Waimea 3, Kaua‘i 1 – WAIMEA — Waimea High School’s boys volleyball team nearly gave up a six-point lead in the fourth game when Kaua‘i High School rallied to get within two point. But the defending Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation champions,
Waimea 3, Kaua‘i 1 – WAIMEA — Waimea High School’s boys volleyball team nearly gave up a six-point lead in the fourth game when Kaua‘i High School rallied to get within two point.
But the defending Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation champions, the Menehune, held off the Red Raiders to defeat them in four sets, 26-24, 25-17, 19-25 and 25-21.
Waimea, for the most part, was playing catch up in the first set, but not by much. The Menehune took the lead twice, with the final time being the most important time, to overtake the Raiders in extra play.
Waimea played smart in the second set, coming up with the much-needed defensive plays. The Menehune may not have the power hitting front line the Raiders enjoy in Basil Walton, Travis Stine and Jeremy Robinson, but they’re were still able to rack up the points. The Menehune got up to an eight-point lead at 15-7 and then again at 21-13.
Kaua‘i stepped up its offensive attack to take the third set, forcing a late-night fourth set.
Waimea racked up another lead and was three points away from finishing the match, when they allowed Kaua‘i to earn six-straight points to get within two points at 23-21.
Keelan Sakuda led the Menehune with 13 kills, nine blocks (five solo and four as half of a double) and five digs. Setter Jared Matsumoto tossed up a total of 19 assists. David Hesapene came up with 11 digs while Kevin Chiba had five.
For Kaua‘i, Aric Cansino had 32 assists. Stine and Walton hit nine kills each.
