WAIMEA — The Waimea High School Menehune secured their third victory of the season Wednesday against the Kauai High School Red Raiders, but it wasn’t easy.
Battling hot and humid conditions at Clem Gomes Gym in Waimea, the two squads duked it out with the Menehune eventually downing the Red Raiders in four sets, 26-24, 25-23, 19-25, 25-14.
Menehune head coach Chad Delanoza thought his team played well in the first two sets but got a bit complacent in the third.
“We got a little sloppy in the third match,” said Delanoza. “The one thing we need to recognize is that every team we play is going to get better.”
In the opening game of the match, the Red Raiders looked as if the would steal the first set, jumping to a 7-1 lead behind early blocks from Harley Kaeo and Kawehi Harris, and an ace from libero Tahra Kaui.
However, the Menehune regrouped, capitalizing on Red Raider hitting and service errors, and a string of kills from Mariyah Oliver.
Trailing 10-7, Oliver went on the attack for Waimea as setter Bailey San Agustin went to the outside hitter for seven straight Menehune attacks. Oliver recorded six kills during this streak and helped Waimea grab a 13-11 lead.
The Menehune and Red Raiders jostled for the lead the rest of the way out in the first set, tying and trading leads three times before the set concluded.
At 24-24 apiece, Oliver and Talia Young each recorded kills, securing the game’s last two points and set one for the Menehune.
In the game’s second set, Waimea jumped out to a slim 3-0 lead before Kauai answered with four straight points of its own.
The teams traded scores throughout the set as the Red Raiders emphasized on their serving, pressuring the Waimea passers to commit mistakes. The Menehune, on the other hand, went back to their bread and butter, feeding Oliver and fellow hitter Kawena Warren.
The Red Raiders kept stride with the Menehune throughout the second set but couldn’t breakthrough.
Down 23-18, the Red Raiders received kills from Gilian Gregorio and Kamalani Hopkins along with two errors from the Menehune, bringing Kauai within one point of Waimea.
But just like the first set, Oliver responded for her team, recording two kills to finish off set two for the Menehune.
Although suffering two heartbreaking losses and falling behind 2-0, the Red Raiders didn’t give up.
With Kauai ahead in set three 6-5, an apparent kicked ball by the Red Raiders took place, prompting a 10-minute discussion by referees and coaches.
Rewarding the point to Waimea at first, the referees went back and changed their call, deciding to replay the possession rather than award the Menehune a point and a 6-6 tie.
From there, the Red Raiders didn’t look back, holding the lead from that point on to secure a 25-19 victory in the third set.
Dropping their first set loss of the season, the Menehune came back strong in the fourth set to a 8-6 lead.
Unlike the game’s first two sets, Waimea stretched its lead and held off the Red Raiders. Oliver added five kills, while Warren chipped in with three, securing a 25-14 set victory and 3-1 win over the Red Raiders.
Kauai coach Merrill Carvalho believed his team had its moments.
“Credit to our servers,” said Carvalho. “Putting the ball (in play) and making Waimea frustrated in passing.”
Carvalho believes his team is doing just fine and said he’ll look to fine tune their blocking and defense.
Menehune Mariyah Oliver led all attackers with 24 kills followed by teammate Kawena Warren with 14 of her own.
Delanoza believes it is what these girls put in at practice that led to their performances.
“We’ve been talking about that, that they need to do things at practice in order for us to do it at center court,” said Delanoza. “But it’s a group effort for us, we need all 12 to be on the same page.”
Talia Young also chipped in six kills for the Menehune, who totaled 46 kills on the game.
Jondee Rivera led the Red Raiders with four kills, followed by Adrienne Graycochea and Harley Kaeo who each had three.
Amanda Cadavona for the Red Raiders led the game with three aces and Gilian Gregorio was the lead blocker with three blocks.
Warren of Waimea also led the Menehune in aces with two and tied with Oliver in blocks with two apiece.
In JV action, Kauai took two out of three sets against Waimea 25-17, 14-25, 25-22.
Over at Island School, the Kapaa Warriors varsity and junior varsity teams swept the Voyagers.
The varsity Warriors won 25-9, 25-15, 25-22, while the JV swept 25-14, 25-8, 25-13.
KIF girl’s volleyball action continues Saturday with the Kapaa Warriors traveling out to Waimea High to take on the Menehune and the Voyagers of Island School visiting the Red Raiders at Kauai High School. Both matches begin with the JV at 5 p.m., with the varsity to follow no earlier than 6:30 p.m.
• Tyson Agbayani, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or tagbayani@thegardenisland.com.
