Kapaa High School’s varsity boys volleyball team advanced to the championship game of the New City Nissan Boys Volleyball State Championships–Division II state tournament.
The No. 1 seeded Warriors, of the Kauai Interscholastic Federation, defeated Pearl City, of the Oahu Interscholastic Association, in straight sets in the semifinals Friday afternoon at Saint Francis School in Honolulu — 25-19, 26-24 and 25-14.
“The boys came in from the get-go and had a fast start, a quick start,” said Kapaa head coach Kapule Kaona in a phone interview Friday. “They were fired up. There was no nerves. That’s just the difference between last night’s game and tonight’s game.”
Kapaa goes on to play either No. 2 Saint Francis of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu or No. 3 Molokai of the Maui Interscholastic League in the Division II title game today at 5 p.m. at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu.
The result of the Saint Francis-Molokai match was not available by press time.
“We’re excited for the opportunity. I think it’s just credit to our hard work the boys put in all season long, as well as the coaching staff. And the boys buying into the process and what we’re doing from the get-go,” Kaona said. “I think it’s a testament to our hard work all season.”
Kapaa’s Kiran Costa led the team offensively Friday with 15 kills. Ali’i Brown and Justin Faidley each had five kills. Rusdan-Rocket Ahuna had 31 assists.
Pearl City’s Jere Perfanos-Taamu had 13 kills, and Zion Tupuola-Fetul had nine kills. Cameron Reimer had 29 assists.
Kapaa reached the semifinals after defeating University Laboratory School of the ILH in the quarterfinals Thursday at Saint Francis School, 3-2.
The Warriors came from behind after losing the first two sets on Thursday — 19-25, 20-25, 25-19, 25-19, 15-8.
Information from Hawaii High School Athletic Association.
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
