HONOLULU — The second time around isn’t any easier for the girls of Waimea High School’s volleyball team. “They’re nervous,” said head coach Chad Delanoza. “We do have some returnees, but I think they still have some jitters.” The Menehune
HONOLULU — The second time around isn’t any easier for the girls of Waimea High School’s volleyball team.
“They’re nervous,” said head coach Chad Delanoza. “We do have some returnees, but I think they still have some jitters.”
The Menehune (7-2) are making their second appearance in the New City Nissan Division II State Volleyball tournament in as many years and face off against Ka Makani of Hawaii Preparatory Academy (13-3) at 6 p.m. today at Radford High School.
“It’s hard getting here. We tend to lose sight of why we’re here, but this year, we’re a little more focused,” Delanoza said.
To better prepare the team, Delanoza arranged a scrimmage last night against Roosevelt High School, who are also in the state tournament but are playing in Division I.
“The did good. It was good for them to get some of their jitters out,” Delanoza said.
Waimea played Hawaii Prep during the preseason and fared decently against them.
“They’re a big team,” he said.
Neither team is ranked despite Waimea having finished third last year.
Delanoza said that the team this year is slightly more refined than last and plays at a more dynamic level. Of the returnees, however, few of them saw playing time in last year’s tournament.
This could be to Waimea’s disadvantage, but Delanoza is confident this team can pull it off.
“We’ve had a lot of girls step up, like Tatum Gonsalves who stepped up to be a big hitter for us. Our setters have stepped up even though they haven’t played a long time in that position,” Delanoza said.
If they advance to the quarterfinal round, the Menehune will play top-ranked, Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion Hawaii Baptist Academy. The Eagles (14-4) received a bye for the first round.
The Menehune earned their spot in the tournament by winning Round 2 of the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation season and forcing a playoff against Round 1 champions of Kaua‘i High School.
Waimea won the playoff, snagging its second KIF title.
For results on the team’s game and other state tournament matches, visit www.sportshigh.com.
• Lanaly Cabalo, sports editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or lcabalo@kauaipubco.com.
