DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Moanalua's Alisa Hout went for the kill against Roosevelt's Kari Vierra as the Menehunes swept Roosevelt last night.

’Riders run into Moanalua

OIA scores

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By Tim Crouse
tcrouse@starbulletin.com

Moanalua nearly reached the pinnacle in girls volleyball in 2000. After a rebuilding year in 2001, the Menehunes served notice last night that they'll be a handful in the Oahu Interscholastic Association this season.

Moanalua thumped host Roosevelt 15-1, 15-8 in the league opener for both teams.

The Menehunes won the OIA championship in 2000 with a veteran team and surged all the way to the semifinals of the state tournament.

Both teams were one win shy of reaching the state tournament last season, losing in the quarterfinals of the OIA tournament.

"It was pretty sad," senior Patti Hardimon said. "We were all disappointed because we knew we could have made it to states."

Moanalua, returning virtually the same lineup from a year ago, looked to be in midseason form in winning last night's match in less than 45 minutes. The tough preseason competition -- playing Interscholastic League of Honolulu and mainland teams in the Iolani Invitational -- certainly helped.

"We came off tough tournaments (in the preseason). It was good to start from the beginning all over again," Hardimon said.

Hardimon showed why she is a strong contender for player of the year, notching seven kills, to go with a block and an effective jump serve.

But she had some help, too.

Alisa Hout hit the hardest balls of the night, blasting six kills, five in the second game. Kepua Lee added five more kills for Moanalua.

Hout, who missed last season because of academic problems, gives Moanalua another major offensive option besides Hardimon.

"I'm glad she decided to come back and stick it out this season," Hardimon said. "It takes a lot off my shoulders, and others people's shoulders as well."

The Menehunes played nearly flawlessly in the opening game, putting down 10 kills, to go with just two hitting errors. They also benefited from numerous Roosevelt errors. The Rough Riders played good defense, but had trouble finishing off their attack.

Hout and Jamie Gaison teamed up for a block to put an end to the first game in a tidy 15 minutes.

Roosevelt regrouped and played much better the second game, taking a 3-2 lead and then staying close to Moanalua until a late spurt by the Menehunes.

Hout went on a hitting spree, putting down three quick kills to give Moanalua a 6-3 lead.

But Melissa Aki responded for the Rough Riders. Aki, the most consistent Roosevelt hitter in the match, brought the Rough Riders within 6-5 with her third kill of the game. Aki finished with a team-high seven kills.

The closest Roosevelt got after that was 8-6, following an ace by Shellane Ogoshi.

But Hout, Hardimon and Lee all blasted kills and the Menehunes were off and running again. Lee added another kill as Moanalua built a 13-6 lead.

The Rough Riders worked hard for two points, with the help of several outstanding digs to extend rallies. But Moanalua was too strong offensively, and used a Hout kill to help end the game, and the match, at 15-8.

The Moanalua players have set a high standard for this season, even though they'll have to go through defending OIA champion Kahuku and second-place finisher Kalani.

"We are trying to go undefeated in the OIA East and take the OIA like we did (two years ago)," Hardimon said.

Added Hout: "I think our goals are to keep up our intensity and push harder. We have almost the same (starting) roster as last year. Our attitude is already positive and we're pushing each other really well."

Hardimon said the strength of the team at this point is its closeness.

"We've known each other forever. It's good to play with all your friends. We hang out at school and we get to know each other really well."

Moanalua coach Sheri Sagayaga said her advice to her team is simple: "Take every game, game-by-game, have fun, and no drama."

Moanalua continues with Kaiser next Tuesday and Roosevelt looks to rebound against Kaimuki on Thursday. The Menehunes square off against Kahuku and Kalani in back-to-back games Oct. 10 and 15.

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OIA scores Varsity boys Kalaheo def. Kaiser 15-12, 16-14 Roosevelt def. Moanalua 15-6, 10--12, 15-11 Kahuku def. McKinley 10-15, 15-13, 15-6 Farrington def. Kaimuki 12-10, 15-7 Varsity girls Kalaheo def. Kaiser 15-13, 5-15, 15-9 Kalani def. Kailua 15-5, 15-5 Moanalua def. Roosevelt 15-1, 15-8 Kahuku def. McKinley 8-15, 15-5, 15-13 Farrington def. Kaimuki 15-5, 15-8 JV score Kaiser def. Kalaheo 15-5, 15-1 Kalani def. Kailua 13-9, 12-9 Farrington def. Kaimuki 13-15, 15-13, 15-6 JV girls Moanalua def Roosevelt 15-0, 15-10 Kahuku def. McKinley 15-0, 15-8

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