PUHI — Kaua‘i High leads the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation boys volleyball with a 2-0 record following two consecutive nights of play that ended Saturday night.
“The boys want to get in one more night of play before the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association suspension of games takes effect Monday,” said Island School Athletic Director Jerry Jona Friday night during the service exchanges taking place on the floor of the Wilcox Gymnasium at Island School.
“Kapa‘a will visit Kaua‘i High School Saturday night, and Waimea wants to come to play us.”
That set up a scramble for facilities where Waimea could play the Voyagers, eventually settling on the Kaua‘i High School gym with the Menehune games starting Saturday afternoon ahead of the Raiders’ matches during the evening and night.
With the future of KIF sports clouded in the dynamic changing conditions in the face of novel coronavirus, the home of the Raiders was decorated in colors of all member KIF schools for what might have been the final games for this year.
During the impromptu series set up ahead of the impending sports suspension, Kaua‘i with new head coach Merrill Carvalho led the two days with wins over Island School Friday night, and Kapa‘a, which opened with a strong showing Tuesday night over Island School and continued with a 2-2 tie against Waimea Friday night.
The effort was led by the strong offensive showing by hitters Keane Tibon, Samuel “Kolu” Asano, Kysen “Keawe” Pagongao and Rence Soriano.
The Warriors dropped their final meeting against Kaua‘i, 25-15, 25-15 and 27-25 Saturday night.
Developing potential for future contests finished on the floor of the Raiderdome for the Voyagers, who ended the night looking for their first win following a late start on its program.
“Dylan Date was just getting into the rhythm,” Jona said after adjourning from the Saturday matches to join the signing by Voyager Ashley Meecham to the Academy of Art to play volleyball.
Date got his medical clearance in time for the Friday-night encounter, and despite his not being at 100%, kept the Voyagers within striking distance of the Raiders.
“He couldn’t even practice 100%,” said Dylan’s father, Daryl Date, Friday night. “He just got his clearance to play and is still not up to what he can do.”
Effective Monday, the KIF joins the HHSAA suspension of games.
Friday results
Junior varsity
Kapa‘a defeated Waimea, 25-6, 25-21, 25-18;
Kaua‘i defeated Island School, 25-19, 25-23, 25-22;
Varsity
Kapa‘a ties Waimea, 2-2 (18-25, 20-25, 25-13, 25-15);
Kaua‘i defeated Island School, 25-14, 25-18, 25-20;
Saturday results
Junior varsity
Waimea defeated Island School, 25-21, 25-15, 25-21;
Kaua‘i defeated Kapa‘a, 26-25, 25-19, 27-25;
Varsity
Waimea defeated Island School, 26-25, 25-19, 25-21;
Kaua‘i defeated Kapa‘a, 25-15, 25-15, 27-25.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
