5 seniors, 1 junior
on first team

League All-Stars
Kamana'o on top of her game

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By Tim Crouse
tcrouse@starbulletin.com

Five new faces join repeat Star-Bulletin Player of the Year Kanoe Kamana'o on the first team this year.

Four of those five players are seniors, and will next try to make the jump to the collegiate level.

Kahuku's Mona Ah-Hoy is the Coach of the Year.

All-State selections were made after consultation with coaches around the state.

Alicia Arnott, a 6-foot-2 senior outside hitter from La Pietra, will attend the University of Hawaii next year -- alongside Kamana'o. In fact, Arnott, who played club ball with Kamana'o, could very well be on the receiving end of Kamana'o's sets at UH.

Arnott nearly led unheralded La Pietra to its first appearance in the state tournament.

"As we got deeper into the season, she found her groove, and confidence was the key," La Pietra coach Tony McInerny said. "She could be a future All-American."

Arnott was one of the state's top hitters, and hit one of the heaviest balls.

"She's very unselfish," Kamehameha coach Joey Miyashiro said. "She's more of a doer than a talker.

"She works hard, doesn't grumble and was one of the hardest hitters in the state this year."

Two of the Oahu Interscholastic Association's top players -- Tuli Peters and Patti Hardimon -- are also seniors, but haven't decided on colleges yet.

Peters, a 5-9 outside hitter from Kahuku, led the Red Raiders to their first state championship.

"She did an exceptional job," St. Joseph coach Rachelle Hanohano said. "She has a great attitude. She's a true competitor and a true champion."

Peters is likely headed to Oregon or Fresno State.

"She was able to lead her team by example and vocally," Kalani coach Tehani Fiatoa said. "She came through in big games more consistently than other top players."

Jenic Tumaneng's Farrington team was one of just two teams to beat the Red Raiders in the regular season.

"I like her athletic ability," Tumaneng said. "When the team needed a sideout or a play, it was her that (came through)."

Peters was unstoppable at times as a hitter, and was outstanding on defense and from behind the service line.

"I like her explosiveness, her quickness and athleticism and her arm speed," Hawaii Prep coach Daena Craven said.

Said Pearl City coach Stephanie Shota: "I liked her attitude. She played with a lot of confidence and intensity, but she looked like she enjoyed the game."

The 5-7 Hardimon, the Menehunes' middle blocker, was the total package on the court this year.

"She's a complete player, very versatile," Kahuku coach Ah-Hoy said. "We keyed more on her because she's the one (they go to)."

Hardimon's jump serve was a valuable tool for her.

"It was fabulous," Craven said.

"She has good control on her (jump) serve," Tumaneng said. "She's an all-around player."

Besides her hitting and serving, Hardimon also played tough defense -- and led the Menehunes by example.

"I liked her willingness to not lose. She's a competitor. I could see it in her that she doesn't like losing."

Said Seabury Hall coach Steve Colflesh: "I enjoyed watching the way she played. She was upbeat, positive, supporting her teammates."

Middle blocker Sarah Mason, a 6-2 senior from St. Joseph, will play volleyball for the Oregon Ducks of the Pac-10, arguably the top conference in the nation.

"I think that (she'll do well) at the next level as long as she keeps that attitude that you can always learn," Cardinals coach Hanohano said.

"Sarah made a major contribution to the team this year. She can hit the quick set, be an effective blocker. When we were in a bind we knew we could depend on her."

Mason's size helped her shut down opposing hitters at the net, and add to the Cardinals' offense.

"She's a very powerful player," Iolani assistant coach Chris Blake said.

Kamehameha's Mounia Nihipali is the lone junior on the first team. The 5-9 outside hitter helped her team win the Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship.

"The most improvements we saw were in her leadership qualities," Miyashiro said. "(Her attitude) was, 'How can I help others?' "

Nihipali was injured right after the Iolani Invitational and was out for the final three weeks of the preseason, but worked hard to get back to playing form.

"She was a hard worker in every aspect of training," Miyashiro said.

Nihipali hit the ball well from the left side, and also contributed with her strong passing and tough defense.

