LIHU`E—The bonding between team members of the Po`okela 16s was obvious as the girls readied themselves for a scrimmage match prior to leaving on Friday for the annual Volleyball Festival in Davis, California. Although tense in anticipation of the match,
LIHU`E—The bonding between team members of the Po`okela 16s was obvious as the
girls readied themselves for a scrimmage match prior to leaving on Friday for
the annual Volleyball Festival in Davis, California.
Although tense in
anticipation of the match, the girls laughed and kidded with each other while
waiting on the arrival of their competition.
“This is the first time ever
that the Po`okela Volleyball Club will be represented at the Volleyball
Festival,” said Richard Roberts, program director for the club that practices
at the Kaua`i High School gym.
“I’m proud to have this outstanding group of
girls coached by Chad Delanoza and Janice Magaoay representing the club and the
island of Kaua`i,” Roberts added.
At Davis along with several teams from
the Ho`oikaika Volleyball Club from Kaua`i’s westside, the girls will face a
week of stiff volleyball competition from the field of approximately 375 teams
that will be competing in their division.
“This group of girls has a great
team bond with each other, and I think we’ll do well at the festival,” noted
co-captain Kehau Regidor who is one of two players that have been competitors
at the Volleyball Festival.
Kandice Cummings, middle blocker for the team
reflects the anticipation of the young women, “I am extremely excited about
attending the Festival. It will be a great experience for myself as well as my
team mates.”
To date, the Po`okela 16-Under team has had a fantastic club
season, pulling out a victorious first place finish at the Asics Volleyball
Tournament on Oahu earlier in the year, and more recently, earning a first
place finish at the 14th Annual Ho`oikaika Volleyball Tournament which was held
in Waimea.
Po`okela finished first in the 16s Division over Oahu Volleyball
Club and Na Wahine Mauloa Volleyball Club from Oahu in the Ho`oikaika
tournament.
Coach Delanoza expects that these accomplishments combined with
the bonding between the team members should help the Po`okela girls finish at
least in the top 50.
“This team supports each other, and has a great bond.
I know they can really make it happen,” he says.
Team members include
Ashley Tanaka, Kareen Konishi, Tiana Lum-Tucker, Kehau Regidor, Tiare Toulon,
Ashley Nagaoka, Erin Garlie, Kandice Cummings, and Ashley Kawaihalau.
