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Wednesday, September 27, 2000

Third game a charm
for Moanalua girls

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By Tim Crouse
Special to the Star-Bulletin

The Moanalua girls' volleyball players say they don't like rally scoring, but for the second time in three days the Menehunes pulled out a match in the third game.

Host Moanalua edged Kaimuki last night, 11-15, 15-10, 15-13, in an Oahu Interscholastic Association match to remain one-half game behind McKinley for second place in the East Division.

The Menehunes beat McKinley in three games last Thursday, imprinting the only blemish on the Tigers' record.

Farrington also survived a three-setter last night with Roosevelt to remain atop the East at 5-0.

"Rally scoring is a lot of pressure," Moanalua senior setter Jennifer Narimatsu said. "Every mistake you make is a point for them so you have to cut down on your errors."

Three key plays down the stretch made the difference for Moanalua in the decisive third game.

With the Menehunes leading 12-9, senior outside hitter Kahala Kabalis tipped the ball over the Kaimuki block and in front of the Bulldogs' back row.

The Bulldogs rallied to tie the game at 13, and then Moanalua senior middle Naomi Edgell took matters into her own hands.

Edgell slammed a kill off the block to get to match point.

On the final point, Narimatsu sent a pass toward Edgell. When the Kaimuki front line went up for the block, Edgell tipped the ball over their outstretched hands for her 12th -- and softest -- kill of the night. Kabalis finished with eight kills and sophomore Patti Hardimon added six more.

"We lost to them like this last year and we didn't want it to happen again," Narimatsu said.

After Kaimuki won the first game, the two teams battled evenly in the second. The largest lead for either team was three points before the Menehunes finally broke away with a six-point burst, to take a 14-9 lead.

The final game was tight throughout. Moanalua held the lead most of the game, but Kaimuki was able to stay within a couple points.

Sophomore hitter Chastitey Morn led Kaimuki with 12 kills.

"The team matured tonight," Moanalua coach Sheri Sagayaga said. "They played with more team unity.

"Our goal is to make the OIA playoffs and do our best (then). But I told the girls that self-satisfaction is the key."