Punahou sits
atop both polls
Halfway through the season, the girls and boys of Punahou have firm footholds atop the inaugural Star-Bulletin top 10 polls.
Punahou's girls, 6-0 in Interscholastic League of Honolulu play, collected all 16 first-place votes from coaches and media to rule the top 10. The Buffanblu, ranked No. 48 by PrepVolleyball.com, go on the road for matches at Mid-Pacific (tonight) and Iolani (Saturday).
The Buffanblu are widely acknowledged by coaches and media as the deepest, most talented team in the state. Larissa Nordyke, Liz Ka'aihue, Kaui Robello and setter Pomai Nu'uhiwa anchor a Punahou squad that is awaiting the return of last year's state player of the year, Aneli Otineru.
Earlier in the season, Punahou placed 11th at the 32-team Durango Fall Classic, an elite tournament held in Las Vegas.
Moanalua, coming off big wins over Roosevelt and Kahuku, is ranked No. 2. The Menehune, behind Danie Hout's 21 kills against Kahuku, have come on strong since an up-and-down preseason slate. Moanalua (6-0) has sole possession of first place in the Oahu Interscholastic Association East, just ahead of Kahuku and Farrington.
Kamehameha (5-1), Kahuku (5-1) and Hawaii Baptist (6-1) follow. Sixth-ranked Kalani bounced back with two wins last week to end a two-loss skid. Iolani, Aiea, Farrington and Kamehameha-Hawaii round out the top 10.
Kamehameha-Hawaii, a team without seniors, leads the Big Island Interscholastic Federation at 7-0.
On the boys' side, Punahou (5-0) garnered eight of 10 first-place votes to earn a No. 1 ranking. Defending state champion Iolani (6-0) hosts Punahou Saturday, 7:30 p.m. in a key ILH showdown.
The rest of the top 10 reads like a who's who of ILH schools. Six of the 10 are from the ILH, including Kamehameha (third), Damien (seventh), University (eighth) and Maryknoll (10th).
Fourth-ranked Waiakea, powered by Napua Cabatu, is a mix of talented returnees and transfers.
Kauai, with 6-foot-7 senior Va'afuti Tavana in the middle, is ranked No. 5. Tavana is also one of the top basketball players in the state.
Maryknoll's footing in the top 10 is tenuous. The Spartans (3-3) fell to University on Saturday, but voters granted them levity for playing in a tough league.
Maui Interscholastic League leaders Hana (5-0) and Molokai (4-0) are on the cusp.
