Kahuku opens water polo states with a shutout
By Edward Jackson
Special to the Star-Bulletin
"Electrifying" was the word of the day spoken among fans watching the Local Motion Hawaii High School Athletic Association girls water polo state championships yesterday at Central Oahu Regional Park. All four matches featured exciting team and individual performances, highlighted by Kahuku's 10-0 shutout of Leilehua.
Kahuku showcased its standout offensive power and defensive strength in rolling over Leilehua. The Red Raiders fired the ball into the net five times in the first quarter then tallied three goals in the second period for an 8-0 halftime advantage. Over the next two quarters, Kahuku recorded two additional goals for the final score.
HHSAA STATE WATER POLO
Varsity girls
At Central Oahu Regional Park
First round
Lahainaluna 9, Kapolei 8
Hawaii Prep 5, Roosevelt 4
Kahuku 10, Leilehua 0
Iolani 17, Kamehameha-Hawaii 7
Goal scorers--Lah: Michelle Fuller 3, Alana Hendrickson 2, Moanalani Tuipulotu 2, Hailey Gill 2. Kapo: Nicole Hagi 3, Ashlie Sales-Selem 3, Rocio Sanchez, Desiree Mazzone. HPA: Alex Eason 3, Kim Kopra, Malia Vitousek. Roos: Marissa Young 4. Kah: Taniya Sifton 3, Rosie Jaffurs 2, Minnie Whitford 2, Noe Wicker, Kelsey Wardle, Rebecca Fonoimoana. Iol: Aja Kusao 6, Dara Tawarahara 3, Ashley Nickle 3, Kellie Young 2, Lea Masatsugu 2, Jade Look. KSH: Kanoe Lyons 3, Malia Cann 2, Laura Kupahu, Angel Mahaulu.
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"This was a good tune-up for us," Kahuku coach Aukai Ferguson said. "Leilehua has an excellent program. Although we beat them twice already earlier during the season, they provided good competition today. We needed this type of match to help us stay competitive."
Team captain Rebecca Fonoimoana says her team will focus on wanting to play better despite the dominant effort against Leilehua.
"We know this is a tough tournament. The best of the best come here. And we have to stay mentally prepared for all challenges," said Fonoimoana, who led the team with five steals in addition to scoring two goals.
The win ensures Kahuku (16-0) a slot in today's 3:45 p.m. semifinal game against Hawaii Prep, while Leilehua faces Roosevelt in today's 2:30 p.m. consolation game.
The Red Raiders, the No. 2 seed in the tournament, were led by Taniya Sifton (three goals), Rosie Jaffurs (two goals) and Minnie Whitford (two goals).
Iolani 17, Kamehameha-Hawaii 7
Iolani got off to a fast start in its 17-7 win over Kamehameha-Hawaii. Aja Kusao led the Interscholastic League of Honolulu champions in scoring with six goals, followed by Ashley Nickie and Dara Tawarahara with three goals a piece.
The No.1 seed had an easy time jumping out to the lead, then steadily added points over the first two periods for a 10-3 halftime advantage. Iolani netted four more goals in the third quarter to lead 14-5.
Iolani plays Lahainaluna in today's 5:00 p.m. semifinal and Kamehameha-Hawaii faces Kapolei in today's 1:15 p.m. consolation game.
"We played a good game, but no doubt about it we will be going against better teams as the tournament progresses," said Iolani coach Linda Look.
"Our next opponent (Lahainaluna) has excellent swimmers and an excellent offensive game. We will have to be on top of our game to do well," added Look. "We have to remain focused and understand that any team is capable of winning."
Lahainaluna 9, Kapolei 8
Using a balanced scoring attack, Maui Interscholastic League champions Lahainaluna narrowly beat Oahu Interscholastic Association runner-up Kapolei 9-8 in the first game of the tourney. The win advances them to today's semifinal match at 5:00 p.m. against Iolani.
The victors got three goals from Michelle Fuller, whose supporting cast included Moana Tuipulota, Alana Hendrickson and Hailey Gill with two goals apiece.
In the second half, Kapolei wasted little time jumping ahead with back-to-back goals by Nicole Hagi and Desiree Mazzone to take a 5-3 advantage. But Lahainaluna came right with a back-to-back scoring set of its own, getting goals from Tuipulotu and Hendrickson to tie the match at 5-5 by the end of the third quarter.
Lahainaluna kept its offense in high gear in the final quarter, getting four goals to take control of the match. The Hurricanes tried to mount a late comeback but fell short.
"I got a good group of sophomores and freshmen coming back," said Kapolei coach Derek Lee. "We're looking forward to having a shot at the state title next season." Kapolei (12-4) will play in the consolation game today at 1:15 p.m. against Kamehameha-Hawaii.
Hawaii Prep 5, Roosevelt 4
In an extremely close match, Hawaii Prep prevailed over Roosevelt 5-4 after scoring on a goal by Malia Vitousek with 36 seconds remaining to help the Big Island Interscholastic Federation representative advance into a semifinal game against Kahuku today at 3:45 p.m.
"I really, really, really wanted us to get that goal," emphasized Vitousek. "We got off to a slow start, but our team banded together at the end to get the win."
The match was close throughout, as Roosevelt stayed within a point of Hawaii Prep in each of the quarters. With 4:55 left, the Rough Riders managed to tie the score when Marissa Young threw in a goal to deadlock the match at 4-4.
Over the final minutes, the teams battled over possessionwith defensive stops. With time running out, Hawaii Prep was able to get the ball to Vitousek close to the net, where she scored the winning goal.
"My teammates played patiently on that play. We worked the ball and I just happen to be in a good spot," said Vitousek.
Roosevelt goes against Leilehua in today's 2:30 p.m. consolation game. The Rough Riders were led in scoring by Young, who had all four goals.