Mililani defeats Roosevelt
in 3 games

The Mililani boys volleyball team scrapped back after giving away the momentum to beat Roosevelt 25-13, 20-25, 25-22 yesterday in a thrilling opening-round match in OIA tournament play at Leilehua High School.

The Trojans handled Roosevelt in Game 1 using a well-balanced attack, with Chris Burt, Scott Neumann and Todd Sorbin each contributing three kills. Burt led all players with nine kills.

With senior setter Creaston Mercado running the offense, Mililani comitted only four attack errors, while recording 10 kills.

In Game 2, Mililani came out flat and doubled its error total from the first game, as Roosevelt battled back to even the match at a game apiece. Rough Rider middle Danton Balbos had four kills and two blocks, and setter Kyle Maki had 11 of his 23 assists as Roosevelt seized the momentum.

"That's been what's happened every single game this season," said Mililani coach John Ing. "We had a big letdown in the second game, and we just weren't playing defense and not doing what we were supposed to be doing."

In the other match at Leilehua, the host Mules continued their rebound from early-season struggles.

After entering this season with a talented nucleus and high expectations, Leilehua found itself looking up from the bottom of the OIA West, with consecutive losses to open the year.

"We had a slow start at the beginning of the year," veteran Leilehua coach Ernest Balignasay said. "We were a little overconfident and I think we needed those two games to put us in the right perspective."

Lesson learned.

Since those early losses to Waipahu and Nanakuli, the Mules have ripped off eight wins in nine outings, including yesterday's win over Kaimuki in straight games, 25-20, 25-16.

Leilehua took advantage of its athleticism and received strong performances from seniors Daniel Galarza and Edward Garcia to move on to the second round. Galarza ran the attack, dishing out 22 assists, while Garcia led all players with 10 kills and added three blocks.

The third-seeded Mules used an early run and a late rally to take Game 1.

The second game saw Leilehua ride the momentum of a seven-point run to race to a 25-16 victory and the match.