Waimea 3, Kaua‘i 0 – David Kaohelaulii may not have posted the best numbers in yesterday’s game at Kaua‘i High School, but the rookie sophomore was highly effective in Waimea High School’s three set win over Kaua‘i. Kaohelaulii, who is
Waimea 3, Kaua‘i 0 – David Kaohelaulii may not have posted the best numbers in yesterday’s game at Kaua‘i High School, but the rookie sophomore was highly effective in Waimea High School’s three set win over Kaua‘i.
Kaohelaulii, who is in his first year ever playing volleyball, was originally cast on the junior varsity team but was brought up yesterday and helped Waimea defeat Kaua‘i 25-20, 25-15 and 27-27.
Kaohelaulii finished with four blocks (two double and two solo) and three kills, his last one being the match winner. In the third set, Jared Matsumoto set him up on the left side and Kaohelaulii hit it off the block for the kill.
“I was kind of nervous,” he said about playing in the varsity match. “It’s more challenging when playing varsity. They’re much bigger and they hit a lot harder.”
But Kaohelaulii seemed to be at the right place at crucial times of the game.
“I didn’t know I was going to play so well,” he said.
Aaron Vea started out the match with an ace, his first of two on the night and Waimea quickly built up a lead. Quinn Gonsalves came up with a big kill in the final stretch of the first set, bringing the lead to 21-13.
Kevin Chiba dove for a Kaua‘i fast kill, but was able to duck out of the way in time when he saw it was heading out of bounds.
Waimea got to game point, but was held by Kaua‘i’s Travis Stine, who posted a solo block on Gonsalves. Kaua‘i was saved for another play when a hit by Gonsalves slammed out, still holding Waimea at 24 points. Kaua‘i’s Sheadon Ringor served an ace for another Red Raider point. But the rally didn’t last much longer as Waimea pulled out the win.
Game 2 saw Kaohelaulii put up his best numbers. For his first double block, he teamed up with Vea to put up a wall on Jeremy Robinson and when Kaua‘i setter Aric Cansino when back to Robinson for the very next play, Kaohelaulii went up for the solo block to make it two straight blocks in a row.
Game 3 started out much like the others, but momentum shifted halfway through. Robinson served for five straight points, to give Kaua‘i its first lead of the afternoon at 15-13.
Kaua‘i went on a brief run and Waimea was able to catch up, tying the game with an ace from Vea.
A few plays later, Robinson hit straight through the double block and right to the arms of Kalani Apillado, who deflected the hit out to bring the Raiders to game point. Robinson then had the chance to put it away on his serve, but hit into the net to tie the game at 24-24.
Going into extra points, Kevin Chiba hit an ace to give Waimea the advantage at 26-24. On the next play, Matsumoto connected with Kaohelaulii for the final kill.
Matsumoto finished with 20 assists. Keelan Sakuda finished with six kills and four aces. Gonsalves finished with seven kills and two aces.
For Kaua‘i, Cansino finished with 15 assists and Stine posted six kills and six blocks.
