[ HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL ]
Moanalua recovers
from loss to beat
Roosevelt
Moanalua found itself in unfamiliar territory yesterday afternoon. For the first time all season, the Menehune girls' volleyball team was attempting to regroup from a loss.
"The girls responded great," said Moanalua coach Thomas Lake, after the Menehune celebrated senior day with a workmanlike 25-18, 18-25, 15-12 win over Roosevelt in Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Conference play. "They were really anxious to get back to practice the other day and to play another game after that loss. We made some changes and had some people playing at different positions, and I thought we played really well."
With the win, Moanalua (8-1) remained in a second-place tie with Kahuku, whom the Menehunes visit for a key match on Wednesday.
"We were really anxious with that game against Kalani," said Lake. "We were so excited to play them. Today being senior day, maybe they had a lot of other things on their minds. We played more relaxed, and that was good."
Conversely, Roosevelt (7-2), which suffered just its second league loss, could have benefited from a more relaxed mind-set, according to Rough Rider coach Bryan Camello.
"I think it came down to the mental part of the game," said Camello. "I think we took the game a little too seriously. It was a big game, but we played a little tight. It looked like we wanted the game so much that we put pressure on ourselves. And Moanalua is a great team, and they put pressure on us."
As it was, little separated the teams yesterday. One key adjustment saw Lake switch senior Resina Nataniela from outside hitter to setter for the match, a position she had played during her first three years in the Menehune program.
"It was her first match setting for us, and I thought she did a great job," Lake said.
Added Nataniela: "I was comfortable playing setter again -- I liked it more than hitting."
