Injuries played key role
in Knights’ postseason loss
The Castle Knights have long been competitive in boys volleyball. Injuries to two key players, however, played a big factor in their postseason hopes.
First, middle blocker Kealii Bertelmann -- their tallest player at 5-foot-11 -- suffered an injury before the playoffs. Near the end of Game 1 against Pearl City, Keala Aulelaua went down with a badly sprained right ankle.
"Once Keala went out, it kind of rattled our team. He's our power hitter, our power blocker," coach Pat Gomes-Woolsey said. "We had to play a sophomore (Hepefareti Ale) who didn't play all season. I think they played well for having to adjust."
It proved to be a turning point. Castle was ahead 23-17 when Aulelaua left. The Knights won that game, but struggled from that point and lost. Kainoa Brede, Castle's versatile, senior spark plug, had seven kills and an ace to lead the Knights. Nainoa Hopkins added five kills.
They'll miss their lone senior, Brede, but the Knights have the firepower to make a stronger run in 2006.
Pearl City, the No. 4 seed from the Oahu Interscholastic Association West, takes on unbeaten Kalaheo tonight at McKinley Student Council Gym.
"They've got a good coach," said Chargers coach Dayne Teves, now in his second year as head coach. Teves was still in the Bay Area little more than a year ago when his coaching career took a wild turn.
He was ready to move back to Hawaii with his wife and become an assistant coach at his alma mater.
However, when the new head coach's job situation became more demanding, Teves was asked to take over.
Somewhat reluctantly, he took the lead. He's never looked back, coaching with the kind of pride that made Pearl City while he was a player.
"If we play like today, we won't beat Kalaheo," he said.
Slammers on the air: Tonight's OIA boys volleyball quarterfinals at McKinley mark the first of four televised dates of the playoffs by OC-16.
The schedule was tweaked a bit to allow the top seeds from the West and East -- Waipahu and Kalaheo -- to get on the air. Waipahu meets Mililani at 6 p.m., followed by Kalaheo and Pearl City at 7:30.
The girls quarterfinals begin tomorrow, and will also be televised. Top seeds Aiea (6 p.m.) and Moanalua (7:30) also get their time to shine.
The remaining two dates are for the boys and girls semifinals Saturday, beginning at 4 p.m., and the championships on Nov. 4 at 6 p.m.
