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Hawaii shows its strength
The broad view is simple: Hawaii teams won just 29 of 79 sets against mainland competitors in the elite Ann Kang Invitational last week.
With the nation's No. 2 team, Mira Costa, seizing its third title in a row, Hawaii still appears to be on the fringe of the country's best volleyball. However, that would be too simplistic a view.
The top entries from the islands were on par with elite teams like Mira Costa, Redondo Union and Buena, all from California. Kalani, behind Tamari Miyashiro, reached the championship match with final-day wins over Redondo and Buena.
"The Hawaiian teams have great athleticism and good ball control," Redondo Union head coach Tommy Chaffins said. "Kalani put a ball-control clinic on us."
In pool play, Hawaii teams struggled on day one, but went 13-11 against mainland squads on day two. Aiea, a young team one year ago, swept Overland -- a team featuring future Georgia Tech player Laura DeMichelis. Her sister, Chrissy, is a junior who is fielding interest from a mix of NCAA powerhouses from Florida to Hawaii.
So where does this put Hawaii teams on the national volleyball map? Maybe one more look at pool play will penetrate the broad numbers.
Mira Costa, with big, ball-hawking Alix Kleineman dominating the net, lost just one set all tourney -- to Saint Francis of Honolulu. Tinkering with its lineup, Mira Costa lost 25-23, and then won the second set 27-26.
Immediately after that, Iolani split with a solid California squad, Edison, and Moanalua split with California power La Habra. Basically, there isn't a team in the nation that can experiment during play and assume a victory against good Hawaii teams.
For Kahuku, defending state champion, it gets a little more tricky. Most of its players competed with North Shore Volleyball Club, which finished 10th out of 245 teams in a national tournament recently.
The Lady Raiders were 6-2 in pool play Thursday, advancing to the championship round. There, they were swept by Mira Costa and Corona Del Mar.
"I think No. 6 from Kahuku is as good as anyone I've seen," Chaffins said of Ah-Hoy. "I'm sure she'll do well at the next level."
Camilla Ah-Hoy will wait a while before leaving Kahuku.. The 5-foot-10 outside hitter-setter is just a junior.
Kahuku showed its traditional athleticism and determination throughout the tourney. Those facets alone can carry the Lady Raiders over lesser teams. Winning a third straight state title with a mix of veteran and new players will be a work in progress for head coach Mona Ah-Hoy and her staff.
Kalani, like Kahuku, will tilt the balance of power in the Oahu Interscholastic Association toward the East Division. The Lady Falcons, ranked No. 1 in the state for much of last year, wound up third at the state tourney.
Graduates like Marisa Okamoto seemed to leave big gaps, but Kalani has filled in effectively. Senior Dara Waialae made her mark as the new setter.
"I liked No. 11 and No. 27 for Kalani," Mira Costa head coach DaeLea Aldrich said of Miyashiro and Waialae. With Keri Hee in the middle and Amber Kanoa at the opposite slot, Kalani was resilient and balanced for the most part.
Like Kalani, Moanalua was one of the best digging teams in the tourney. The Menehune lack Kalani's height Hee, Kanoa and middle Meghan Koizumi measure at 5-9, but Moanalua's resilience on defense was matched by few. The Menes were 4-4 in pool play, barely missing championship-round qualification.
Host Iolani may be a year or two from peaking, but the Raiders showed plenty of promise. They were 4-4 in pool play, barely missing the championship round.
"I'm happy with our offense. We had a lot of options," co-head coach Rona Kekauoha said. "We were able to test some of our players."
Iolani made its final cut Saturday.
"At the end of last year, I we knew we'd have to fill our middles. We have a lot of work to do," Kekauoha said. "I definitely feel we're better now than we were last year at this point."
Part of that is because of the emergence of sophomore setter-outside hitter Kapua Kamana'o. Another sophomore, Monica Iosua, is blossoming with more playing time, and 5-9 freshman outside hitter Lauren Minkel is also providing punch.
"I think the ILH is wide open," said Kekauoha, who is in her second year as co-coach.
"Saint Francis will be tough, and so will Word of Life and HBA."
Kekauoha was also impressed with Aiea. Blythe Yamamoto's squad was somewhat inconsistent early on, but there is no denying the team's power. Leilani Kleman-Maeva (5-11) and Konae Purcell (5-9) are just two of Na Ali'i's key components.
Seabury Hall brought six freshmen to the tournament and got a valuable learning experience. Steve Colflesh's team has been a power in the Maui Interscholastic League for years, and most fans expect the Spartans to rebuild this year.
Castle has built up momentum over the past few seasons under coach Vince Bajet. Even with three starters out for academics, the Knights were fairly competitive last week. Setter Kelsie Bajet showed signs of becoming one of the top freshmen in the state.
University, under the discerning eye of coach Marci Miyasaki, showed flashes of potential. Outside hitter Marissa Kanemura is just one of four seniors on the team.
Waiakea showed plenty of the same strengths as Moanalua, including lots of defense. Sera DeReis, a 5-7 middle, and transfer Lisha Natividad are two of only three seniors.
Saint Francis, meanwhile, is now senior-heavy with seven in all. Two juniors are key parts, as well: outside hitter Kawena Otineru and setter Kanani Perry.
Hawaii Baptist, without a player over 5-10, was highly competitive. The Eagles, who were fourth in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu last year, have just four seniors, including versatile Brandi Higa.
