If you had to describe the 2004 KIF boys volleyball season, domination would be a great word to use, as the Kaua‘i High School boys captured the title with an 8-0 record and a fifth-place finish in the state. Led
If you had to describe the 2004 KIF boys volleyball season, domination would be a great word to use, as the Kaua‘i High School boys captured the title with an 8-0 record and a fifth-place finish in the state.
Led by KIF Player of the Year, Futi Tavana (senior), the Red Raiders were challenged by Kapa‘a High School, who took Kaua‘i to three sets, two times. The Warriors were led all season long by senior and KIF All-Star Middle Blocker Alika Woodward. He was hard to stop with his menacing style, that kept the game exciting. Waimea also played tough despite being overmatched, thanks to senior and KIF All-Star Outside Hitter Josh Cabral.
Cabral, like Woodward was his team’s go-to guy in crunch time. The Red Raiders also dominated the KIF All-Star squad, starting with senior setter, Garrett Sakimae, who also earned state all-tournament team honors. Sakimae’s soft hands and Tavana’s smashes proved to be the difference-maker as the season went along.
Also crushing Sakimae’s sets were seniors and KIF All-Stars Kevin Downing (Outside Hitter) and Justin McSheehy (Middle Blocker). The duo put out more balls than Barry Bonds did this past season. Defensively, Kaua‘i senior Kaleo Baxter played the role of human backboard with impressive digs throughout the year, en route to being named the KIF’s All-Star as a defensive specialist. Kaua‘i’s Shawn Doo, Waimea’s Bobby Kamakele, and Kapa‘a’s Merrill Carvalho all did a tremendous job coaching this season, but in his first year, Carvalho’s craftiness was the difference, as his team played beyond their talents.
2004-2005 KIF Boys
Volleyball All-Stars
Player of the Year: Futi Tavana, Senior, Kaua‘i
Coach of the Year: Merrill Carvalho, Kapa‘a
Outside Hitter: Joshua Cabral, Senior, Waimea
Outside Hitter: Kevin Downing, Senior, Kaua‘i
Setter: Garrett Sakimae, Senior, Kaua‘i
Defensive Specialist: Kaleo Baxter, Senior, Kaua‘i Middle Blocker: Justin McSheehy, Senior, Kaua‘i Middle Blocker: Alika Woodward, Senior, Kapa‘a
