The Kaua‘i High School girls volleyball team won Round 1 of the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation season and isn’t taking it too lightly. “It starts all over again,” said Kaua‘i head coach Richard Roberts of Round 2 which starts next week.
The Kaua‘i High School girls volleyball team won Round 1 of the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation season and isn’t taking it too lightly.
“It starts all over again,” said Kaua‘i head coach Richard Roberts of Round 2 which starts next week.
Kaua‘i finished Round 1, 3-1, a big improvement from a team who last year finished 1-7. Kaua‘i developed a stronger offense over the summer, having played more preseason games as opposed to practicing amongst each other. In Kaua‘i’s last game, Jamilee Jimenez had 15 kills and Kara Cummings had 13. Setter Jewel Villatora had 28 assists. It was that win, against Waimea High School, that gave them the lead in Round 1.
None of the teams are undefeated which means the KIF title could go to anybody.
“It’s going to be a competitive round. The first one was competitive, this one will be even more competitive,” Roberts said. “We just have to tighten it up. We need to be consistently aggressive. At some point, the two Waimea players will come back and Kapa‘a is getting its team together.”
Waimea lost senior players Cheri Kua and Josey Jacinto to ankle injuries and so far it is not certain when they will return.
“That’s some big spots to fill,” said Waimea head coach Chad Delanoza. “We’ll get through this. We’ve been working with our trainer and she’s been very good with our athletes and taking care of them.”
The Menehune (2-2) are the defending KIF champions and are still playing good volleyball despite the absence of Kua and Jacinto. Setter Qyla Parangao has stepped up to fill in for Jacinto and has been effective in moving the ball around to all the different players. Tatum Gonsalves, Brytney Yadao-Lanning and Tia Agader are all capable of getting into double digits in kills.
“That’s part of our being competitive,” Delanoza said about the versatility of the team. “It’s what gives us the ability to compete with the other teams. It’s been a wild ride so far and there’s no clear cut winner. It all depends on who’s playing well that night.”
Kapa‘a High School (1-3) is also dealing with a player out for a few games. Leilani Laranio is still wearing the sling on her left arm, but according to head coach Gary Maguire, she might be ready to play soon. That will put her back into the rotation with setter Mailika Napoleon, outside hitter Maliana Hamada, middle blocker Tori Tuttle and libero Megan Souza.
“We’re just now finding a rotation that works,” Maguire said. “I’m very happy with where we’re at right now. We’ve introduced a different offense and are running a lot of different plays. Our setter Mailika Napoleon is running the offense. She’s never set before and she’s picking it up real well. We’re well ahead of where I wanted us to be right now.”
In Kapa‘a’s game on Saturday, Hamada had seven kills and Napoleon had 13 assists. Maguire said the win against Waimea gave the team the momentum they need to ease into the second round.
All teams are off this week. Volleyball will start back up again next Wednesday with Kapa‘a hosting Kaua‘i.
