Kaua‘i High School’s boys (1-5) snagged their first win of the season last night in over Kapa‘a High School in four games, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21, 25-18. “I’ve been waiting for this the whole entire season,” said setter-turned hitter Jordan Cox,
Kaua‘i High School’s boys (1-5) snagged their first win of the season last night in over Kapa‘a High School in four games, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21, 25-18.
“I’ve been waiting for this the whole entire season,” said setter-turned hitter Jordan Cox, who hit a game high of 15 kills. “It feels really good.”
Cox and teammates Travis Stine and Basil Walton hit for 34 total kills to contribute to the win, while Aric Cansino filled in as setter with 8 assists.
“We’re more focused on the games now,” said head coach Corey Morishta. “We’ve just been focusing on each game as we play them.”
In all four games, Kaua‘i took the lead early on, which was a different for the team.
“We’re not used to being ahead,” Morishta said.
Kapa‘a, who falls to 2-4 on the season, was off from the beginning, with almost every serve going into the net. Late in Game 1, Kaua‘i could’ve easily put it away but mental mistakes allowed Kapa‘a to catch up. Finally a big solo block by Kaua‘i’s Travis Stine at game point solidified the win.
The tables turned in Game 2. Despite leading halfway through, Kaua‘i committed at least four service errors, leaving it open for Kapa‘a to take control and win that game by four.
In the pivotal Game 3, Kaua‘i again lead early on, but both teams fought point for point before Kaua‘i pulled ahead to again win by four.
Wanting to put the game away, Kaua‘i stepped up its defense with Stine and Sheadon Ringor posting huge double blocks to shut Kapa‘a down in Game 4, winning by six.
Kapa‘a’s girls (2-4) defeated Kaua‘i (1-5) in three games, 25-17, 25-23 and 25-19.
Before the game Kapa‘a head coach Joan Kealalio gave the girls a little pep talk.
“I said, ‘We got to win tonight. I know that and you know that, so let’s play,’” she said.
Kapa‘a setter Joli Arzadon started the match off serving five in a row to give the Warriors an early lead. Kapa‘a took that game by eight. Game 2 was a close one with Kapa‘a winning by just two. In between games, Kapa‘a assistant coach Asley Montalvo made sure the girls didn’t lose focus.
“It’s not over yet, we still got one more game left,” he said. “Play hard.”
In that same break, Kaua‘i head coach Rich Roberts also tried motivating his players.
“I told to fight till the end and that’s what we’ll continue to do till the end of the season,” he said.
Roberts tried something new for the match and added Megan Vento as the libero.
“I wanted to give a change with some added defense,” he said.
Picking up momentum in Game 3, Kaua‘i held a small lead but a double block by Arzadon and Maliana Hamada gave Kapa‘a possession and the fuel needed to take over the game. Arzadon served three aces in a row to put Kaua‘i away.
Arzadon ended the match with 25 assists and five service aces. Teammate Poe Gannt hit for 10 kills and Brittney Carvalho added eight.
Kaua‘i’s Jamie Jiminez was the star for the Red Raiders with 13 kills.
Kapa‘a travels to Waimea this Saturday at 5 p.m.
