Buffanblu leave mark
in volleyball history
Plowing through the state's toughest league, and then dominating the girls volleyball state championships, Punahou made it look easy.
Of course, it wasn't.
The Buffanblu endured the loss of returning state player of the year, Aneli Cubi-Otineru, for nearly the entire season. After winning the state crown last year, they had a giant bull's-eye on their backs and opponents geared up for a shot at them.
Nineteen times, Punahou fought off the challengers. Sweeping through the state tourney, culminating with a two-set win over Kamehameha-Oahu, sealed this team's legacy as one of the best in Hawaii prep history.
"We really pulled through. Kamehameha was really persistent, but we were really pumped," sophomore Larissa Nordyke said. "We prepared all day, all season."
Elizabeth Ka'aihue, named to the all-tournament team, was among many Buffanblu who stepped up after Cubi-Otineru was sidelined. "This year we had to work a lot harder, especially without Aneli, so everyone contributed--not just the six on the court," the sophomore said. "We were prepared. We believed."
For veteran coach Scott Rigg, a seventh state championship was especially enjoyable.
"This is a really good group. These guys are super tight," said Rigg, who led Punahou to five boys championships before guiding the girls to the past two.
Cubi-Otineru, a highly recruited senior who committed to the University of Hawaii last year, persevered through the season despite academic discipline that kept her off the court. She trained daily with the team, though, and served as manager during matches. She never missed a beat, never thought of quitting. When she made her return during the ILH playoffs, it was like an early Christmas.
"The team welcomed me back so well. I couldn't ask for anything more, thank God," she said. "I give my team a lotta credit."
For middle blocker and jack-of-all-trades Spenser Rigg, the title run was simply special. Like Kaui Robello, Rigg was a digging machine in the back row in addition to one of the top blockers in the state.
"This is something I'll remember for the rest of my life," the senior said. "We didn't talk about records, but we made history. Doing it with great people makes it better."
Down under and on top: He may be a long way from Australia. And he certainly isn't within walking distance of his current hometown of Hilo.
It doesn't matter for Emmett Weatherford. The only miles that mattered Friday were the ones on the course at Hawaii Preparatory Academy, where he won the Honolulu Marathon Boys State Cross Country Championship.
For Weatherford, who was considered a contender for the title, it was almost an accidental win. Accidental by design.
"I'm still surprised now and then when I remember the race. I don't know how I pulled it off," the HPA senior said. Neither did a lot of observers who thought Kamehameha's Jeremy Kamakaala would defend his title.
Knowing every inch of the hilly course was a natural advantage for Weatherford, who, like Kamakaala, stands 5-foot-6. Weatherford had won the Big Island championship a week earlier on the same course, setting a new record.
He broke his own mark at the state race with a time of 17 minutes, 21 seconds. "I feel like I peaked at just about the right time. I even managed to improve from the week before by 13 seconds. Having someone right there next to you forces you to go faster," he said, referring to Kamakaala, who finished a quarter-second behind.
Weatherford began running, on his own, when he was a sixth grader living in Australia. His family moved to Hilo three years ago, and since then, he has boarded in the dorms at HPA.
Athletes of the week
BOYS
Emmett Weatherford, Hawaii Prep cross country: Won the Honolulu Marathon Boys State Championship with a 3-mile time of 17:21.65.GIRLS
Lauren Ho, Hawaii Baptist cross country: Won the Honolulu Marathon Girls State Championship with a 2-mile time of 12 minutes, 34.95 seconds.Honor roll
BOWLING, BOYS
Vaseem Anwar, Maryknoll: The ILH's regular-season champion won the Billy Tees State Championship with a total of 1,968 pins at Lihue Lanes.BOWLING, GIRLS
Kristin Tom, Sacred Hearts: Captured the Billy Tees State Championship with a total of 1,751 pins at Lihue Lanes.FOOTBALL
Spencer Hafoka, Kahuku: three receptions, 87 yards vs. Mililani.Nick Rogers, Mililani: five catches, 127 yards vs. Kahuku.
