StarBulletin.com

Governors adjust, outlast Chargers


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POSTED: Wednesday, October 14, 2009

The Farrington Governors scouted well, but to get past Pearl City, some mid-match adjusting was a must.

The Governors stopped trying to hit over Pearl City's effective block and went down the line to rally for a 21-25, 25-16, 19-25, 25-22, 15-12 win last night in the second round of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference volleyball playoffs.

Fenumiai Tofilau had 15 kills, Janell Nance had 11 and Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo added 10 for Farrington (7-7), which advanced into today's semifinal round of the double-elimination tournament. The Govs will play Moanalua at 5 p.m. at McKinley.

Pearl City's title hopes are still alive, but the Chargers (9-4) will have to run the table.

“;We have a chance,”; coach Stephanie Shigemasa said. “;Now our goal is to take it one match at a time. Emotionally and mentally, we have to bounce back tomorrow.”;

Farrington scouted Pearl City's match with Aiea recently, but the Chargers still hit well enough to take a 2-1 lead last night. Tonisha Buford finished with 20 kills to lead Pearl City.

With Sina Mauga and Keani Passi providing a strong block for the Chargers, the Govs tweaked their game plan.

“;Since they took away the angle, our coaches said to hit the line and deep corners,”; outside hitter Tatupu-Leopoldo said.

That change led to just two hitting errors in the second set, three in the third and four in the fourth for the Govs — who had eight errors in the first game. The final set had four lead changes, including an ace by Brandy Vergado-Duclayan for a 10—9 Govs' lead.

Buford's kill tied the game at 10, but Farrington got an ace from Tatupu-Leopoldo, a block by Nance and a kill by Desiree Kleman during a 4-0 mini-run. A serving error at match point by the Chargers ended the match.

Kleman and Fraustina Sagapolu added six kills each for the Govs, who also got 43 assists from Vergado-Duclayan.

Passi added 11 kills, Nicole Boyer tallied nine and Tabytha Inong had seven for Pearl City. Setter Marie Fujii had 45 assists and four kills.

Pearl City hit .239 (20 errors) and Farrington hit .205 (19 errors).

Moanalua 3, Roosevelt 0

Gabby Matautia pounded 14 kills and sophomore Erin Perez added 10 as Na Menehune fought off the Rough Riders 25-22, 26-24, 25-10 in the late match. Carsen Mata added four kills and 19 assists, and Jordan Tumaneng had nine assists.

Kawai Oleole led Roosevelt (4-10) with 11 kills. Taylor Pupuhi added eight, and Samantha Sakata tallied 12 assists.

Roosevelt will play Pearl City today at 5 p.m. in an elimination match at Radford.