By KEVIN JAKAHI
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
All the pieces fit for Honokaa senior Tehane Reynolds to sign and play volleyball with Centralia College.
The 5-foot-5 setter’s best friend is there, her sister Tiana Reynolds, a 2014 Hawaii Prep graduate, though it’s a bittersweet deal.
Tehane knows she can only play one season with Tiana, who is already looking at transferring to a four-year college in Oregon. They played together for three years at HPA.
“I’m bummed about that, but at least I get to play with her in her sophomore year,” said Tehane, who has a 4.0 grade-point average and will major in nursing.
She had offers from Tacoma Community College, where Keaau senior Erleen Oguma is headed, and Shoreline Community College, where 2014 Ka‘u graduate Kamalani Fujikawa is playing.
Centralia, Tacoma and Shoreline are all members of the Northwest Athletic Conference. Centralia and Tacoma are in the West division, so they annually compete against each other.
When Tehane and Oguma play their reunion game in college for the next two years, they can reminisce about old BIIF wounds.
Before the lava threat, Oguma was at Pahoa, which fell to Honokaa in four sets in the BIIF’s third-place for the league’s last spot to the HHSAA Division II state tournament.
In a feel-good moment for both, at least Tehane and Oguma were named to the All-BIIF D-II first team.
Besides Tiana’s presence, Tehane pointed to Centralia’s campus surrounding as a major plus.
“I really like the area. It’s like Waimea,” said Tehane, who visited the school last November. “It’s someplace I can see myself living a whole year without my parents or sister.”
She went with her dad, Martin Reynolds, and watched the Blazers play a pair of games. Tehane also met and practiced with the team.
Tehane had sent out video to colleges, but the in-person practice helped seal the same college scholarship package as her sister: 65 percent athletic ride and the rest covered by work-study.
All her parents, Martin and Nicky Reynolds, have to fork over is rent. It’s also a double bonus for Tehane because Tiana’s old roommate, the starting setter from Oahu is leaving — offering a place to stay and a chance to start.
Tiana was the L1, the first-rotation left-side hitter, for the Blazers, who finished 4-28, including 1-13 in the NWAC.
However, they had just two sophomores, including starting setter Mercy Puni from Nanakuli High, on a roster with 10 freshmen.
“I’m overly excited that I get to play with my sister again. I’m excited to see how much she’s grown as a player,” Tiana said. “I can’t wait to see her succeed as a freshman next year. I believe she’ll bring a ton of great aspects to our team, and be an important asset.”
Nicky Reynolds started the Pookela club team with players from Honokaa and Waimea. It’s keeping Tehane in shape, and she can work on her blocking, which produced a highlight on her campus visit.
“The coach (Susan Gordon) liked my vocal skills, court awareness and how I played,” Tehane said. “I got a chance to play against Tiana in a scrimmage. She wasn’t too concerned because we’ve played our whole lives together. But I actually blocked her. I was kind of surprised.
“Playing volleyball is something I enjoy doing every day. It teaches you life lessons, working hard and being humble. I’m looking forward to playing with Tiana again. It’s something new to play with her in college. We’ve played together all our lives, and it’s most likely our last time playing together.”
Still, at least their parents get a two-for-one deal, being able to watch both daughters, when they fly over to catch games. The school’s website also streams games live.
“You don’t hear this too often to have sisters playing on the same team for college,” Nicky Reynolds said. “It’s been a dream for both of them because they are best friends on and off the court. I am happy and proud of both of them.”
Kaupu an all-star
Centralia sophomore forward Courtney Kaupu, a 2013 Konawaena graduate, was named to the NWAC basketball first team.
In her final season of eligibility for the Blazers, the 5-9 Kaupu is averaging 11.2 points per game on 52 percent shooting, and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Centralia (25-4, 14-2 conference) plays Columbia Basin (18-10, 10-4) in the first round of the NWAC tournament on Saturday.
The Blazers have won their last four games.
To submit an On Scholarship candidate, email kjakahi@hawaiitribune-herald.com.