SB FILE / 2006
Tati Santiago and Bekah Torres are two of Warriors' returnees. The Warriors are going for a third straight state title.
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Kamehameha no sure thing
There is no lock on the championship, according to Chris Blake.
The Kamehameha girls volleyball coach doesn't have to remind his Warriors, the two-time defending state champions, about the cliche bull's-eye on their backs. That's why, between offseason club practices and tournaments, the Warriors found themselves back at Kamehameha's weight room, pounding the iron relentlessly.
"The girls realize every year is a new year and everybody's coming to get 'em," Blake said. "They're not resting on their laurels. They're a lot more focused."
It doesn't mater that the Interscholastic League of Honolulu has three state berths, compared to two last year. A ranking by PrepNation.com as the No. 5 team in the country doesn't matter, either. Not even the Ann Kang Invitational crown, prestigious as it is, won't count when league play begins tonight.
Kamehameha has the prestige that comes with state titles. Kanani Herring, the two-time Star-Bulletin player of the year, recently returned from the World Youth Games in Mexico. Bekah Torres is a returning All-State first-team pick. The 5-foot-10 hitters are complemented by 6-foot Jordan Meredith, another hard hitter with possibly the best serve in the state.
Herring has already been recruited by UH. Torres will play at Pacific, while Meredith will be en route to Boston College.
The Warriors' depth is a big reason why they are a heavy favorite to repeat. Tati Santiago and Caitlin Andrade are capable setters, while 5-11 Alex Akana has improved after a summer of training and tournament play.
"Now she has the capability to be a dominant force at the net," Blake said.
At Iolani, setter Kapua Kamana'o has graduated, but the Raiders have middle Chelsea Hardin, who was formidable last year as a sophomore. Also back is Lauren Minkel, who returns from a knee injury. Outside hitter Leinani Keanini gives coach Jenic Tumaneng another loaded weapon.
The Raiders lost two-time All-State defensive specialist Kelly Pang to a knee injury in the offseason.
Punahou saw Liz Kaaihue and Larissa Nordyke graduate and leave for D-I universities, but the Buffanblu will stay tough. Coach Jim Iams has a talented corps of ballhandlers, including defensive specialist Sydney Yogi.
Anu Keanini, sister of Iolani's Leinani Keanini, figures to contribute in a big way for Punahou. Setter Piihana Kea was superb as a freshman starter last season and will be an anchor for a reloaded squad.
"She has a year under her belt, does a lot of good things," Blake said of Kea, who is the younger sister of All-State setter Kealohilani Kea of Kamehameha, who graduated. "She distributes the ball well like her sister, which is good for them, bad for us."
Maryknoll, Mid-Pacific, Sacred Hearts and Saint Francis round out the Division I list for the ILH, which is using an enrollment-based criteria to determine classification for the first time.
Maryknoll has a new coach, Lee Lam.
"They're playing really good defense," Blake noted.
The league will continue its unique format, pitting all teams in a single round robin, then dividing them off according to preset classification. That's why a Division II power like Word of Life will face D-I contender Iolani today.
Hawaii Baptist, a perennial bridesmaid in Division I, has finally moved down to D-II, thanks to the new criteria. There, the Eagles figure to be in the running for the league title and a state crown. HBA and Word of Life, powered by Chanteal Satele, are the co-favorites.
"The coaching staff is tough. They'll be hungry after what happened last year," Blake said, alluding to Word of Life's fall in the playoffs. The Firebrands lost to Sacred Hearts in the second round, and then again in the playoffs.
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SB FILE / 2006
Kaleinani Kabalis is one of Moanalua's go-to players.
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OIA adds new color to volleyball
Coaches are singing the blues this year, but they're smiling.
The Oahu Interscholastic Association's athletic directors approved a proposal for a new division, the Blue, that will allow every program to carry an extra team apart from varsity and junior varsity play.
The Blue teams are comprised of players from freshmen to seniors, and every program is using the added team in its own way.
At Moanalua, longtime coach Tommy Lake likes the flexibility that the new Blue team has to offer. He moved some of his reserves off the varsity and over to the Blue team. This will give them ample playing time as opposed to little or none. Blue players are permitted one move off the team to the JV or varsity during the season.
"Part of it is gender equity, to get more girls involved with sports. More participation," Lake said.
The addition of a Blue division came after the HHSAA approved a season change for boys volleyball from fall to spring. The OIA studied the possibilities and found that girls volleyball has some of the highest turnouts -- and highest rate of cut players in tryouts.
Moanalua, as one of the top teams in the OIA, is well-refined already. So are defending champion Roosevelt and perennial powerhouse Kahuku. While Roosevelt won the league title, Moanalua peaked at states and gave eventual state champ Kamehameha its toughest challenge in the semifinals.
Leading Moanalua is power-hitting, back row-diving Kaleinani Kabalis.
"She's on another level," Kamehameha coach Chris Blake said after seeing Moanalua at the Ann Kang Invitational recently. A lot depends on how Tommy uses her. She's such a dynamic hitter."
Moanalua relied on freshman setter Carsen Mata, who learned her trade on the job. At the state tourney, Na Menehune turned to versatile Hoku Dela Cruz, who delivered a sterling performance at setter. Lake plans to use Mata at the position.
"She has good leadership skills, very calm, a good head on her shoulders. I have a lot of confidence that she'll do a good job for us," he said.
They lost hard-hitting Melanie Manutai and current San Jose State player Brianna Amian to graduation, but the remaining talent is solid. Sarah Robinson has played well since moving from middle to hitter. Junior Trish Taifane, at 5-foot-11, is playing well off the bench.
Lake believes his team is in a dead heat with Roosevelt. The Rough Riders defeated Moanalua in preseason action recently.
Emily Maeda, one of the heroes in Roosevelt's title march last season, is one of them. So are Jacey Tagavilla and Meleana Yamashiro. The Rough Riders will miss setter Hoku Oleole and Kahea Pupuhi.
Kahuku, with first-year coach Uila Vendiola, is stocked with talent at the net. Leilani Tafuna returns at outside hitter, and Nile Te'o, a junior, is a promising hitter, as well. Tialei Wesley, a 6-2 junior, has been very impressive in preseason tournaments.
Kalani lost a ton of key players, but is expected to make a run for the playoffs. So is Mililani, which gained two transfers in Lani Elliazar and Candace Soares.