"She was solid, a strong hitter with a great jump serve," said McInerny. "She's quiet but just hammers away."

Added Waimea coach Paul Arrington: "She's a very dominating player. She's real strong and plays all the way around."

Ah-Hoy and her coaching staff, which included husband Irwin, made adjustments after Kahuku lost back-to-back matches in midseason. The Red Raiders responded by winning the rest of their games, and capturing the school's first state title.

"I love the way she spoke to her kids," Craven said. "They looked at her and listened and were really respectful."

Added Colflesh: "I enjoyed watching her during timeouts, how she talked to her kids. They were always in control."

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League All-Stars

Selected by league coaches

BIIF

Player of the Year -- Sarah Mason, St. Joseph, Sr.
Coach of the Year -- Daena Craven, Hawaii Prep

First Team -- Jazmin Paakaula, St. Joseph, Jr.; Carly Hayashikawa, Hawaii Prep, Sr.; Kuuipo Hayes, St. Joseph, Sr.; Sarah Mason, St. Joseph, Sr.; Lindsey Lee, St. Joseph, Jr.; Ashley Hanohano, St. Joseph, Jr.; Sheri Wilhelm, Hawaii Prep, Sr.

Second Team -- Jessi Mau, St. Josehp, Sr.; Kari Heers, Honokaa, So.; Karly Kopra, Hawaii Prep, Sr.; Kellianne Chong, Kealakehe, Sr.; Lokemele Davis, Hilo, So.; Nicole Arai, Honokaa, Sr.; Lisha Natividad, St. Joseph, So.

Honorable Mention -- Hilo: Kuulei Bonilla, Erica Chong, Pohai Weller, Amanda Cabreros, Olino Kotaki, Anela Kelson, Tricia Mattos. Honokaa: Sharell Paiva, Keisha Ancheta-DeMello. Hawaii Prep: Somia Quan, Mikela Yarawamai. Keaau: Kristine Gaden, Angelica Naki. Kealakehe: Kahaunani Kahananui, Corinna Oliva, Antoinette Alapai, Stephanie Cabilin. Kohala: Denni Duque. Konawaena: Nancy Hoist, Dayna Ushiroda. Pahoa: Crystal Spencer. Waiakea: Iris Alonzo, Marisa You.

ILH

Player of the Year -- Kanoe Kamana'o, Iolani, Sr.
Coach of the Year -- Joey Miyashiro, Kamehameha

First team -- Alicia Arnott, La Pietra, Sr.; Ashley Kau, University, Jr.; Mounia Nihipali, Kamehameha, Jr.; Aneli Cubi-Otinero, Punahou, So.; Raeceen Woolford, Iolani, Sr.; Tiffany Butac, Hawaii Baptist, Sr.; Hoku Tamayori, Kamehameha, Sr.

Second team -- Kristen Ponce, Kamehameha, Jr.; Puna Richardson, Punahou, Sr.; Kamaile Durett, University, Sr.; Chandra Shih, La Pietra, Jr.; Kekai Crabbe, Kamehameha, Sr.; Melanie Tang, Maryknoll, Sr.

Honorable mention -- St. Andrews: Lori Miyasato, Kristen Cortez, Robyn Kaneshiro. St. Francis: Chelsey Powell, Madisen Minkel. Maryknoll: Alissa Chang, Christa Hewett. Mid-Pac: Danielle Mafua, Jasmine Vierra, Alyssa Young. Punahou: Kaui Robello, Marissa Chow. Hanalani: Krista Catian, Jennifer Braceros, Samantha Robertson. Iolani: Jackie Sasaki. Kamehameha: Lori Nakamura, Randi Salis, Anuhea Friel. Iolani: Pono Fernandez, Ashely Aratani. University: Wendee Waki, Marissa Kanemura, Shannon Kim. Hawaii Baptist: Kara Morita, Rayna Kitaguchi, Alethia Criz. Sacred Hearts: Lizzath Carreon, Temehani Cummings, Amber Kanoa.

