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Kalani’s seniors
lead the way
Kalani's senior class proved last night that it's better to give than to receive, defeating visiting Kaiser 25-10, 25-21 in Oahu Interscholastic Association girls volleyball.
Tamari Miyashiro, Amber Kanoa, Keri Hee and Dara Waialae gave themselves a fitting farewell on Senior Night. They accounted for 19 assists, 20 of the team's 21 kills, and all four Falcon service aces.
Kanoa got the defending OIA East Division champs started when she tallied the match's first point off an assist from Melia Iwamoto. Kanoa finished the match with five kills.
Miyashiro had the biggest impact in the first set as she held serve for nine straight points -- registering four assists and a pair of sevice aces herself -- as Kalani sprinted away to a 16-6 lead.
Miyashiro, the 2003 division player of the year, enjoyed another outstanding all-around effort, finishing with eight assists, four kills and two service aces.
In Game 2, fellow seniors Waialae and Hee took over. Hee led the way, sparking her team to a six-point run with two kills and a service ace to rally back from a 4-6 deficit. Hee finished the night with a match-high six kills.
Waialae, an all-state honorable mention last year, stepped in at setter in Game 2 and kept the Falcon offense swinging with seven of her match-high 11 assists.
Kaiser was able to stay in striking range in Game 2 thanks to five kills from Chanelle Esteban and six assists from Kaylee Noborikawa.
The Falcons, ranked sixth in this week's Star-Bulletin Top 10 poll, finished the regular season with seven straight victories and have momentum going into next week's league tournament.
"(I'm) satisfied," said Kalani coach Aven Lee. "We will be having individual work to try to strengthen our weaknesses. We are a smaller team, so our defense has gotta be there, and our passing has gotta be there."
