KAPA‘A — The Waimea Lady Menehune completed a perfect regular season, taking their final match down to the wire and pullng out a 23-25, 25-11, 25-13, 14-25, 15-6 win over a tough Kapa‘a Lady Warriors squad, Saturday at Kapa‘a High
KAPA‘A — The Waimea Lady Menehune completed a perfect regular season, taking their final match down to the wire and pullng out a 23-25, 25-11, 25-13, 14-25, 15-6 win over a tough Kapa‘a Lady Warriors squad, Saturday at Kapa‘a High School.
Waimea, which was able to clinch a Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation title on Wednesday by defeating Kaua‘i High School, completed its unbeaten run in just its second five-game match of the season.
The opener was tight throughout, as Kapa‘a’s Tori Tuttle set the tone with six kills and four blocks. Waimea’s setter Fiare Moe was doing her usual playmaking and had 11 assists, with Brandee Victorino and Jazzay Bradbury finishing off four kills apiece. However, a service error on game point gave the Lady Warriors the early lead in the match.
The serving of Shandelle Kapuniai got Waimea on track in the second game, as she hit back-to-back aces to give her team a five-point lead. Victorino took control of the net play and finished off five points with kills as the Lady Menehune closed the game with a 13-2 run.
The same pattern followed in the third game, with the teams staying tight until a Waimea run sent Kapa‘a reeling. Knotted up at 5-5, Waimea went on a 6-1 run that was highlighted by two Victorino aces. Again closing strong, the Lady Menehune had a 13-5 run to create the final math and seemed to be cruising to another win.
The Lady Warriors had other ideas and came out motivated in the fourth, racing out to an 8-2 lead. They played steady from that point and holding a 23-14 lead, Lea Sieckmann found Tylenn Morita for a kill and a game point. Hartley Dabin then closed the book on the game when she made a huge toss and her impressive jump serve was good for an ace.
The final game to 15 would determine if Waimea could complete the season unscathed. With the game tied at 4-4, the Lady Menehune went on one final run, rattling off five straight points, including another Victorino ace.
Moe found Jayme Jacinto and Bradbury, each coming up with two kills, and Waimea put itself in position for perfection with a 14-6 lead.
After a timeout, a Lady Warrior kill attempt found the net and the Lady Menehune had their 12-0 season.
Moe piled up 34 assists, while Victorino led the way with 15 kills.
Kapa‘a’s Tuttle had 19 kills and 16 blocks. The standout middle blocker was one of five seniors honored on this Senior Night, with classmates Yama, Hana Imai, Taryn Kaui and Leinaala McCabe also receiving pregame mentions.
