Grade AA performance for Hilo

By BILL O’REAR

Tribune-Herald sports editor

Pumped-up Hemolele fought past RZN 25-23, 25-23 to claim the men’s AA division championship of the 55th Haili Volleyball Tournament on Saturday afternoon.

About 2,800 fans watched the exciting men’s and women’s AA finals on dual courts at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, capping a weeklong amateur tournament that attracted 126 youth and adult teams from Hawaii and one each from American Samoa and Canada.

In the exciting women’s AA finale, the unbeaten S’Hawaiians defeated HI Intensity of Oahu 25-23, 25-15. The multitalented champions were led by former University of Hawaii standouts Kanani Danielson and Aneli Cubi-Otineru.

Hemolele, a Hilo team consisting of players from Big Island Roots and Oahu’s Quiksets, used its dominating hitting and blocking and overall solid play to deny Oahu’s RZN a shot at capturing the title in the highly competitive division. In winning the championship, Hemolele became the first Hilo team to pocket the AA title in the tournament’s long history, according to longtime USAVB official Elroy Osorio.

Hemolele rode the strong play of outside hitters Andrew Dunn and Isaiah Ekau and versatile setter Shawn Pacquing as well as potent hitting and blocking of Keahi Warfield, Wendell “Sammy” Kaehuaea and Ikaika Marzo to fight off hustling RZN. Last year, RZN finished runner-up behind Kailua VBC, which opted to not return this year to defend its crown.

RZN, led by former UH libero and Waiakea High School star Cory Enriques, Rory Brandt and Ernie Vidinha, battled through each game. But with the match in the balance late, Hemolele seemed to weather the pressure and come up with the critical point or save to remain in the lead and finally close out the high-intensity match. RZN also got a spark from four other former Big Island prep standouts, Kamehameha’s Mason Waugh and Isaac DeGuzman and Waiakea’s Ryan Tsuji and Gordon Lacy.

Hemolele’s Andrew Dunn was named the men’s AA division’s most outstanding player while Ava Samoa’s Marvin Iosefa earned the most valuable player award.

They were joined on the tournament all-stars by Hemolele’s Ekau and Pacquing, Lil’ Braddahs’ Mark Osorio and Jay Hanagami, RZN’s Enriques and Ava Samoa’s Setoa Masoe. CUDAGS earned the division’s team sportsmanship award.

Lil’ Braddahs edged Ava Samoa 25-17, 25-17 for third place.

“It feels great to finally win the men’s AA championship for this region,” Kaehuaea said. “Our team really came together and played well. We’ve been close before, but it feels really good to finally do it, especially before a big, supportive crowd and all of our family and friends.”

In the women’s AA final, the hard-hitting Danielson and Aneli Cubi-Otineru provided the firepower and their teammates turned in a solid all-around performances to lead the S’Hawaiians to the 25-23, 25-15 win over HI Intensity of Honolulu.

Danielson was selected the division’s MOP and HI Intensity’s Deven Bukoski the MVP. They were joined on the all-stars by the S’Hawaiians’ Aneli Cubi-Otineru and Nia Tuitele, Hilo VBC’s Hillary Hurley, Karma’s Kawena Cubi-Otineru, and HI Intensity’s Andrea Reagan and Poli Olevao. The team sportsmanship award was presented to Hottys.

Hilo VBC defeated Karma (Hilo) 25-19, 26-24 for third place.

—In the men’s A division final, Islandwide from America Samoa topped Oahu’s Ka Ulukoa 25-22, 25-23 in another hard-fought match. The champions were cheered on by a loud group of fans, including one beating a drum as their talented squad pulled out the thrilling win.

Islandwide’s Mikaele Salvation was named the MOP and Ka Ulukoa’s John Atger-Wan the MVP. They were joined on the all-stars by Islandwide’s Kelvin Lotovale and Faalialia Mauigoa, Ka Ulukoa’s James Agpoon and Reid Pangelinan, and Strictly Locals’ Jarrett Fujita and Austin Zavala. Pueo was presented the team sportsmanship award.

Strictly Local (Oahu) downed Spikers (Oahu) 25-16, 25-19 for third place.

— In the women’s A division final, LAC Jammers (Oahu) defeated HI Life (Oahu) 19-22, 24-21, 15-11 in a time-limit match.

HI Life’s Anastasia Fogatu was chosen the MOP and the Jammers’ Harlee Meyers the MVP. They were joined on the all-stars by the Spikers’ Delores Alaimaleata, HI Life’s Filomena Vaana and Chelsea Sadamoto, Kiakahi’s Shawn Wisneski and the Jammers’ Kehaulani Punzal and Ashley Johnson. HI Life was given the team sportsmanship award.

Kiakahi (Kauai) beat Spikers (Oahu) for third place 25-10, 22-25, 15-12.

— In the men’s B division final, Hilo’s All Attitude topped Stoked (Oahu) 25-23, 25-13 for the crown.

