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Support grows for
Division II state
volleyball tournaments

Seven months ago, a new proposal to create a Division II tourney for volleyball teams was born, almost in emergency mode.

The rushed proposal, initiated by Seabury Hall athletic director Steve Colflesh, was fresh but unfamiliar to his peers at the annual Hawaii Interscholastic Athletic Directors Association conference. The proposal was eventually scratched, but the idea hatched discussion for its supporters, which included Lyle Crozier of Konawaena, Missy Kilbey of Saint Andrew's Priory, Curtis Jackson of Kaahumanu Hou and Lewis Fuddy of Kalaheo.

After their recent meeting in Honolulu, the Hawaii High School Athletic Association's Division II committee departed with confidence. "It was a great meeting. The decision was that we'd go back to our leagues and talk about it. The Division II committee will meet again in March and we'll have a proposal ready for HIADA," said Colflesh, who is also a longtime volleyball coach.

Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in the state, both on the high school and college levels. It is a sport that even the smallest of schools can participate in.

"Every league agrees that's the logical sport. And the one thing still up in the air is how we classify. We'll find some happy middle ground," Colflesh said.

Finding a way to define qualifications for Division I and II teams is one of the biggest factors. It has worked out so far in football, softball and girls basketball.

"After a few years, we'll find a better way. The key is to see, once you get it going, it's probably not going to go away. The key is to get it off the ground, and then iron it out along the way," Colflesh said.

If the proposal is approved by athletic directors at the next HIADA conference in June, volleyball could have a D-II state tourney this fall. "We want to get this done so more kids can experience the tournaments. This is what it's all about. That's what we do this job for," Colflesh added.

Doing the groundwork and extra traveling has been no trouble for the committee members -- two from each league, with the exception of three from the state's largest league, the OIA. "It's OK, whatever it takes," Colflesh said, noting the support of HHSAA executive director Keith Amemiya.

"Keith's always supported the concept," he said.

Cougar volleyball coaching vacancy: Kaiser is seeking applicants for its varsity girls volleyball coaching position.

For more information, call athletic director Ricky Shimokawa at 394-1231.

Owls seek golf coach: Mid-Pacific is searching for an intermediate golf head coach. Résumés can be faxed to 973-5086 or e-mailed to bvilla@midpac.edu. The deadline is Saturday.

Kahuku raids New Mexico State: Red Raider seniors Max Fairclough, B.J. Adolpho, Maveu Heimuli and La'auli Fonoti visited the Aggies' campus over the weekend.

Fairclough is a 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker. Adolpho is a 6-2, 250-pound offensive lineman. Heimuli is a 6-4, 325-pound offensive lineman. Fonoti is a 6-2, 225-pound tight end.

The Aggies join the Western Athletic Conference this fall.

X-Man on rampage: Xiro Naovalath has offensive statistics that are even more eye-popping than his unusual name.

The 5-foot-8 Waianae guard has been a scoring machine in Oahu Interscholastic Association West basketball. He scored 24 at Pearl City, 24 in an upset win over Leilehua, 32 at Radford and 31 against Kapolei.

One coach said Naovalath has tremendously quick hands, resulting in steals at midcourt for plenty of easy layups. But Naovalath also strokes the long-range shot. He nailed five treys against Kapolei.

His feats haven't helped Waianae's win total; the Seariders are 1-3 in the West. There's no question, however, that Naovalath's contributions have made Waianae much more competitive this season.

Pretty good for a Laotian exchange student from snowy Minnesota.

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Athletes of the week

BOYS

Jack Miller, Saint Louis basketball: Scored 27 points in a win over University; tallied 18 in a win over Maryknoll; had 16 points, including eight rebounds on 8-for-8 free-throw shooting in the second half as the Crusaders rallied past Maryknoll 57-46.

GIRLS

Noe Esperas, Kamehameha softball: Hurled a perfect game in the Warriors' 5-0 win over Iolani.

Honor roll

BASKETBALL

Keola Bruhn, Castle: Scored 10 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in a win over Kailua.
Matt Ching, Kaiser: Scored 21 points in a loss to No. 3 Kahuku; had 18 points in a win over Thompson.
Mike Davis, Radford: Scored 20 points, including four treys, in a win over Waianae.
B.J. Fruean, Leilehua: Scored 23 points in a win at Waipahu.
Ikaika Hardie, Kamehameha: Scored 19 points in a win over University.
Keoni Haole, Hanalani: Scored 22 points in a win over Christian/Redemption.
Kaimana Komine, AOP: Scored 22 points in a win over Word of Life.

Kainoa LaCount, Kailua: Scored 19 points in a loss to Farrington.

Spencer McLachlin, Punahou: Scored 19 points against Damien.
Xiro Naovalath, Waianae: Scored 32 points in a loss at Radford; tallied 31 points, including five treys, in a loss to Kapolei.
Jeremiah Ostrowski, Punahou: Scored 19 points in a win over Damien and 19 in a win over University.
Brad Padayao, Kapolei: Scored 23 points in a win over Waianae.
Kyle Pape, Iolani: Scored 26 points, including four treys, in a win over Maryknoll.
Jomar Pedro, Waipahu: Scored 21 against Leilehua.
Zachary Pendergast, Moanalua: Scored 25 points in a win over Kalani.
Justin Suderman, Hanalani: Scored 30 points in a win over Punahou II.
Tyler Tsukazaki, Maryknoll: Scored 22 points in a loss to No. 2 Punahou.
Ernie Vidinha, Pearl City: Scored 19 points, including a game-winning free throw with 1 second left against Aiea.

SOCCER

Charlene Borromeo, Leilehua: Scored four goals in a win over Nanakuli.
Amanda Suiso, Kaiser: Scored three goals in a win over Kaimuki.
Taz Wentling, Waianae: Scored four goals in a win over Campbell.

SOFTBALL

Jessica Akamine, Maryknoll: Hit two triples with four RBIs as the Spartans beat MPI.
Catherine Copeland, Radford: Went 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs in a win over Farrington.
Shanna-Lei Dacanay, Punahou: Went 3-for-3 in a win over Maryknoll; went 3-for-4 with two RBIs in a win over University.
Laua'e Emmsley-Chang, Kamehameha: Went 3-for-4 with an RBI in a win over Sacred Hearts.
Shelby Ford, Kamehameha: Homered and drove in two runs against Sacred Hearts.
Liane Horiuchi, Kamehameha: Homered against Sacred Hearts.
Kalina Kama, Kailua: Hit two doubles and drove in five runs against Kahuku.
Courtney Kessell, Kailua: Struck out 14 in a 7-1 win over Kahuku.
Gail Matsushima, Punahou: Went 2-for-4 with a homer in a win over Iolani; went 3-for-4 with three RBIs against University.
Brianne Pereza-Haynes, Maryknoll: Went 3-for-3 with three RBIs against MPI.
Kaili Smith, Kapolei: Hit a homer and drove in four runs in a win over Waianae.
Adrienne Tanaka, Punahou: Went 2-for-3 with a homer.
Sarah Weisskopf, Punahou: Fired a shutout and went 3-for-4 with two RBIs against Maryknoll.

To nominate ... To nominate an athlete of the week, contact the Star-Bulletin Sports Department by 11 p.m. Sunday: Phone: 529-4782 Fax: 529-4787 E-mail: sports@starbulletin.com