KIF

Player ofthe Year -- Ihilani Yama, Kapaa Coach of the Year -- Paul Arrington, Waimea

All-Stars -- Britnee Boeder, Waimea; Kyrie Simeona, Kauai; Courtney Dollente, Kauai; Ihilani Yama, Kapaa; Virginia Aguliar, Waimea; Jannah Tafua, Waimea.

OIA

Eastern Division
Player of the Year -- Tuli Peters, Kahuku, Sr.
Coach of the Year -- Jenic Tumaneng, Farrington

First Team -- Tuli Peters, Kahuku, Sr.; Patti Hardimon, Moanalua, Jr.; Tamari Miyashiro, Kalani, So.; Meghan Watson, Kalaheo, Sr.; Marisa Okamoto, Kalani, Jr.; Janice Fonoti, Farrington, Sr.; Sheliane Ogoshi, Roosevelt, Jr.; Ashley Gandauli, Moanalua, Sr.

Second Team -- Paepaetele Poasa, Farrington, Sr.; Amy Lusk, Kalaheo, Sr.; Danie Hout, Moanalua, So.; Melissa Aki, Roosevelt, Jr.; Lesina Funaki, Kahuku, Sr.; Tania Liufau, McKinley, Sr.; Ricki Tan, McKinley, Sr.; Kari Vierra, Roosevelt, Sr.

Honorable mention -- Castle: Leinaala Aki, Glenell Delima, Rhiana Young, Kalei Akaka, Kehaulani Pelekai. Farrington: Laosamoa Uli, Gerralyn Linear, Kristelle Marfil. Kahuku: Musie Olevao, Monarisa Ale, Chazel Fiso, Camilla Ah-Hoy. Kaimuki: Chastitey Morn, Jade Maiava, Chelsea Gornichec, Brandy Ramos, Karissa Battagler. Kaiser: Jessica Poling, Cindy Matsubara, Meghan Chin. Kalaheo: Julianna Sanders, Breton Frazer. Kalani: Keri Hee, Krystle Vea, Meghan Koizumi. McKinley: Dibrianne Young, Kristal McKenna, Nicki Uechi. Moanalua: Sina Nataniela, Kepuanani Lee. Roosevelt: Nicole Okada, Kristen Tanabe.

Western Division
Player of the Year -- Chalice Kaapuni, Pearl City, Sr.
Coach of the Year -- Stephanie Shota, Pearl City

First Team -- Chalice Kaapuni, Pearl City, Sr.; Kaena Apana, Nanakuli, Jr.; Amber Wiedermann, Mililani, Sr.; Tanya Lauifi, Waipahu, Jr.; Shalayna Nutter-Gaudet, Leilehua, Jr.; Annie Lanoza, Leilehua, Sr.; Antoinette Lalita, Leilehua, Sr.; Melissa Sekigawa, Leilehua, Sr.

Second Team -- Konae Purcell, Aiea, So.; Jennifer Loo, Mililani, Jr.; Lehua Yap, Nanakuli, Sr.; Tina Questal, Pearl City, Jr.; Jennifer Wade, Waialua, Sr.; Tanya Menino, Kapolei, Jr.; Jamie Iwata, Pearl City, Sr.; Jodee Sakaida, Aiea, Sr.; Kristy Nakamitsu, Mililani, Jr.

Honorable mention -- Aiea: Nicole Takemoto, Jodie Onaga, Lelani Kleman. Campbell: Magnolia Soares, Anela Decosta, Sherry Morck. Kapolei: Angie Woo. Leilehua: Lia Chun. Mililani: Brooke Dombroski, Shari Hirata. Nanakuli: Jandi Higashi, Ashley Palakiko, Coreena Williams. Pearl City: Jillan Soria, Stacey Iwahashi. Radford: Brianna Reyes, Chantel Romano, Ashlley Romano, Alzie Auelua, Kristen Pacpaco. Waialua: Estelani Deuz, Glenelle Matas, Lorin Milotta, Shanay Coloma. Waianae: Hoku Bailey, Tiare Holbron. Waipahu: Marabel Tupa, Noela Noga, Nicole Viera, Chey-Ann Mercado.

MIL

Not available