WAIMEA — Most coaches would be happy with his/her team clinching a tie for the first round KIF title, but not Kaipo Kealalio Jr. The second-year Kapa’a girls’ head man felt his team didn’t play up to their potential despite
WAIMEA — Most coaches would be happy with his/her team clinching a tie for the first round KIF title, but not Kaipo Kealalio Jr.
The second-year Kapa’a girls’ head man felt his team didn’t play up to their potential despite their victory in four sets (19-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-22) over Waimea last night at the Clem Gomes Gymnasium. The win helped Kapa’a clinch at least a first round tie for the first round KIF title.
“We didn’t come out that sharp tonight, but a win is a win and we’ll take it anyway we can,” Kealalio Jr. said.
But Kapa’a’s big guns woke up in the final three sets, which led them to the 3-0 first round record.
“It feels really good, but we need to stay focused and keep working together as a team,” Kapa’a’s Poe Gantt said.
The junior terrorized Waimea blockers with her numerous kills throughout the evening.
The win sets up a huge match against the two-time defending KIF champion Red Raider squad, who have to beat the Warriors in their next contest to keep their first round title hopes alive.
“We need to come out fired and focused against them,” Gantt said.
The loss drops the Menehune to 0-3 and eliminates them from first round title contention.
But they fought hard and took the Warriors to the limit last night, thanks to the steady play of Tia Agader, Banana Kajiwara, and Chaslee Delanoza.
Besides Gantt, Kapa’a was paced by Brittney Carvalho, Amniesty Ragsac, and Joliann Arzadon.
“We’re pretty much a close group all around. We hang out together and work hard as a team,” Gantt noted.
Warrior boys bring out the broom
The Warrior boys’ squad kept pace with their girls’ team, with a convincing win over the Menehune in three sets, 25-23, 25-16, 25-22.
Kapa’a also clinched a tie for the first round KIF title. The triumph moved the Warriors to 3-0 on the season. Meanwhile, the Menehune remained winless at 0-3. In the first set, Danny Rodrick and Chaz Galvez led the way for Kapa’a in its 25-23 win.
Nate Borales and Lyndon Pascual utilized Rodrick’s great sets in the second frame on their way to a 25-16 victory.
Galvez and Borales nailed down the third set win, after some resistence from Waimea. The Menehune were led by Chris Newcomb and Kollin Morikawa.
