PUHI — The defending league champion and Division II state runner-up started its 2018 campaign with a road win.
Kapaa High School’s varsity boys volleyball team defeated Island School in straight sets Tuesday evening at the Wilcox Gymnasium at Island School.
“Coming in, we were excited but a little nervous as far as what to expect and where we’ve come from,” said Kapaa head coach Kapule Kaona. “We did have an opportunity to travel off-island for preseason. We did get a little taste of competition, of game-like atmosphere. So, that was good. Coming into tonight, still first-game jitters and some nerves.”
Warriors junior outside hitter Kiran Costa led the Warriors with 16 kills and two aces. He also had seven digs.
“It feels good (to be playing again). New team. We were senior-heavy last year, but we’re just trying to work and gel together,” Costa said. “We just got to work off this first game.”
He added: “We did all right, I think. Our overall game was all right, but there’s plenty of room for improvement whether it’s blocking, digging, serving or hitting.”
Kaona said in the team’s first regular season match, they were steady.
“Never really got too high, never really got too low,” he said. “We wish we would have picked up the intensity a little bit and keep the communication. That’s what we were hoping for playing in this type of atmosphere. It is quite tough.”
Island School (0-1 KIF) trailed, 18-9, in the second set. Then the Voyager went on a 9-3 run to cut the deficit late.
The Voyagers got to within four, but the Warriors held on to win the set.
“That was our downfall. Our energy dropped during the second set, but the boys picked it up,” said Island School first-year head coach Kylie Silva. “They picked it up toward the ending and pushed all the way through the third (set). … That’s one thing we got to work on — the communication, the energy and keep it up through the whole set, the whole game.”
Silva added considering the team only practiced for a short time, expectations were exceeded.
“These boys amaze me. We had three weeks. The other teams had a good month-and-a-half,” he said. “Within these three weeks, the boys took what we taught them and applied it tonight. They amazed not just me but the coaching staff, and I think they amazed themselves, too. So, I think they felt good about it.”
Warriors junior middle Ali’i Brown had eight kills and an ace for Kapaa. Junior outside hitter Raine Youne had eight kills. Junior setter Rusdan-Rocket Ahuna had 23 assists and three kills. Junior libero Pomai Rabago-Kaiwi had eight digs.
Voyagers sophomore Kieran Mitchell had eight kills, one ace and three digs for Island School. Senior Reece Valencia had nine kills and six digs. Senior Ryan Yavinsky had 18 assists, one kill and three digs. Senior Emi De La Mora had seven digs.
Kapaa also won the junior varsity match, 25-10, 25-15 and 25-18.
Kapaa will host Waimea, and Island School will play at Kauai High School on Friday. The JV games will begin 5 p.m. and the varsity will follow.
•••
Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
