KIF regular season volleyball is set for its finale tonight with the Red Raiders of Kauai High visiting the Waimea Menehune and the Kapaa Warriors traveling out to Island School to take on the Voyagers. With the Menehune grabbing a
KIF regular season volleyball is set for its finale tonight with the Red Raiders of Kauai High visiting the Waimea Menehune and the Kapaa Warriors traveling out to Island School to take on the Voyagers.
With the Menehune grabbing a victory over the Voyagers and the Warriors taking down the Red Raiders on Tuesday night, Waimea secured the KIF second-half title.
Heading into Tuesday’s match with Kapaa, the Red Raiders sat in second place for the second-half with a record of 3-1, with their only loss coming against the Menehune on Oct. 8.
If Kauai was able to win against the Warriors on Tuesday, the Red Raiders could have had one final shot to hand the Menehune their only loss of the second-half on Friday, sending the two teams into a playoff scenario for the second-half title next week.
But that didn’t happen.
Having already secured the first-half title against the Warriors of Kapaa on Sept. 27, the Menehune, with the second-half in hand, also wrapped up the overall KIF title on Tuesday night, earning them a bid in this year’s state tournament.
Waimea and Kauai will link up tonight at Clem Gomes Gym in Waimea for the fifth time this season, with the Menehune owning the season series 4-1.
Their only loss against the Red Raiders was back on Sept. 20 at Kauai High School when the Red Raiders swept the Menehune to force a three-team playoff for the first-half title.
Over at Island School, the Kapaa Warriors will take on the Voyagers for the fourth time this season with the Warriors owning the season series 4-0.
The Menehune sit on top of the KIF with an overall record of 11-2 followed by the Red Raiders at 7-5, Kapaa at 6-6 and the Voyagers at 0-11.
Tonight’s action will begin with JV at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity to follow no earlier than 6:30 p.m.
Like volleyball, the KIF football champion could be decided this week when the 4-0 Kauai High Red Raiders take on the 3-2 Warriors of Kapaa on Saturday at Vidinha Stadium.
Saturday’s game against the Red Raiders will be the last regular season game for the Warriors and is a must-win if they want a shot at forcing a playoff for the KIF title.
In the two previous matchups between the teams, the Red Raiders came out victorious in both with a 6-3 win on Sept. 6 and a 7-6 win on Sept. 28.
For a playoff to happen between Kapaa and Kauai, the Warriors will not only have to beat the Red Raiders on Saturday, but the Red Raiders will also have to lose against the 0-5 Menehune of Waimea on Oct. 26 in Hanapepe.
But Kauai could end all doubt and wrap it up on Saturday with a win against the Warriors.
Saturday’s game will begin with JV at noon with the varsity to follow at 2:30 p.m.
• Tyson Agbayani, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or tagbayani@thegardenisland.com.
