WAIMEA — After a five-set loss to Kapa’a last Saturday, the Red Raiders wanted nothing but a swift win against the Menehune. And the two-time defending KIF champions did just that in their first win of the 2005-06 season last
WAIMEA — After a five-set loss to Kapa’a last Saturday, the Red Raiders wanted nothing but a swift win against the Menehune.
And the two-time defending KIF champions did just that in their first win of the 2005-06 season last night over Waimea, 16-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-23. “They worked us good and I’d like to thank them for not extending the match to game five,” Kaua’i head coach Rich Roberts said.
With the victory, the Red Raiders moved to 1-1 and Waimea dropped to 0-2. Meanwhile, the first-place Warriors (2-0) need a win to clinch the first round title.
Reigning KIF player of the year Kehau Judd saved her best performance for the final three sets, which enabled the Red Raiders to jump ahead early and hang on for the set wins.
“She can take over the a game at anytime,” Roberts noted. Fellow senior and 2003 KIF player of the year Tina Moger also chipped in with a great performance.
“Overall, we’re gelling well, but we still need to be more consistent,” Moger said.
The Red Raiders were rudely awakened in the first set, as the Menehune came out confident and crisp.
“We seem to struggle at the beginning and that’s what we have to improve on,” Moger said.
The match was the first against each other for Roberts and Menehune first-year head coach Chad Delanoza.
“I was nervous going in, but Chad did a great job and he’s trying to build a program,” Roberts said.
The first set belonged to the Menehune, who opened up a 24-14 lead, thanks to Chaslee Delanoza, Tia Agader, Karmn Rivel, and Banana Kajiwara. Then Kaua’i controlled the final three sets, but it wasn’t easy. Waimea took the Red Raiders to the limit in the final three sets, with Cheri Kua and Brytney Lanning-Yadao leading the charge.
Lining it up
After starting the match, Kaua’i setter Ho’onani Dennis, and defensive specialists Trisha Niau and Jenna Akasaki sat out the final three sets.
That enabled junior Kristen Cummings and sophomore Nalani Haviland to gain important game experience, especially when going up against the Warriors.
