Bucky’s men’s volleyball team, comprised of players from the Big Island and Kaua’i, competed March 29-31 in the 2001 Haili Volleyball Tournament in Hilo. One-hundred-and-fifty teams from Hawai’i, the Mainland, Canada, Guam and Samoa competed in the men’s and women’s
Bucky’s men’s volleyball team, comprised of players from the Big Island and Kaua’i, competed March 29-31 in the 2001 Haili Volleyball Tournament in Hilo. One-hundred-and-fifty teams from Hawai’i, the Mainland, Canada, Guam and Samoa competed in the men’s and women’s single-elimination tournament.
Bucky’s performed well throughout the tourney. The team was the number one seed in pool play and it defeated Hi-5 Sport 25-12, 25-8 and Hilo Yacht Club 28-26, 25-21. Bucky’s then split with Players, the number two seed in the pool, 25-22, 21-23. The team went on to defeat Lokahi in the semifinal round, 25-12, 26-24 and eventually came in second to Outrigger Canoe Club in the final round, 17-25, 17-25.
Aukai Gonsalves, Waioli Gonsalves and Donn Dela Cruz made the men’s masters all-star team, and Waioli was named the most outstanding player in the division.
Bucky’s team members Aukai and Waioli, Scott Kouchi, and coach Ron Kouchi are all Waimea High School alumni. Members Mike Soong and J.D. Dennis are also from Kaua’i. Dela Cruz, Cy Alicuben, Ethan Castillo and manager Nik Geraci are from Hilo.