LIHU‘E — Island School continued to make school history by capturing the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation boys volleyball title earlier in the year.
Tony Magaoay, the Voyagers’ coach, was named Coach of the Year when the KIF released its Boys Volleyball All-Stars, recently where Island School captured five of the eight spots named.
The Voyagers’ Josh Dobashi claimed Player of the Year honors as well as being named to one of the three hitting positions, a testiment being the rousing cheer from Voyager fans on a badly-needed hammer, or a hard dig from the back row where Dobashi mixed things up on the court with his long distance slams from the back.
Dobashi was joined by fellow Voyager Mike Fitzgerald who may have not been the tallest, or most powerful hitter, but was tenacious for peeking from the corner depths and plunking the ball to the right spots.
Kala Rall from the Warriors filled the third hitting spot, the only position the Warriors earned despite the plethora of talent that backed up Rall on the court.
Hanalei Wann-Keli‘iho‘omalu from Island School was named to the Middle Blocker spot along with Kevin Valenciano of the Menehune. Both players were adept in their named spots, but demonstrated overflow talent in other areas of the court, including hitting.
The Menehune’s second all-star position was awarded to senior Jonah Sandal, and the Libero jacket went to Island School’s Mark Fitzgerald whose twin got the outside hitting nod.
KIF Boys Volleyball All Stars
Outside Hitter: Kala Rall (Grade 12, Kapa‘a); Josh Dobashi (12, IS), Mike Fitzgerald (10, IS); Middle Blocker: Hanalei Wann-Keli‘iho‘omalu (12, IS), Kevin Valenciano (12, Wai); Setter: Jonah Sandal (12, Wai); Libero: Mark Fitzgerald (10, IS); Player of the Year: Josh Dobashi (12, IS); Coach of the Year: Tony Magaoay (IS).I