LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i High School Red Raiders hosted the Waimea Menehune girls volleyball team Wednesday night at the Kaua‘i High Gym. The game was the first of the season for both squads. The Red Raiders took the early lead
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i High School Red Raiders hosted the Waimea Menehune girls volleyball team Wednesday night at the Kaua‘i High Gym. The game was the first of the season for both squads.
The Red Raiders took the early lead in the first set, however the success was short lived as the Menehune would come back strong and take down Kaua‘i in straight sets, 25-20, 25-23, 25-15. The victory was an impressive one for the Menehune having never wavered even when the Red Raiders rallied throughout the game.
The first set remained tight at 19-19 until the Menehune rallied off six of the last seven points to secure the set. Unfortunately for Kaua‘i, many of those late set points came off of unforced errors, which the Menehune were able to capitalize on and swing the momentum of the entire game in its direction.
The second and closest set of the night was highlighted by a number of brilliant rallies, kills and digs from both sides. Just when the set seemed as if it were heading toward an easy victory for the Menehune being up 21-16, the Red Raiders began to play with a sense of urgency and rallied in part due to excellent serving from Ashley Ramelb, who got Kaua‘i within one point at 24-23. However it was all for not, as Mariyah Oliver would rise up for the kill and final point in the set. Both Oliver and Kawena Warren performed brilliantly throughout for the Menehune in the victory.
The third set started with much of the same story as Waimea would take an early lead, but Kaua‘i would keep battling and rally to take an early 11-8 lead. The Red Raiders appeared to be rolling, only to see any hope of a comeback dashed due to stellar Menehune play and Kaua‘i unforced errors. The Menehune would go on to take a mind boggling 17 of the last 20 points and the straight set victory.
The win puts the Menehune at 1-0 on the season and sets Waimea up to play Island School on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Island School Gym.
The defeat puts Kaua‘i at 0-1 on the year. The Red Raiders will take on Kapa‘a on Saturday at Kapa‘a High School Gym at 6:30 p.m.
In the JV match before the varsity game, the Red Raiders defeated the Menehune 18-25, 25-23 and 25-23.
In other Varsity action Wednesday night in Kapa‘a, the Warriors took down Island School in four sets, 19-25, 25-13, 25-12, 25-16.
In JV action in Kapa‘a, the Warriors beat Island School in straight sets, 25-7, 25-5, 25-23.
