As voted by the coaches, the 2015-16 Kauai Interscholastic Federation girls volleyball all stars have been chosen. Of the nine slots that comprise the list, seven were selected from this year’s KIF champion Kapaa Warriors. Kapaa varsity head coach Evan
As voted by the coaches, the 2015-16 Kauai Interscholastic Federation girls volleyball all stars have been chosen.
Of the nine slots that comprise the list, seven were selected from this year’s KIF champion Kapaa Warriors.
Kapaa varsity head coach Evan Costa said because of the effort of the whole team, the all stars chosen were given the platform to succeed.
“The girls who didn’t start, they are the one who pushed these girls who you see in the paper now,” Costa said. “Without the girls from the bench, I don’t think these girls would be in the position that they are in today, in terms of being recognized. Those girls on the bench rarely got to play. Yeah, they didn’t feel too happy sitting on the bench. But it was their had work and pushing forward that pushed the number one girls, which is what you see.”
Kapaa senior outside hitter Haaheo Mahinai was named Player of the Year.
“I can’t even explain. It’s exciting,” Mahinai said Tuesday upon receiving the news about the accolade. “It just shows that all the hard work you put in, and if you keep yourself focused and never give up, it will all be worth it in the end.”
She added the award is especially meaningful because this past season was her last. It is also her first all star selection.
“That was my last time playing high school volleyball with that team,” she said. “This year, the bond that we had, it made it a lot harder to not be at practice the very next day when the season was over.”
Costa said Mahinai was the choice, not only because of her ability offensively, but also because of what she did defensively.
“I’m going to be honest. She wasn’t as dominant as (Kauai High senior outside hitter Adrienne Graycochea or Waimea outside hitter Ariell Aquino-Lazaro offensively). But what she brought was consistency all the way around. In the front row keeping the ball in play, and in the back row you got to serve consistently,” Costa said about Mahinai.
“Our choice as the coaching staff, I think one of the main ones was her defense. She made some saves that kept us in the game. On Oahu (during the state tournament), that one scramble that changed the momentum, she did that,” he added. “Running down those crazy balls and keeping it alive is what separated her from her teammates. We have good defensive players on our side. But to do it all, she was the only girl that could do it all.”
Graycochea and Aquino-Lazaro were the only non-Warriors selected.
“To me, it means the hard work, dedication and putting all your effort into something, that will pay off in the long run,” Graycochea said, who was also an all star selection last year. “What I’ll remember most from my senior year is the hardships and benefits that volleyball gave to me. I worked with a young team. Even though we didn’t win KIF, I still learned a lot and gained a lot of knowledge from all the volleyball girls.”
“It actually means a lot. Compared to what happened last year, we came back as a team. … Everybody was doubting us, but we proved them wrong — that we could get to the (KIF) championship game, and we did,” Aquino-Lazaro added, a first-time all star selection. “It’s definitely a great feeling to be on the all star list. It is my last year. It’s going to be a memorable thing to me.”
Costa was named Coach of the Year. The Warrior wahine were 13-4, going 11-3 in KIF regular season. The team was 2-1 at the New City Nissan Girls Volleyball Champions–Division II state tournament, defeating Hawaii Preparatory Academy of the Big Island in the consolation final.
“I guess it’s good. I’m just thankful that our girls got to go to Honolulu,” Costa said about the award. “Their years of hard work, some of them have been playing with me since they were fourth or fifth graders. To have them actually accomplish a goal like this, for themselves to have that experience, that was more gratifying to me — to see them get this opportunity.”
Outside hitters
Tori Daligcon-Pomaikai, Kapaa, senior
Adrienne Graycochea, Kauai, senior
Ariell Aquino-Lazaro, Waimea, senior
Middle blockers
Paea Tafea, Kapaa, junior
Siokapesi Paua, Kapaa, senior
Setter
Kunani Tuttle, Kapaa, senior
Libero
Kainani Moniz, Kapaa, junior
Player of the Year
Haaheo Mahinai, Kapaa, senior
Coach of the Year
Evan Costa, Kapaa
