Seariders home in on 2 wins

Just 24 hours after struggling past Leilehua on the road, No. 5 Waianae rose to the challenge and swept 10th-ranked Pearl City and Aiea last night to clinch at least a tie for the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red West regular-season title.

With two matches left, Waianae (10-0) remains ahead of Mililani (6-2) and is assured of at least second place. The top two teams in the West earn first-round byes in the playoffs.

"These guys bring what they have to bring," Waianae coach Fulton Dela Cruz said. "It's a lot of fun when all the cylinders are running. It's senior night, but it's the underclassmen, too. The whole team."

A robust crowd at the Seariders' gym saw the home team zap the Chargers 25-15, 25-20 in the opening match of a tripleheader.

Pearl City (5-3) had a chance to create traffic atop the Red West, but Waianae had too much precision and balance. Setters Aaron Robinson (15 assists) and Desmond Dela Cruz (11 assists) were nearly flawless.

"We're just trying to pick up our program and just finish strong," said Robinson, a fourth-year starter.

Aaron Fogatu had 10 kills with just two hitting errors and one block, and Anthony Robinson racked up eight kills and two service aces for the Seariders. Marcus Fonoti added three kills and two aces, all in the second game.

"Coach always says to keep focused. Every day, he reminds us not to get big-headed," Anthony Robinson said. "We just want to represent the Leeward side."

Pearl City recorded more hitting errors (six) than kills (four) in the first game, while Fogatu and Anthony Robinson anchored the outside attack. Robinson, a 6-foot junior, had four kills and two aces to help Waianae break open a close game with a 10-2 run. After a block by Robinson, Waianae had a comfortable 21-11 lead.

The Chargers settled down and had just two hitting errors in the second game, and took advantage of six service errors by Waianae to pull within 21-20. However, Robinson caught fire and delivered consecutive kills, including one on a cross-court set from brother Aaron.

Fonoti, a 5-6 sophomore, followed with his final kill as the Seariders closed with a 4-0 run to end the match.

"We kind of did better this time, but we gotta get tighter on defense," Chargers coach Bryson Martin said. "Waianae makes the best of every ball. That's what we have to do. Sometimes you don't get the perfect set."

Pearl City 2, Aiea 0

Donovan Nieves hammered six kills and two aces to lead the Chargers in a 25-15, 25-14 win. Karlo Rarangol added four kills and Randen Cabato tallied 21 assists.

Keli'i Aleaga led Aiea (2-6) with seven kills.

Waianae 2, Aiea 0

Aaron Robinson had six kills and 12 assists, and Dela Cruz added five kills, 10 assists and two aces in the Seariders' 25-13, 25-18 victory. Fonoti had six kills and Fogatu added five. Mickey Molina had three of Waianae's nine aces.

Colin Honeker had four kills and a block for Aiea.