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Raiders’ key losses open up
ILH boys competition

With last year's state championship now merely history, the Iolani Raiders boys' volleyball team will turn to a young nucleus to offset the loss of three all-state first-teamers as they look to repeat in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.

Gone is Star-Bulletin player of the year Todd Blankenship, along with Michael Contee and Sean Carney. But according to coach Luis Ramirez, the Raiders have many young guns to fill the voids.

"These kids are overachievers and are very focused and goal-oriented," Ramirez said. "We've focused on not only winning it all, but building a good program and having respect for our program in having continuity whether we win the whole thing or not."

That continuity begins with junior Kawika Shoji and senior Kyle Pape.

"Kawika is a natural leader, and even as a sophomore last year, he took up the leadership role on our team," Ramirez said. "He's the best all-around player in the state and Kyle's in the top three outside hitters in the state."

The Raiders will also turn to defensive specialist B.J. Takushi, Barry Kang, Ethan Chang, and 6-foot-4 freshmen Brad Lawson to add depth.

"We've had some injuries during preseason, and it has given some guys more playing time, and (Lawson) has taken advantage of that and done well for us," Ramirez said.

But with the ILH becoming more balanced, the Raiders are just one of many teams looking at winning the league.

Kamehameha, which won state titles in 2002 and 2003, has a similar problem as the Raiders. The Warriors will need to overcome the loses of setter Ainoa Miyashiro and outside hitter Adam Tuifagu if they want to compete for a state title.

"Losing guys is always something you deal with every year, but it's more stepping up and accepting new responsibilities that we have to focus on," Kamehameha coach Pono Ma'a said.

"Don't let that fool you," Punahou head coach Peter Balding says. "They might have lost some guys, but the guys on the court this year are no slouches, and their ball control could be better this year than last."

However, it will be a different year for the Warriors, as they plan to spread the ball around instead of focusing on one or two go-to guys to handle the bulk of the offensive load.

"We'll have to win by committee," Ma'a said. "We'll move the ball around and hope people have good nights and when they do, they'll get more sets."

Jordan Inafuku will be the main guy anchoring the defense as the Warriors look to Ronson Olaso, Ernie Vidinha and Kory Matsukado to lead the offense.

"They might have lost a lot," Balding said. "But they're not decimated, they're reloading."

One team not reloading, but simply getting older, is Balding's Buffanblu team, which figures to play a big part in determining the eventual league champion.

"We're a year older, and just about every one of our guys had a really good offseason in the summer," Balding said.

The combination of setter Riley McKibbin and outside hitter Spencer McLachlin could be as fearsome as any duo in the league.

"They're the team to beat," Ma'a said.

Along with McLachlin and McKibbin, junior middles in Matt Brown and Kealii Frank and freshman defensive specialist Erik Shoji will be vital to the Buffanblu's success.

"Shoji will make a significant contribution to our team this year as a freshman," Balding said. "Both of our middles were pretty young last year, but have matured a lot in the offseason."

With the evolution of club volleyball, which allows kids to play year-round, the ILH is becoming more balanced every year. Maryknoll, Damien and University could be surprises this year.

"University High coach (Joshua Suapa'a) has done an unbelievable job with that team," Balding said. "I think without a doubt he should be considered as the coach of the year. What he has done in 12 months with that team is remarkable."

"Maryknoll's Riley Tang is going to be one of the best players in the league," Ramirez said. "If you don't focus against these guys, they can take you."

The ILH season begins tomorrow with a big showdown as Kamehameha and Punahou open the season against one another.

"It's a scheduling thing I don't necessarily agree with, but we can't control that," Ma'a said. "We've just got to get ready and play the best we can no matter who we are facing."

Maryknoll takes on Mid-Pacific in the other opening-night match. The Raiders open their defense of their state championship Saturday at home against Lanakila Baptist.