LIHU‘E — Last year’s two top teams were at it again this year at the Kaua‘i Challenge Volleyball Invitational, but this time, host Kaua‘i wasn’t able to duplicate its championship performance of last year, as Roosevelt was able to topple
LIHU‘E — Last year’s two top teams were at it again this year at the Kaua‘i Challenge Volleyball Invitational, but this time, host Kaua‘i wasn’t able to duplicate its championship performance of last year, as Roosevelt was able to topple the Red Raiders and take home the championship medals, 24-26, 25-14, 15-10.
Kehau Judd, the steady Red Raider hitter came out of the gates with two straight kills to put her team up early in the first set.
Teammates Tina Moger and Jenna Gampon also got into the action early with a kill a piece, which put Kaua‘i up 8-4.
After trading blows, all the way up to a 24-24 tie, a key Ligaya Malones ace gave the Red Raiders the upper hand and the eventual first set win, 26-24.
Roosevelt made quick work of Kaua‘i in the second set, as the Red Raiders made costly mistakes to give the Rough Riders a 21-12 advantage and a 25-14 second set win.
Set number three mirrored the first set with both teams going back and forth all the way up until Roosevelt was able to take an 11-9 lead.
Kaua‘i tried to scratch back, but Roosevelt played too tough and was able to keep its lead, en route to a 15-10 championship victory. Lots of familiar faces passed through Kaua‘i Gym, catching glimpses of the Kaua‘i Challenge, like Mayor Bryan Baptiste, who was watching his daughter play for the Kapa‘a Warriors, Kaua‘i athletic director, Charlene Quinones, who tried to keep cool despite the heated gym.
Futi Tavana and the Kaua‘i High School boys volleyball team, who were supporting the girls’ squad, Leslie Koga (remember her? Kaua‘i class of ‘98), who just landed a job at her alma mater (congrats, Les!), Manny Henriques, who was in charge of putting together a presentation of the tournament at the awards banquet last night, Waimea boys v-ball coach Bobby Kamakele, who wants everyone to come out and watch the Waimea Invitational boys volleyball tournament, which should be just as good as the girls’ tourney. Ross Shimabukuro (Shima), who enjoys good KIF action and always has good snacks right by his side, Keith Burgess (Kaua‘i trainer), who was luckily watching most of the time instead of tending to injuries. Sandra Muragin (Auika’s mom), who I finally got to meet after trading emails, and Beau Fabro (Erin’s dad), who’s just as excited about the upcoming volleyball season as I am. For more results of the Kaua‘i Challenge Volleyball Invitational, check out the scoreboard.
