WAIMEA — Waimea High School’s Mark Kanahele has been one of the most intimidating and dominating players this season in Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation volleyball. Friday night was no different as Waimea continually found a way to get the ball to
WAIMEA — Waimea High School’s Mark Kanahele has been one of the most intimidating and dominating players this season in Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation volleyball.
Friday night was no different as Waimea continually found a way to get the ball to Kanahele when it mattered most. He attacks with ferociousness and as much controlled power as anyone in the league. The strategy paid off for Waimea with the Menehune coming from behind to beat the Kaua‘i High School Red Raiders in five sets, 8-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-20 and 15-13.
Waimea would find themselves in a hole early on with the Red Raiders jumping out to a 10-1 lead in the first set. Kaua‘i never took its foot off the gas pedal and went on to dominate the opening set 25-8. It was the trio of Mikal Moranz, Archie Vallatini and Dominic Armstrong that played exceptional for Kaua‘i in the set. Waimea seemed out of sync and helped bury itself with a number of unforced errors.
Waimea would turn its fortunes around in set two, however, Kaua‘i did not make things easy on itself and played sloppy at times early in the set. The Menehune jumped out to a 12-4 lead and started playing together as a team — something Head Coach Enoka Karratti and his staff had been preaching all week.
“They needed to stick together,” Karratti said. “They needed to realize that they had to stick together when times are tough. We had a big hole to come out of, so we had to play together and I’m surprised and pleased that they came through.”
The Red Raiders would claw back to a 22-22 tie near the end of the second set, but ultimately a pair of unforced errors and a Harry Waahila kill would close out the set.
Kaua‘i would again go ahead 2-1 by taking the third set. But set four would belong to Kanahele and the Menehune.
Kanahele seemed to be all over the court and led Waimea by way to a 25-20 win to even up the score 2-2. Not only was he effective hitting the ball, but even tallied a block and an ace.
“Mark has been on varsity since he was a sophomore,” Karratti said. “All of his experience really helps us. He is our horse, and we are going to ride him until he can’t go anymore. He has grown as a leader, and his leadership is something special. He is a safety blanket for us.”
Also patrolling the front line was Koa Luce-Yamamoto, who finished the night with a number of blocks and was Waimea’s most effective player up front against the Red Raider hitters.
The fifth and final set was a struggle with both teams seemingly matching each other point for point. With the score tied 13-13, it was Kanahele who would come up big again with a kill to get them within a point of victory. After a Kaua‘i timeout the Menehune wasted no time in earning that point and closing the match 15-13 for the come-back win.
Kanahele and the Menehune improve to 2-2 on the season, and the Red Raiders fall to 2-2. Waimea will play Island School on Tuesday, while the Red Raiders will attempt to bounce back against the undefeated Kapa‘a Warriors.