All Attitude’s Albert Pacheco was selected the MOP and Stoked’s Kamuela Kalehuawele the MOP. They were joined on the all-stars by All Attitude’s Donovan Roque and Maka Tandal, Stoked’s Alan Kissinger, Southside’s Daniel Grant-Johnson, and 808 Frixion’s Michael Tabarejo and Julian York. KKVC Ovahs was presented the team sportsmanship award.

808 Frixion (Oahu) edged Southside Red (Big Island) 22-25, 25-22, 15-13 for third place.——_

—In the women’s B final, Against All Odds (Oahu) rallied past Nonaz 17-13, 20-23, 15-13 in a time-limit match.

Mele Stoner of Against All Odds was chosen the MOP and Keirsa Pakani-Tsukiyama (Nonaz) the MVP. They were joined on the all-stars by Against All Odds’ Marilyn Abalos and Tina Piedad, Nonaz’s Jadelynn Domondon and Carina Verhulsdonk, Kamalii’s Jamie Iwata and Pa’ahana’s Cassie Chun-Ming. Kalapana earned the team sportsmanship award.

Kamalii (Oahu) defeated Pa’ahana 23-20, 20-15 for third place.

— In the women’s masters division final, Keaukaha Cuzins beat Red Star 26-24, 23-18 in a time-limit match.

Lisa Pana-Huanga of Keaukaha Cuzins was named the MOP and Red Star’s Rhonda Pangelnan the MVP. They were joined on the all-stars by No Pressure’s Ketura Waiki, Red Star’s Dale Navalta and Elena Song, Pa’ahana’s Tina Kepa and Keaukaha Cuzins’ Tammy Spaar and April Pana. Puakenekene was presented the team sportsmanship award.

No Pressure topped Pa’ahana 24-19, 24-20 for third place.

— In the women’s golden masters division final, Haili battled past Puakenekene (Oahu) 24-19, 24-20 in a time-limit match.

Haili’s Nalani Viveiros was chosen the MOP and teammate Cindy Galieto the MVP in the two-team division. They were joined on the all-stars by Haili’s Terry Maltere, Penny Aipoalani and Mei Ling Bailado and Puakenekene’s Cythia Malani, Pauline Ah Choy and Ellen Wagatsuma. Puakenekene earned the team sportsmanship award.

— In the girls juniors 18s division final, HI Intensity Hilo defeated Keaukaha Cuzins 25-22, 25-21 earlier in the week at Hilo Civic.

HI Intensity Pink edged Ho ‘opa 25-20, 25-21 for third place.

— In the girls 16s division final, Piopio Bears Pa’ani Pono fought past HI Intensity Black 26-24, 16-25, 15-7. HI Intensity Pink downed HI Intensity Hilo 25-20, 25-22 for third place.

— In the girls 14s division final, Keaukaha Cuzins beat Piopio Bears Polu 24-26, 25-18, 15-13. HI Intensity Black edged Piopio Bears Mana’olana Blue 25-20, 25-18 for third place.

— In the boys 12s division final, Keaukaha VBC topped Piopio Bears Halah 25-14, 14-25, 15-8. HIVA rallied past Keaukaha Cuzins 25-15, 24-26, 15-8 for third place.

—In the girls 12s division final, HI Intensity Black beat Keaukaha Cuzins 27-25, 25-22. Na Wahine O Hilo edged Piopio Bears Mana’olana 25-21, 25-21 for third place.

— In the coed 10s division final, Keaukaha Cuzins White defeated Piopio Bears Mana’olana 26-24, 18-25, 15-11. Na Wahine O Hilo downed Keaukaha Cuzins Black 25-11, 25-12 for third place.

Net notes: The 55th Haili Volleyball Tournament wrapped up Saturday night with the annual awards luau at Hilo Civic.

Despite a lower number of teams (126) this year than in the past, the tournament drew solid crowds all week, including well over 2,500 fans on Friday night and during Saturday’s championship round. Haili officials said the lower team total may have been a combination of the struggling economy and that the national tournament will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, this year and a lot of teams are planning on going.

Teams from throughout the state and one each from America Samoa and Canada participated as well as volunteer officials from Hawaii, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Darrell Pakele, a former Hilo High multisport athlete, lives in Connecticut and officiates volleyball matches on the mainland. He returned to Hilo this week to work the Haili.

“It’s really nice to come back and visit,” Pakele said. “I miss Hilo but with a daughter now at UH-Manoa, we’re going to try to come back a little more often. And if I can, I always want to come back and help in the Haili.”

“It’s been a wonderful week,” said Lyndell Lindsey, the tournament’s co-director along with her sister, Sweetie Osorio. “We had some outstanding games, lots of fellowship and so many dedicated volunteers that keep coming out to make the Haili a success. We feel truly blessed to be able to put on the tournament and provide the sport of volleyball with this unique experience. We want to thank everyone for their help and we hope to see everyone again next year.”