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Tuesday, September 19, 2000

St. Francis to
face Punahou without
its starting setter

Troubadours' Deeann Nahale,
hurt in a tug of war, will miss clash
between volleyball powers

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By Tim Crouse
Special to the Star-Bulletin

Besides the challenge of facing perennial power Punahou tonight, the St. Francis girls' volleyball team has to overcome the loss of a senior starter to injury.

The Troubadours (6-0) and Buffanblu (7-0) square off at Sacred Hearts at 6:30 p.m. in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu battle for first place.

St. Francis setter Deeann Nahale was lost for the season during a non-volleyball accident last week.

The school had a sports day, and during a game of tug of war, the rope broke, and Nahale fell and broke a finger.

Senior Anela Vendiola takes her spot in the lineup. Vendiola went to the state tournament as a member of Aiea's team last year.

First-year St. Francis coach Sean Maskell said his main concern the past couple days has been getting Vendiola enough practice so that she's ready to play tonight.

"The girls are in good spirits," Maskell said. "It's another challenge, another obstacle for us to overcome."

St. Francis swept defending state champion Kamehameha last week. The Troubadours beat the Warriors but lost to the Buffanblu in preseason.

Diana McKibbin's Punahou squad is also on a roll. "We're making progress day to day," McKibbin said. "Every day we get a little better."

Senior setter Milia Macfarlane has run the Buffanblu attack very efficiently.

"She's the best I've seen this year," Maskell said.

McKibbin said her team is a little tired from playing four matches last week.