Jacinto, Kua return to Menehune lineup

Welcome back Josey Jacinto and Cheri Kua. The Waimea High School senior setter/blocker duo returned to the court last night as they guided the Menehune to a win over Round 1 champs Kaua‘i High School, 25-20, 17-25, 22-25, 25-17 and 15-13.

Jacinto’s and Kua’s numbers may not be as big as their teammates’, but they’re not bad for a pair being eased back onto the roster. Jacinto finished the game with 17 assists, 2 kills and 2 aces. Kua, who didn’t enter the match until the third game and still had somewhat limited playing time, finished with three kills.

But the team made up for it. Brytney Yadao-Lanning had 13 kills and 8 blocks (1 double, 7 solo). Tatum Gonsalves had 11 kills and an ace and setter Qyla Paraongao finished with 17 assists.

Waimea (1-0 Round 2, 3-2 Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation) and Kaua‘i (0-2, 3-3) split the first two games, but Kaua‘i got the one-up when it won Game 3.

Waimea jumped ahead early and riding on to an 11-point lead. A kill by Jacinto capped the game to force Game 5.

Waimea took a early lead again but started to fumble by going into the net. A kill by Kaua‘i’s Jori Jasper tied it at 7 apiece. Kaua‘i kept it close and when Waimea’s Parangao went back to serve for match point, Kaua‘i’s Jamilee Jimenez came up with a kill to reclaim possession. But Parangao connected with Yadao-Lanning for a kill to end the match and give Waimea the win.

Kaua‘i’s Villatora finished with 32 assists. Jimenez had 13 kills and Jasper had eight.