UH-Hilo tennis teams
clinch playoff spots
UH-Hilo’s mens and womens tennis teams each clinched spots in the upcoming NCAA Division II Pacific West Conference playoffs.
Previously, the Vulcans’ mens team was ranked too low to enter the tournament (No.9 of ten) — but after a successful week, which included a 6-1 win over Colorado Mesa, the Vulcans rose to No.8 and will qualify for playoffs.
The championships will be held April 19-22 at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Club in Surprise, Arizona.
Eight of the ten PacWest men’s teams will be in the tournament, while 12 of the 15 women’s teams will make the trip to Arizona. The teams were selected by a panel of PacWest administrators, represented by two members from each geographical pod (eight total).
Womens qualifiers are Academy of Art, Azusa Pacific, Biola, Colorado Mesa, Concordia University Irvine, Dominican University of California, Fresno Pacific, UH-Hilo, HPU, MSU Denver, Point Loma Nazarene and Stanislaus State.
Mens qualifiers are Azusa Pacific, Biola, Concordia University Irvine, Fresno Pacific, UH-Hilo, HPU, MSU Denver and Point Loma Nazarene.
The final seedings for these teams will be announced next Monday, April 17.
For the men, it’s the same eight teams from the 2022 tournament. HPU, Hawai’i Hilo, PLNU and APU have qualified for the 10th time.
For the women, Stanislaus State makes its first appearance since 2019, while HPU qualifies for a conference-record 16th time.
Monday night yields
big volleyball wins
With the regular season winding down, some BIIF boys varsity volleyball teams are still collecting dominant victories.
On Monday night, Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i swept Kea‘au High School in BIIF Division I action.
The Warriors commanded the first two sets by scores of 25-17 and 25-15, before edging the Cougars 25-23 in the third set.
Kullen Pua led KSH with eight kills, an ace and a dig. Kahilikuikalai Paleka trailed with seven kills and an ace, and Lansyn Apigo recorded six kills.
Now 8-0 and leading the Division I standings, the Warriors will host No.3 Waiakea High School on Saturday morning for their next division matchup. In their last meeting, Waiakea took KSH to the fifth set before KSH pulled off a narrow, 16-14 win.
KSH has three remaining regular season outings after Saturday — at Kea‘au on Monday, senior night against Kea‘au two days later and at Waiakea’s senior night that Friday.
While KSH was sweeping the Cougars, No.2 Hilo High School also notched a home sweep — over Kealakehe High School.
The Vikings crushed the Waveriders in sets of 25-13, 25-16 and 25-16 again.
Hilo will conclude its regular season with a Saturday morning match at Kea‘au HS.
Standing at No.2, there is a chance that the Vikings could enter the upcoming playoffs in the No.1 seed if Waiakea can beat KSH in the upcoming games. KSH is 3-0 against Hilo this season, while Hilo is 3-0 against Waiakea.
In Division II action on Monday night, Parker School defeated Honoka‘a High School 3-1.
The Dragons eked out a 26-24 win for the first set, but the Bulls dominated the next three 25-15, 25-17 and 25-15 again.
This home win marked Parker’s last regular season match, and it will now await a playoff seeding.
The Dragons will play their senior game and final regular season match at 5 p.m. Friday against Makua Lani Christian.
