KAPAA — Despite an early advantage, the Warriors from Kauai’s Eastside couldn’t hang on to claim the top prize.
Kapaa High School’s varsity boys volleyball team fell to No. 2 Saint Francis of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu in the championship match of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association New City Nissan Boys Volleyball State Championships – Division II state tournament Saturday.
“We felt pretty confident coming into the game,” Kapaa head coach Kapule Kaona said on Sunday. “After our semifinal game, we had an opportunity to watch Saint Francis against Molokai, just to scout them and know what to expect. We got a good look at them. After the scouting report, we felt pretty confident moving into Saturday.”
He added: “With the start of the game, we thought nerves would be a part of it, but it really wasn’t the case for the most part. We did have a fast start to the game. That always bodes well for us when we’re able to have those quick starts, to go up quick and be able to maintain that lead. That was key for us. But in the third set, we opened up the door for them.”
Kapaa (13-2, 11-1 Kauai Interscholastic Federation, 2-1 HHSAA), the No. 1 seed of the Division II tournament, lost to Saint Francis at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu — 15-25, 19-25, 25-18, 25-19, 15-12.
After getting a two-set lead early, Kaona said there was a pivotal point that turned the tide.
“We were stuck in a particular rotation. I don’t remember what rotation it was, but in that rotation, we struggled in our passing. And they went on a five-point run or so,” Kaona said. “I can’t remember the exact moment, but I can remember that time we were stuck in that rotation and we couldn’t get out of it.”
The last and only time the KIF won a boys volleyball state championship was in 2005 when Kapaa won the inaugural Division II tournament under then-head coach Merrill Carvalho.
For Kaona, this was the second year in a row in which Kapaa reached the D2 championship match but couldn’t clinch. Kapaa fell in straight sets to Hawaii Baptist Academy of the ILH in last season’s title game.
Kaona said afterward he contemplated whether he did enough to prepare his team. But he decided that despite the result, he and his team did leave everything out on the court.
“I don’t think there was any more I could have done. We prepared them well all season long. They were prepared,” Kaona said. “We were tested in the opening matches of the state tournament that I think prepared us well for tight situations — coming from behind and winning, and coming out the gates with fast starts and winning the game.”
After the tournament, two Warriors were recognized. Junior setter Rusdan-Rocket Ahuna and sophomore middle blocker Justin Faidley were named to the Division II All-Tournament Team, as selected by HHSAA and the media.
“Rocket just has a steadiness about him. He’s calm and collected. He doesn’t get overly frantic,” Kaona said.“He just stays and plays within himself. He’s a good, calming personality to have on the court. As a leader, you need someone who always stays in control of their emotions.
“As far as Justin Faidley, he had a great tournament. You’re talking about a kid who only played his freshman year, for two or three months last year, and then having to step in a role as the starting middle blocker in a varsity team with only three years of volleyball experience.
“It’s just a testament to his hard work and how coachable he is.”
Kapaa ends its 2018 campaign with a 13-2 overall record, going 11-1 en route to winning its third consecutive KIF championship and going 2-1 at the state tournament.
Considering the team is mostly comprised of juniors this year, Kaona is optimistic of having similar success next season.
“Our core group of players, yes, we return a majority of that group. I’m very confident about our chances, as we should,” Kaona said. “Going to the state tournament with the experience that we have, I’m very confident of next year’s season and getting these boys back. The true test will be what these boys do in the offseason that will help them prepare for next season.”
Division II results
Championship: No. 2 Saint Francis (ILH) 3, No. 1 Kapaa (KIF) 2 (15-25, 19-25, 25-18, 25-19, 15-12)
Third place: Pearl City (OIA) 2, No. 3 Molokai (MIL) 0 (25-22, 25-17)
Fifth place: Hawaii Prep (BIIF) 2, Kalani (OIA) 1 (21-25, 25-20, 15-10)
Division II All-Tournament Team
Mofuike Hafoka, Saint Francis
Justin Faidley, Kapaa
Wembley Mailei, Saint Francis
Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Pearl City
Rusdan-Rocket Ahuna, Kapaa
Walter Berthold, Saint Francis
Most Outstanding Player: Jesus Garcia, Saint Francis
— Information from HHSAA
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Nick Celario can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
