Kauai routs Island School 3-0

LIHUE — The Red Raiders (3-1 KIF) ended Friday’s contest still in contention to win the Kauai Interscholastic Federation first round.

Kauai High School’s varsity girls volleyball team defeated Island School at home 3-0, winning by scores of 25-7, 25-6, 25-16.

“Our serves were kind of not there, but our passing got better,” said Kauai senior libero Tahra Kaui. “Just got to work together as a team … Just encourage the girls. That’s about it.”

Though winning Friday night tempered the sting of Tuesday’s loss against Kapaa, Red Raiders head coach Dorene Matias said the team still isn’t where she expects them to be.

“They can do so much more better,” she said. “(I tried to) make sure the mistakes we’re trying to correct aren’t continuing … At the same time, it still was happening.

“Our next two games are going to be crucial. It’s not about assessing them anymore … We just practice harder,” Matias added.

Though Island School (0-4 KIF) has yet to get a win under its belt, head coach Brad Sato said his team has steadily gotten better since the season opener.

“It’s a good sign that we make improvements, but every other team is making the same improvements,” Sato said. “We have to just catch up to them … As long as they’re improving, we have the potential to do well.”

Voyagers senior outside hitter Autumn Warnock said the team is young and its inexperience has shown so far this season.

“We only have two seniors and two juniors,” she said. “Every single game, everyone’s working harder and doing something they’ve never done before. I think gradually we’re getting there.”

Earlier in the evening, Kauai’s junior varsity squad also beat Island School 3-0 by scores of 25-3, 25-20, 25-14.

Kauai will host Waimea (1-3 KIF) and Island School will travel to Kapaa (4-0 KIF) on Tuesday. JV games begin 5 p.m. and the varsity will follow.

“Waimea is not a pushover,” Matias said. “I got to teach my girls to keep momentum, keep tempo and be very hungry for the game, for the win.”