Jinho Tohara, Kealakehe: Rushed for 234 yards in a win over Hilo.
KAYAKING, BOYS
Patrick Dolan, Pac-Five: Won the ILH title in the 250-meter sprint in 56.88 seconds.Eric Abbott, Punahou: Captured the ILH title in the 2,000-meter race in 9:12.62.
KAYAKING, GIRLS
Mele Carr, Punahou: Won the ILH title in the 250-meter sprint in 1 minute, 11.52 seconds.Haili Van Lier Ribbink, Punahou: Captured the ILH title in the 2,000-meter race in 10:42.6.
VOLLEYBALL, BOYS
Jordan Inafuku, Kamehameha: Named Most Outstanding Player at Nissan State Championships.Va'afuti Tavana, Kauai: 11 kills vs. Mililani; 9 kills vs. Waiakea; 11 kills vs. Kahuku.
Garrett Sakimae, Kauai: All-state tournament team.
Kory Matsukado, Kamehameha: All-state tournament team.
Kaohu Berg-Hee, Punahou: All-state tournament team.
Spencer McLachlin, Punahou: All-state tournament team.
Bryce Oliveira, Hana: All-state tournament team; 11 kills and one hitting error vs. Kahuku;
Ioane Spencer, Kealakehe: 12 kills vs. Kahuku; 19 kills vs. Nanakuli.
Ernest Vidinha, Kamehameha: 13 kills vs. Molokai.
Charles Bell, Kahuku: 12 kills vs. Hana.
Aaron Amaral, Nanakuli: 16 kills vs. Kealakehe.
Kealii Frank, Punahou: 10 kills in state title win over Kamehameha.
Preston Duvauchelle-Calairo, Molokai: five aces vs. Kealakehe.
VOLLEYBALL, GIRLS
Tamari Miyashiro, Kalani: Voted Most Outstanding Player of the state tournament; 22 kills vs. Kauai; eight kills, five digs vs. Punahou; 13 kills, 10 digs vs. KS-Hawaii.Pohai Nuuhiwa, Punahou: All-state tournament team; 28 assists, nine digs in title match win over Kamehameha.
Lelani Kleman-Maeva, Aiea: All-state tourney team; 24 kills vs. Hilo; 20 kills vs. Kahuku; 15 kills, nine digs vs. KS-Maui.
Briana Amian, Moanalua: 10 kills (.500), seven digs vs. Baldwin; 12 kills vs. Punahou; 14 kills, eight digs vs. Kahuku.
Danie Hout, Moanalua: All-state tournament team; 10 kills, five digs, three aces vs. KS-Hawaii; 19 kills, five digs, two blocks vs. Kahuku.
Elizabeth Ka'aihue, Punahou: All-state tournament team; nine kills (.471) in title match win over Kamehameha.
Camilla Ah-Hoy, Kahuku: All-state tournament team; 18 kills vs. Kamehameha.
Ane Vea, Kahuku: 16 kills vs. Aiea; 14 kills vs. Kamehameha.
Konae Purcell, Aiea: 18 kills vs. Kahuku.
Leslie Aki, Kamehameha: Three aces vs. Kamehameha-Maui.
Tina Moger, Kauai: 15 kills, four aces vs. Baldwin; 14 kills vs. Hilo.
Kehau Judd, Kauai: 12 kills vs. Baldwin; 16 kills vs. Hilo.
Aneli Cubi-Otineru, Punahou: Eight kills (.700) off the bench vs. Moanalua.
Larissa Nordyke, Punahou: Eight kills, seven digs vs. Moanalua.
Eleu Novokoff, Kamehameha-Maui: 10 kills to help the Warriors post their first win in a state match, a sweep of Aiea.
Kaleinani Kabalis, Hilo: 14 kills, 10 digs vs. Waiakea.
