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East aims for Kalani
Although parity remains the order of the day in Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division girls volleyball, seven of the league's members will begin the 2004 season with the same mind-set: catch Kalani.
Make no mistake, the Falcons remain the highlight of every opponent's schedule.
"They're definitely still the favorite," said Kahuku coach Mona Ah Hoy, whose teams won OIA titles in 2001 and 2002 as well as the 2002 state championship. "They still have Tamari (Miyashiro), and they're very well-coached. They play with a lot of discipline."
Miyashiro was the East's Player of the Year in 2003, and although the defending OIA champion Falcons lost setter Marisa Okamoto to graduation (she now plays for UNLV), Kalani returns an all-star cast that includes senior middle blocker Keri Hee (5-feet-10), junior middle blocker Meghan Koizumi and senior setter Dara Waialae. They also bring the assertiveness of a team that won every game against OIA competition a year ago.
"We've improved from last year, but we're still not where we want to be," said Aven Lee, who is Kalani's co-coach along with Joey Miyashiro. "They know each other's movements, and that makes it easier for them to work together. I'm able to do a little less teaching and more fine-tuning."
Tamari Miyashiro again figures to be among the premier players in the state.
"She's a well-rounded player," Ah Hoy said. "She's all over the place, very balanced, offensively and defensively."
If anyone seems poised to unseat the Falcons, it may be Kahuku or fellow East member Moanalua, which features outside hitter Danie Hout. East Division play begins today with six key matchups, highlighted by Kaiser's visit to Kahuku. If recent history has proven anything, it is that there are no breathers in the East.
"I saw Roosevelt, and although they lost some girls, there hasn't been a drop-off there," Lee said. "Kahuku, Roosevelt, Moanalua, Farrington . . . the East is always strong."
Kahuku returns senior setter LeeAnn Mapu, junior outside hitter Camilla Ah Hoy, junior middle blocker Lily Latu and senior setter Sachi Mamizuka. Ah Hoy is also counting on Emi Chang, Alia Hassett and a supporting cast that includes the key components from a JV team that has gone 27-1 over the past two years.
"They've been together for so long that they remind me of our state championship team (of 2002)," Ah Hoy said. "The strength of this team is the chemistry they have on and off the court."
Pearl City and Aiea shared the West Division title last season, and their meeting at Aiea on Sept. 29, could go a long way in deciding this season's race. The West begins play on Saturday with five matches on tap.
Aiea is coming off a solid preseason that saw Na Ali'i finish second to East power Moanalua at the 32-team Longy Okamoto Invitational behind its stellar outside hitting tandem of Lelani Kleman-Maeva and Konae Purcell. Kleman-Maeva, a senior, is being recruited by many of college volleyball's marquee programs.
"We're slowly progressing -- we don't have any one all-star, but our kids are playing really well together," said Aiea coach Blythe Yamamoto, whose team opens its season at home against Campbell on Saturday. "A lot of our kids don't play club, and the ones who do, play on different teams, so we need to just keep working together. Our defense is what's been keeping us in games so far."
"Youthful" best describes Pearl City's team, with 5-9 senior middle blocker Nicole Young the Chargers' lone veteran.
"We've been working very hard, so hopefully we'll come together at the right time," Pearl City coach Stephanie Shigemasa said. "We have to improve daily and stay injury-free."
While the East has won 12 of the last 13 overall OIA titles, an increase in the number of kids taking part in club volleyball island-wide may someday allow the West to close the gap.
"Aiea is always good, and so are Kapolei and Waipahu . . . the West is becoming more and more competitive every year," Shigemasa said.
