[ HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL ]
Life at the top is hard. Staying there is even harder. Pearl City wins pair
at Mililani
By Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.comPearl City knows. The volleyball competition in the Oahu Interscholastic Association West just keeps getting better and better. And staying in contention for the league title just keeps getting tougher and tougher.
Yesterday, the Charger girls remained undefeated ... but it wasn't easy. For just the second time this season, Pearl City (6-0) needed three games to notch a win, beating host Mililani (5-2), 15-8, 11-15, 15-12.
The Charger boys used their impressive height advantage to knock Mililani from the unbeaten ranks, toppling the Trojans 15-8, 15-5. Defending West champion Pearl City (5-1) now trails undefeated Leilehua (6-0) and Campbell (6-0) by a game, with Mililani (6-1) falling to second.
"The West is getting more and more competitive," said Pearl City girls coach Stephanie Shota, her team holding a one-game lead over Leilehua (5-1). "There are a number of strong teams and you have to stay focused.
"It's what you have to do when it goes to rally scoring (in Game 3). You're afraid to make mistakes because it means a point. But at the same time, you've got to go for it."
Pearl City edged out to a 10-8 lead in the deciding Game 3 on a double block by Jayna Chee and Tina Questal on Christy Duvauchelle. But a Charger net violation closed the gap to 10-9 and, when down referee Nahaku Brown called the Chargers for an overlap violation, the game was tied at 10 ... briefly.
After much discussion, the call was reversed and the point was replayed. The Chargers scored three straight points on two Mililani errors and a slam by Chalice Kaapuni on a service overpass to take a 13-9 lead.
The Trojans didn't go quietly, rallying to 13-12 on a double block by Jennifer Loo and Duvauchelle on Kaapuni, a Pearl City mishandled ball and a solo block of Kaapuni by Amber Wiedermann. But a service error gave the Chargers match point and Kaapuni put down an overpass to end it.
"Towards the end we made some adjustments," said Shota. "Our block stayed focused when it really counted. We're not really big, but the team works hard and plays with a lot of heart and emotion."
Mililani coach Rudy Sambrano said his team was uncharacteristically out of rhythm.
"The miscommunication out there today doesn't usually happen," he said. "At times, you saw a little of what our offense can do and our block.
"Pearl City is No. 1 right now. We know what we need to work on."
Pearl City boys coach Reid Shigemasa is also having to readjust some of his strategy. For the first time in his career, Shigemasa has a tall team ... a very tall team.
Six of the 14 players on the Chargers' roster are 6 feet or taller.
"This is real new to us as coaches," said Shigemasa. "We're learning how to work with larger athletes. We are used to running a quick offense, but now we can slow it down a little because we have the size.
"What it means is we can be more aggressive on our jump serves. We also have an older team, with four senior starters. If anything, we've got to make this the year (to win the state championship) because for the first time we can match up in size with the other leagues."
The Chargers' only loss this season was due to a paperwork error regarding 6-2 senior transfer Jonathan Charette. Shigemasa said he didn't submit the paperwork properly and had to forfeit the season-opening win to Waialua.
Charette transferred from a California high school that didn't offer volleyball. He has played club volleyball for three years for powerhouse Long Beach Club.
Charette has made an immediate impact at opposite for the Chargers. Yesterday, he had three kills and was in on three blocks as Pearl City jumped out to a 6-3 lead in Game 1.
Mililani got as close as 6-5 before setter Christopher Kaneko held service for four points during a 6-0 Pearl City run. The Trojans pulled within 13-8, but kills by Charette and Kapena Wong closed it out.
Pearl City's tough serving keyed a 6-0 run to open Game 2 and Mililani never recovered. Charette's jumper created passing problems for the Trojans during a 4-0 spurt that put the Chargers ahead 12-3.
An ace by Justin Himori brought Mililani within 12-5, but a lift call and two kills by Charette put an end to the Trojans' perfect year.
"It's just one game," said Mililani coach Kauanoe Eldredge. "The boys should now know there is much more we need to work on.
"We don't have a 6-footer on the roster and it is difficult that our block isn't bigger. Normally we play bigger than we did today. I don't think Pearl City's size intimidated our team. I think they were more intimidated by themselves, put pressure on themselves. They put themselves in a spot they shouldn't have been in."
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