Wednesday, November 7, 2001
[ PREP VOLLEYBALL ]
Much of the buzz surrounding this week's boys volleyball state tournament isn't focused on who is there, but rather on who isn't. Taking Punahou’s place
By Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comWhen the Nissan Boys State Volleyball Championship opens tomorrow, Punahou -- winner of the last seven state titles and 19 of the last 21 -- will not be among the 12 teams competing for the state crown for the first time since 1979.
But for those who have qualified, the Buffanblu's absence is secondary to the task of claiming the crown.
"It's historic that they're not there, but our focus all year has been pretty much on us," Kamehameha coach Pono Maa said. "So it makes no difference once the tournament actually gets under way. I think before the tournament there's a lot of talking. But once the tournament starts, whoever's there, you just have to go."
The tournament opens tomorrow with pool play matches at Kamehameha's Kekuhaupio Gym and McKinley High School gym.
League champions Kamehameha (Interscholastic League of Honolulu), Pearl City (Oahu Interscholastic Association), Kealakehe (Big Island Interscholastic Federation) and Maui (Maui Interscholastic League) are the top seeds.
Kamehameha will play at home and heads Pool A. The Warriors are joined by BIIF runner-up Waiakea and OIA third-seed Kalaheo.
Pearl City, MIL runner-up Seabury Hall and BIIF third-seed Hilo comprise Pool B.
Pool C is made up of Kealakehe, ILH runner-up Iolani and OIA fourth-seed Farrington.
Pool D features Maui, Kauai Interscholastic Federation champion Waimea and OIA runner-up Moanalua.
The top two teams from each pool advance to Friday's quarterfinals at Blaisdell Arena. The semifinals and finals will be played on Saturday.
Kamehameha was the only school to interrupt Punahou's state tournament domination, winning the title in 1991 and '93, and the Warriors reached the state final against the Buffanblu last year.
This year, the Warriors enter the tournament as the favorite.
Kamehameha swept through the ILH season with a 15-0 record, thanks to a balanced attack. Outside hitters Rickey Estrada and Isaac Kneubuhl are the team's leading hitters, while middle blockers David Hoke and Willy Melemai are solid at the net. Senior Eric Kalima is one of the best defensive specialists in the state.
"This is the best chemistry of any team I've ever had where the guys really get along on and off the court," Maa said. "And I think it made a difference as far as being a more balanced team. ... We have four guys who were there last year, so they've helped keep the team focused and on line."
The Warriors will be tested in pool play by Waiakea and Kalaheo, a semifinalist in last year's tournament.
Kalaheo finished third in the OIA playoffs, and the Mustangs are hungry for a shot at the state title. Despite losing to Moanalua last week, the Mustangs are one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament. Ikaika Alama-Francis is an imposing presence at middle blocker and Justin Pedrina provides power from the outside.
"The team is really motivated to make up for it," Kalaheo coach Sivan Leoni said of the Mustangs' loss in the OIA semifinals. "And the state championship means more to them than winning the OIA championship. They're really excited and working really hard."
This year's entrants can thank Iolani, under first-year coach Luis Ramirez, for ending Punahou's state title run. The Raiders swept the Buffanblu in three games last Thursday to claim the ILH's second berth in the tournament.
The Raiders are making their first state tournament appearance since 1992, but have a seasoned group of athletes who have participated in other tournaments. Outside hitters Derrick Low and Jon Grobe and middle blockers Tyler McCready and Joseph Udell were on last year's Iolani basketball team which advanced to the state finals.
Pearl City won its third league title in four years, led by senior outside hitter Allison Dupont and his 43-inch vertical leap.
The Chargers and the three other OIA teams in the field -- Moanalua, Kalaheo and Farrington -- are looking to become the first Oahu public school team to win a state championship since Roosevelt won three in a row from 1977 to '79.
"(The Chargers) are excited that they won the OIA title, but they know once you achieve one goal, the next goal is now to vie for the state title," Pearl City coach Reid Shigemasa said. "But they know they're going to have to play one or two levels higher against the neighbor island teams and the ILH teams especially."
The six neighbor island teams in the tournament will try to become the first non-Oahu squad to win a state crown since Hilo won the inaugural tournament in 1969. And their distance may be one of their advantages.
Shigemasa said he hasn't seen Seabury Hall or Hilo this season and won't have a scouting report to work with entering tomorrow's matches.
"We're coming in kind of blind, but this is the fun part," he said. "To see who can strategize at this point with just short notice."
Maui and Kealakehe went undefeated in their leagues, and have the size and experience to contend for the championship.
Both teams return to the state tournament led by big blockers. Maui is led by 6-foot-8 middle blocker Dionisio Dante, while Kealakehe features 6-6 Eli Sather and 6-5 Kana Bento.
"We have to win on defense," Maui coach Albert Paschoal said. "It's not just one big guy in the middle, it has to be everyone."
While it takes at least four wins over three days to win the state title, tomorrow's matches will go a long way toward determining which team will walk away with the trophy.
"If you get through your games quickly, it makes a huge difference over three days, instead of battling it out every day," Maa said. "This first day is going to say a lot as far as how the tournament's going to shape up."
Nissan Boys Volleyball Championship
Pool A: Kamehameha, Waiakea, Kalaheo
Pool B: Pearl City, Seabury Hall, Hilo
Pool C: Kealakehe, Iolani, Farrington
Pool D: Maui, Waimea, Moanalua
Tomorrow
At Kekuhaupio Gymnasium>> Seabury Hall vs. Hilo, 1 p.m.
>> Kalaheo vs. Waiakea, 2:15 p.m.
>> Pearl City vs. Seabury Hall, 3:30 p.m.
>> Waiakea vs. Kamehameha, 5 p.m.
>> Hilo vs. Pearl City, 6:15 p.m.
>> Kamehameha vs. Kalaheo, 7:30 p.m.At McKinley High School
>> Waimea vs. Maui. 1 p.m.
>> Kealakehe vs. Farrington, 2:15 p.m.
>> Moanalua vs. Waimea, 3:30 p.m.
>> Farrington vs. Iolani, 5 p.m.
>> Maui vs. Moanalua, 6:15 p.m.
>> Iolani vs. Kealakehe, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
At Blaisdell Arena>> Pool A winner vs. Pool B runner-up, 3:30 p.m.
>> Pool C winner vs. Pool D runner-up, 4:45 p.m.
>> Pool B winner vs. Pool A runner-up, 6 p.m.
>> Pool D winner vs. Pool C runner-up, 7:15 p.m.
Saturday
At Blaisdell Arena>> Semifinals, 2 and 3:30 p.m.
>> Third-place match, 5:30 p.m.
>> Championship match, 8 p.m.
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