Anuenue boys volleyball
team tastes success
in season’s final match
Without a gym of its own, Anuenue's boys volleyball team has traveled near and far in its inaugural season.
Competitive in many of its matches, Anuenue found a measure of success by winning its final match, a three-set thriller at Kaiser.
It was more than the only victory of the year for the Palolo-based Hawaiian immersion school. The win gave something tangible to hold on for the young team, comprised of: Kawika Wise, Ikaika Ka'awa, Hanalei Fujimoto, Aukai Walk, Kaehukai Nauka, Keliipio Adams, Kaleo Tolentino, Kula Tolentino, Kamaki Sherman and Kekoa Lyau.
Getting used to success will take time. Once Anuenue got ahead of Kaiser, the mood changed.
"They were hesitant to be in that situation. They played tentatively when they got the lead," said Lapule Schultz, an assistant coach for the boys and girls.
Head coach Alii Robins' roster of 10 players has little volleyball experience. For eight of them, this was their first venture into the sport.
Anuenue has goals of starting a junior varsity football team in the near future. A varsity boys basketball team is also in the plans for next year.
"We had kids who have played (youth basketball) for Pauoa, Manoa and KAC," Schultz noted.
The future basketball team would likely practice where the volleyball squad goes: Palolo Recreation Gym.
Currently, there are 35 boys in Anuenue's high school grades. A big freshmen class next year--50 or so boys and girls--will probably boost the athletic program significantly.
That's good news for the boys, who are still behind the girls.
Anuenue is the defending champion in Oahu Interscholastic Association girls paddling.
Gurus of golf: Kaiser High School is looking for boys and girls golf coaches.
Interested applicants should send or fax rŽsumŽ to Ricky Shimokawa, Athletic Director. 511 Lunalilo Home Road, 394-1247 fax.
Moanalua regouping: With starters Danie Hout and Lena Yee gone to California on unofficial college recruiting visits, the Moanalua girls volleyball team hung tough, but fell at McKinley 25-23, 13-25, 25-18 last week.
Absorbing the first loss of the season after nine wins wasn't easy for Moanalua, which had been ranked No. 2 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10.
"Jasmine Ma'afala played great for McKinley," Moanalua coach Thomas Lake said. "You're upset after a loss, but seeing the girls' reaction, they couldn't wait to redeem themselves and get back in the gym to practice."
Moanalua still has a hold on the top seed in the Oahu Interscholastic Association East, thanks to a win over co-leader Kahuku. McKinley, one of the younger teams in the OIA East, kept its playoff hopes alive with the clutch victory.
"It feels great. That's probably the best we've played," McKinley coach Fiona Nepo said. "We were clicking and playing as a team, finally. Not just in spurts."
If the Tigers don't qualify for the postseason, they're young enough to carry over momentum. "In a way, we'll be disappointed if we don't make it. The way we're playing now will help us for next season," Nepo said.
Moanalua will bounce back, Lake said. "We were real flat. This is a wake-up call to get it together. It's probably one of the best things that could happen," he said. "It was a good chance to reassess our players. We made a ton of mental errors, like missing three serves in a row. Real correctable stuff."
Moving up in MIL volleyball: The emergence of Kamehameha-Maui, ranked No. 10 in the Star-Bulletin Girls Volleyball Top 10, is just the tip of the iceberg. The volleyball scene on the Valley Isle is picking up momentum.
"Kamehameha-Maui coach Donald Kealoha is among the best coaches in the state. The poise and maturity of the girls is remarkable--and there are no seniors," Saint Anthony athletic director and coach Dan Molin said. "They keep getting better and better."
On a broader scale, the island has all the necessary components for developing volleyball talent.
"I've noticed more kids playing at the club level in the off season. Actually you may be seeing the coming-of-age of some of these clubs that started about seven to eight years ago," Molin said. "They are now filtering into the high schools. Also, within the private middle schools, a fall volleyball league has formed to spark more interest at a younger age."
Athletes of the Week
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» Kiran Kepo'o, Iolani: 21 of 34 for 266 yards, no interceptions in 36-31 upset win over Saint Louis.
» Jasmine Ma'afala, McKinley volleyball: Led the Tigers in a win over OIA East leader Moanalua.
Honor Roll
AIR RIFLERY
» Kalimari Billings, Pearl City: 261 against Waipahu.» Laura Perreira, Waipahu: 260 against Pearl City.
» Ashley Sawa, Kaimuki: 259 against Kahuku.
BOWLING
» Eric Tsukamoto, Hawaii Baptist: 279 game, 693 series against Assets.» James Pirtle, Pearl City: 258 game, 695 series against Leilehua.
» Stuart Fuke, Kalani: 287 game, 681 series against Kailua.
» Vaseem Anwar, Maryknoll: 268 game, 696 series vs. Punahou.
» Ben-Kris Lagat, Pearl City: 254 game against Leilehua.
» Tricia Warashina, Kapolei: 253 game against Radford.
» Jolana Gollero, Pearl City: 259 game against Leilehua.
FOOTBALL
» Maka Kahoano, Mililani: Rushed for 85 yards and passed for 96 more against Waianae.» Shannon Wise, Kaiser: 18 of 28 for 239 yards, ran for 90 yards against Kalaheo.
» David Pershin, Kalaheo: 25 of 43, 269 yards vs. Kaiser.
» Matt Ching, Kaiser: Seven catches, 116 yards vs. Kalaheo.
» Toli Ilaoa, Kalaheo: Seven receptions, 90 yards, two touchdowns against Kaiser.
» Austen Benito, Waipahu: Passed for 99 yards, ran for 50, including game-winning 43-yard touchdown run.
» Stanford Leti, Moanalua: 119 yards, 16 carries against Waipahu.
» Bryant Moniz, Leilehua: 27 of 34, 331 yards against Pearl City.
» Chustin Senas, Leilehua: Eight receptions, 137 yards against Pearl City.
» Siaosi Lauhingoa, Kahuku: 195 yards, three TDs on 17 carries against Kailua.
» Kamuela Aisa, Kahuku: 99 yards rushing on 11 attempts against Kailua.
» Michael Hirokawa, Iolani: 62 yards rushing, 67 receiving, three touchdowns vs. St. Louis.
» Kevin Sullivan, Saint Louis: 196 yards, 19 carries against Iolani.
» Shane Perry, Saint Louis: Four catches, 127 yards, two touchdowns vs. Iolani.
» Va'a Faualo, Damien: 133 yards on 19 carries vs. Pac-Five.
» Eti Atonio, Farrington: 10 of 14, 260 yards, four touchdowns against McKinley.
» Ameko Vainasanuu, Farrington: Eight carries, 110 yards against McKinley.
» Jayson Rego, Kamehameha: 171 yards, 29 carries, three touchdowns vs. Punahou.
» Miah Ostrowski, Punahou: Nine catches, 126 yards against Kamehameha.
VOLLEYBALL
» Haililani Pokipala, Sacred Hearts: Nine kills (.429), five blocks, 20 digs against La Pietra.» Autumn Duncan, Sacred Hearts: Nine kills, four blocks and 25 digs against La Pietra.
» Grant Gannon, Mid-Pacific: 13 kills, eight digs, one ace against Hanalani.
To nominate ...
To nominate an athlete of the week, contact the Star-Bulletin Sports Department by 11 p.m. Sunday:
Phone: 529-4782
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