PUHI — The Red Raiders varsity boys volleyball team defeated the Voyagers in straight sets Friday at Island School, 25-17, 25-14 and 25-9. “I think the boys came out and were very serious. They realized they needed to maintain a
PUHI — The Red Raiders varsity boys volleyball team defeated the Voyagers in straight sets Friday at Island School, 25-17, 25-14 and 25-9.
“I think the boys came out and were very serious. They realized they needed to maintain a level of play,” said Kauai High co-head coach Lorna Basquez. “They did that. That’s all we asked of them tonight.”
Junior setter Braeden Armstrong got the game-winning kill in the final frame to seal the road win for Kauai High (3-1 KIF) and help the team stay in the hunt for the Kauai Interscholastic Federation season’s first round. He had three kills in the game.
“We have to adjust to their hitters. That’s been an area of need for us,” Basquez said about staying in contention for the first round. “When they run plays, we have to do better stopping that.”
Red Raiders senior outside hitter Kalawaia Judd said staying focused and maintaining high intensity boded well for him and his teammates. Judd added the team’s passing has improved a lot since the preseason.
“We’ve improved on the passing in the last couple of games. I think that just comes with repetition,” he said. “At the beginning of the year, in the preseason, we could barely pass. But now that we’ve picked it up, we’re looking pretty good.”
Island School senior outside hitter Micah Kimi said improving ball control is important in order for the team to get in the win column.
“I think we definitely could have done a lot better. We made a few mistakes that we need to work at. But definitely next time, I think we’ll come out swinging,” Kimi said. “It’s mostly ball control and our passing. That’s pretty much what we need to improve on — our passing and being a little more aggressive.”
Judd had seven kills, three aces and a block for Kauai. Senior middle Lii Colipano had eight kills and two aces. Senior middle Tyler Fernandez had three kills, two aces and a block.
Kimi got three kills and an ace for Island School. Sophomore setter Andres Elzaudria had three kills and a block.
The Red Raiders junior varsity team won its match against the JV Voyagers, 2-1. Island School won the first set, 25-13. Kauai won the following two sets, 25-18 and 25-16.
Kauai will play at Waimea and Island School (0-4 KIF) will play at Kapaa on Tuesday. The JV matches will begin at 5 p.m. and the varsity will follow.
