LIHUE — After losing the first set, Kapaa High School’s boys volleyball team won the following three to defeat Kauai 3-1. The Warriors won by scores of 25-27, 25-18, 25-19, 25-23. “We had a slow start in the first set
LIHUE — After losing the first set, Kapaa High School’s boys volleyball team won the following three to defeat Kauai 3-1.
The Warriors won by scores of 25-27, 25-18, 25-19, 25-23.
“We had a slow start in the first set … We were kind of sluggish,” Kapaa head coach Kapule Kaona said about the first set. “We were caught off guard a little bit.
“In the second, third and fourth set, our focus was getting a great start … and not waiting until the end to play,” he added.
Warriors senior middle Nicholas Hantz said the team’s slow start was because he and the others were playing too cautiously.
“(None of us) didn’t want to be that guy that messed up … We were playing a little bit conservative and didn’t want to make any mistakes,” Hantz said. “We knew this was a big game and we knew they were fired up for this game.”
With the win, Kapaa (10-1, 4-1 in second round) is now tied with Kauai for first place in the second round with one game left in the season.
Kauai head coach Merrill Carvalho said his team played with high emotions during the first set, but couldn’t carry that momentum forward.
“The other three sets, we just came out flat,” Carvalho said. “Our team plays like a roller coaster — highs and lows … (We) try to match that intensity from the first point to the last point. It is difficult, but that’s what we’re trying to work on, to be more consistent.”
Red Raiders senior libero Kaiea Iwasaki said Kapaa didn’t play any differently from when Kauai beat them earlier in the second round, but they “just wanted it.”
“We’ll come back next week and come swinging,” Iwasaki said. “We just have to practice and keep up our energy.”
The meet was Kauai’s last home game of the regular season and the school said goodbye to its three seniors.
Iwasaki said losing on Senior Night is disappointing, but it doesn’t diminish the experience of playing for the team.
“It does (hurt), but it’s all right. Just playing with my teammates, they’re a bunch of cool guys and it’s fun,” he said. “(I’ve had) fun times with my teammates … I love them. They’re my brothers.”
Kauai (8-3, 4-1 in second round) will play at Waimea and Kapaa will play at Island School on Saturday night. If both win, the two teams will play a second round playoff game on Tuesday.
“Waimea is going to be ready for us,” Carvalho said. “Knowing my seniors, they’re going to get the team ready. So, we’re expecting a playoff.”
Kaona said he will not be taking Island School lightly because of what’s at stake and what has happened in the past.
“Two years ago, we were in the same situation … All we had to do was beat Island School. That was an expected win and we ended up losing,” Kaona said. “We’re definitely not going to take that game easy. We’re still going to prepare like any other game and try to finish out the year strong.”
