On Wednesday night, four BIIF volleyball matches were played on the isle’s east and north sides — Waiakea versus Kealakehe, KS-Hawai‘i versus Kea‘au, Christian Liberty versus Pahoa and Makua Lani versus Honoka‘a.
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WAIAKEA 3 – KEALAKEHE 0
The Warriors hosted and swept the Waveriders for their second straight 3-0 victory in DI play, improving to a 2-1 record.
Waiakea quickly downed Kealakehe, winning straight sets of 25-12, 25-12 and 25-10.
The dominant win happened despite the absence of two of the Warriors’ top players, who suffered injuries during the Labor Day tournament last weekend at KSH.
“The girls have really been working hard,” WHS head coach Laura Thompson said. “We were down a couple players due to injuries, but the rest of the team stepped up — and in the second and the third set, we got to get all of the girls in, so that was exciting too.
“Some old injuries flared up for them, so they’ll be down this week, but hopefully back next week.”
One of the players who stepped up and made an impact was sophomore Natalee Kahauolopua, who played in place of an injured Sadie Calma.
“She’s been setting only part time, but our other setter is one of our injured players,” Thompson said. “Natalee had to set all the way around. She was a little bit nervous, but she had fun doing it.”
Tonight at 5 p.m. (JV, varsity follows), Waiakea will host Hilo HS for the pair’s first of two encounters this season.
“I’m hoping the injuries don’t affect the game,” Thompson said. “I know the girls are excited for it — because, of course, Hilo’s a really strong competitor. I think we’re a little nervous because we have to change our lineup a little bit because of the injuries, but we’re hoping for the best.”
Tonight will be only the second outing of the season for the Vikings, who will be hungry for a win after getting swept by KSH during their season opener last week.
Now 0-2, the Waveriders will have some time off. At 6 p.m. Tuesday, they will host Hilo.
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KSH 3 – KEA‘AU 0
With Wednesday’s win over Kea‘au, KSH has already swept every other BIIF DI competitor — moving to 4-0 in BIIF play, and 12-1 when counting its eight wins at last weekend’s invitational tourney.
The Warriors crushed the Cougars in sets of 25-7, 25-11, and 25-7.
Shay Beals led KSH’s offense with eight kills, also notching seven digs. Though she is usually an offensive force, Maela Honma hung back and played defense — recording nine digs to tie with Ziona Launiu as KSH’s defensive leader. Launia had eight assists, trailing Hali‘imaileauli‘I Kuamo‘o’s 21 assists.
Kealohi Dudoit notched a whopping five aces — followed by Honma with four, as well as Carmen Otake and Madison Rose Marsh with two each.
At 6p.m. on Tuesday, KSH will begin its second slate of DI outings — hosting Waiakea.
Kea‘au will have some time to recuperate from the blowout, and will host Hilo on Thursday (Sept. 14).
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HONOKA‘A 3 – MAKUA LANI 0
The Dragons evened their record, moving to 1-1 in DII play with a sweep of Makua Lani Christian — as the Lions fell to 0-2.
MLC fell in straight sets of 25-12, 25-21 and 25-8.
The Lions will pursue their first victory Wednesday on the road at Ka‘u HS.
The Dragons will head down the coast tonight to face St. Joseph School at 6 p.m. at the Hilo Armory.
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PAHOA 3 – CLA 0
The Daggers outlasted the Canefire to get in the win collumn.
Pahoa prevailed in sets of 25-22, 25-12 and 28-26.
The Daggers will host Konawaena tonight at 5 p.m., and the Canefire will play away against Ka Umeke 10 a.m. Saturday at Kawananakoa Gym.
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JV SCORES
Ehunui 2 – Honokaa 0 (25-10, 25-17)
Waiakea 2 – Kealakehe 0 (25-14, 25-14)
KSH 2 – Keaau 0 (25-14, 25-0)
BIIF DI Standings
1. KSH 4-0
2. Waiakea 2-1
3. Hilo 0-1
T4. Kealakehe 0-2
T4. Kea‘au 0-2
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BIIF DII STANDINGS (as of afternoon Thurs., Sept. 7)
T1. HPA 2-0
T1. Parker 2-0
T1. Laupahoehoe 2-0
T4. Ka‘u 1-0
T4. Konawaena 1-0
T4. Kohala 1-0
T7. Honoka‘a 1-1
T7. Pahoa 1-1
9. Ka Umeke 0-1
T10. SJS 0-2
T10. CLA 0-2
T10. Makua Lani 0-2
T10. Kanu 0-2
