Smart subbing lifts Warriors to winBy JASON GALLIC TGI Sports Editor KAPA’A — When a team’s back is pressed against the wall, the onus for performance generally falls on the players. The coaches have done their part; it becomes time
Smart subbing lifts Warriors to winBy JASON GALLIC
TGI Sports Editor
KAPA’A — When a team’s back is pressed against the
wall, the onus for performance generally falls on the players. The coaches have
done their part; it becomes time for the players to make plays.
Kapa’a’s
players made those plays Saturday night in a 15-10, 14-12 victory over Waimea
(2-1, second round). But the bodies on the court also got a major boost from
the sideline.
Warriors coach Manny Henriques turned substitution into an
art form, stitching players and situations into one, yielding a near perfect
success rate.
“You could say it’s the coaching, maybe,” Henriques said.
“But I don’t know. I just think the boys knew they had to win and they played
like it.”
As the second game wound down, Henriques put Vincent Dora into
his front line for what amounted to two serves. The junior picked up a key
block for Kapa’a (1-2). Later, as the match entered its most critical phase,
Henriques subtituted Chris McKeown for star hitter Kekoa Chun. McKeown made a
series of rally-lengthening saves, and dug a Waimea kill that had every right
to hit the floor.
Chun, who recorded a team-high 10 kills as well as three
blocks, returned to the game just moments later, and helped finish off the
Menehunes.
“What’s great is to see these bench guys know how to come in and
do their jobs,” Henriques said. “They may not be getting a lot of time, but
they are capitalizing when they’re in there.”
Kapa’a was also the
benefactor of Austin Alapai’s fast-improving game. The junior was out for the
entire first round with an arm injury, but looks to be regaining his form.
Alapai registered six kills, including two monsters late in the second game, to
go with his four blocks.
“They played with a lot better intensity than we
did,” Waimea coach Bobby Kamakele said. “They scrambled for balls, and seemed
to know they were in a must-win situation.”
Junior James Marques led Waimea
with nine kills.
As far as winning the KIF second round goes, the Menehunes
are still in control of their own destiny. They have Wednesday off, but can
wrap up round two with a win over Kaua’i next Saturday.
Girls
varsity
Waimea got to clear its bench as it rolled to a 15-6, 15-7 win over
Kapa’a.
Britnee Boeder led the Menehunes with six kills. Serina Roush and
Cheri Lum led the Warriors with four kills apiece.
Waimea got impressive
work from the service line. Ashley Hori reeled off six consecutive points in
the first game, and Ashlee Vea hit for seven in a row in the second
game.
Jayvee
In the boys match, Waimea needed three games, but got the
best of Kapa’a, 14-12, 12-15, 10-7. In the girls duel, Waimea defeated Kapa’a
15-9, 15-10.
