FL MORRIS / Kamehameha's Les Aki, Tati Santiago, Kristal Tsukano and Logan Keala celebrated after winning a point during last night's match against Roosevelt in the Hawaii Volleyball Invitational.

Kamehameha
keeps rolling

The talk of the local girls volleyball world has been about a team that hadn't even played in a tournament until two days ago.

Kamehameha, blessed with prodigious talent and an army of depth, hasn't let down any of its legion of fans. The Warriors blazed through pool play unbeaten on Sunday in the Hawaii Volleyball Invitational.

Yesterday, Kamehameha continued its winning ways, sweeping past Roosevelt, Kaiser and Harvard-Westlake (Calif.) to reach the Gold Medal division. Led by defensive specialist Kristal Tsukano, the Warriors were in complete control all night.

"There's more of a leadership role for all of us seniors. As a team, we're coming together well with all the different talents everyone brings. I'm enjoying that," said Tsukano, who saw quite a few swings at outside hitter.

The team needs to focus on day-to-day improvement, she added.

"Until we prove we can pull through as a team, rankings don't mean anything to me," she said.

FL MORRIS / Alexis Robins of Kamehameha went for a kill against Roosevelt's Emily Maeda last night in the Hawaii Volleyball Invitational.

With the up-and-down performances of defending champion Punahou and title contender Kahuku at the Ann Kang Invitational last week, Kamehameha has surfaced as the likely No. 1 team when the first Star-Bulletin Girls Volleyball Top 10 poll of the season is released next week.

Last night, the Warriors played reserves liberally and still made relatively quick work of their foes. Kamehameha downed Roosevelt 25-21, 25-13, Kaiser 25-15, 25-15, and Harvard-Westlake 25-18, 25-17.

Harvard-Westlake finished tied for second in consolation pool A of the Ann Kang tourney, behind Word of Life and ahead of Hawaii Baptist.

"You see Kamehameha, the speed we have to work on," Harvard-Westlake coach Jess Quiroz said. "They're solid. They have no letdown, and we had some letdowns."

Quiroz was also impressed with Roosevelt, another team in Harvard-Westlake's pool.

"They played some great defense on us. They have great spirit and pursuit," he said.

Kamehameha coach Chris Blake, normally a tough man to please, was optimistic.

"It's good to look at different people and see what will fit our needs," he said, alluding to his team's depth. "It's good to have options for different scenarios."

Kamehameha had the benefit of two scrimmages last week against Kauai and El Toro, a team that swept Punahou on the opening day of the Ann Kang.

As the Hawaii Invitational enters its final two days, Blake is looking for a starting lineup.

"Nothing is set yet," he said.

After this tourney, the Warriors will play in the Kahuku Invitational, a two-day event that begins Friday.