Sunday, September 9, 2001
[ PREP VOLLEYBALL ]
THE KAMEHAMEHA boys volleyball team avenged its loss to Punahou in last year's state championship game with a 15-9, 15-5 victory yesterday at the Hemmeter Fieldhouse. Warriors get revenge
against BuffanbluBy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comAnd while Kamehameha claimed the early lead in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu race, the Warriors expect to face a different Punahou squad when the teams meet again later this season.
"It's early for them and it's early for us, so it's just kind of a measuring stick," said Kamehameha coach Pono Maa. "We're by no means taking this like it's a huge win for us. We're happy, but we still have some room for improvement, and they're going to be a whole different team across the net next time."
The Warriors improved to 3-0 in the ILH. Punahou, which has won the last seven state championships, fell to 2-1.
Ricky Estrada led the Warriors with eight kills. Isaac Kneubuhl added six kills and three aces. David Ansdell paced Punahou with seven kills.
Kamehameha kept the Buffanblu off balance with tough serving that, combined with some shaky passing, prevented Punahou from establishing any offensive rhythm. But Maa expects Punahou to iron out its problems.
"I think we out-ballhandled them," Maa said. "They had a lot of passing problems. ... Some of it has to do with tough serving and some it has to do with where we are in the season."
The Punahou girls team scored a 15-7, 15-9 win over Kamehameha in the second game of the doubleheader.
Michelle Look, an all-state selection last season, led the defending state champion Buffanblu with nine kills. Puna Richardson added eight kills and two aces. Aneli Otineru chipped in with six kills and two aces. The Warriors were led by Anuhea Friel's four kills.
"We have a lot of new faces," said Punahou coach John McDermott. "We're trying to get to know each other because we have so many new faces, so it is a step in the right direction."
Punahou, which defeated Maryknoll in its season opener Friday night, improved to 2-0, while Kamehameha fell to 0-1.
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