehune forward. Fittingly for the explosive Menehune the set would end off of a hammered spike from Oliver leaving the score 25-16 in favor of the Menehune who won in three straight.
The win takes Waimea to 6-0 on the season with the commanding lead in the standings. The Menehune will face off against the Kaua‘i High School Red Raiders at the Waimea High School gym on Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Kapa‘a will prepare to take on the Island School Voyagers on Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Island School gym.
In junior varsity action, the Kapa‘a Warriors would hang on to a 2-1 win over the Menehune, which finished, 25-14, 25-11 and 30-28. The third and final set, which was won by Waimea proved to be an exciting one.
With Kapa‘a down 24-23 and facing defeat, Ana Carvalho-Toloai would come up with a huge ace which would tie the set. The next nine points would find both teams jostling for an advantage with 3 lead changes and finally Waimea would break through and earn the set win 30-28.
Waimea got outstanding play from Ariell Aquino-Lazaro and Kapa‘a would get good play at the net from Brylyn Aiwohi.
Over in Lihu‘e the Red Raiders hosted the Island School voyagers. Kaua‘i would take the match in straight sets winning, 25-15, 25-23 and 25-17.
In junior varsity action Kaua‘i took down the Voyagers in straight sets, 25-11, 25-17 and 25-1.
