Hawaii Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Monday, November 22, 1999

BYUH, Kamehameha
win volleyball titles

All-Tournament selections Vanessa Valansi and Arlete Silva combined for 36 kills as second-ranked Brigham Young-Hawaii turned back a strong challenge from Cal State-Bakersfield to win a spot in the NCAA Division II women's national volleyball quarterfinal tournament Saturday night.

The Seasiders (27-2) defeated the Roadrunners (22-5), 16-14, 18-16, 15-5 at Cannon Activities Center. The victory puts BYU-Hawaii into the Elite Eight Dec. 3-5 at Battle Creek, Mich.

It was the 62nd consecutive home victory for the Seasiders, who have won eight national titles under coach Wilfred Navalta since 1986. The last time BYU-Hawaii lost at home was to Cal State-Bakersfield in September of 1994.

Valansi finished with 22 kills and 12 digs while Silva added 14 kills. Also named to the all-tournament team were Seasider setter Juliana Lima and CSU-Bakersfield's Amy Wade, Lisa Wilson and Megan McMillan.

Kamehameha girls claim third volleyball crown

The Kamehameha girls volleyball team gave coach Dan Kitashima the perfect retirement present Saturday night, capping a second undefeated season with a 15-5, 15-7 victory over Punahou in the Nissan state tournament final at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.

It was the Warriors' third consecutive state championship and 12th overall. Kitashima finishes his 12-year coaching career with a 243-20 record, eight ILH titles and seven state titles.

Kamehameha, ranked No. 1 in the country by one poll, ended the season 35-0 overall. The Warriors have gone 121-1 the past three years, and have not lost since September of 1997.

In the third-place match, Hilo defeated King Kekaulike, 15-5, 12-15, 15-11.

Ward wins AAU lift title, inducted in Hall of Fame

Keith Ward of Waimanalo won his sixth world title in last week's AAU World Bench Press Championships in Vista, Calif.

Ward set a world record in his age division. He was also inducted into the AAU Powerlifting Hall of Fame for his contribution to the youth of Hawaii and his own accomplishments.

Four of the Hawaii youth contingent also won titles with record-setting performances. Winning their respective divisions were Kyle McMahon, 9, Thomas England, 10, and Terry Hladky, 11, all of Waimanalo, and Kaneohe's Conrad Pratt, 11.

Monarchs good sports

Damien won the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Football Sportsmanship Award this season.

Game officials rate the players, coaches, spectators and band members of each team after each game.

At the end of the season, the team with the highest number of ratings points is presented with a koa trophy.