There was plenty of BIIF volleyball action to go around on Wednesday night, with five matches played around the isle.
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KA‘U 3 – KANU ‘O KA ‘AINA 0
Now at an 8-0 record, Ka‘u HS’ volleyball team has been unstoppable in BIIF DII — barreling over Kanu o‘ ka ‘Aina Charter 3-0 on Wednesday. The Trojans won in straight sets of 25-9, 25-5 and 25-5 again.
Arguably the biggest win of the season for Ka‘u was on Saturday, when it defeated Hawaii Prep 3-1 (28-26, 18-25, 25-23 and 25-16).
With just three matches left, the Trojans have a shot at making this a perfect season.
On Saturday morning, Ka‘u will play away at St. Joseph (2-5).
The Trojans’ final home game will be Wednesday, Oct. 11 against Ka Umeke Ka‘eo Charter. Ka‘u will then end its season on the road at Honoka‘a HS (4-3).
Kanu has had a rough go at its inaugural season in the BIIF, now sitting at 0-8.
However, a win may still be in the cards for Kanu. On Saturday morning, it will host Makua Lani Christian — which is also winless at 0-7.
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KSH 3 – WAIAKEA 1
Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i stayed undefeated, but had to fight hard to get a 3-1 victory at Waiakea HS’ final regular season home game.
The first match started off close, with the score neck-and-neck through the single digits. As time progressed, KSH pulled ahead and built a sizeable lead to win 25-16.
KSH won even bigger in the second set, 25-9 — but Waiakea persevered and won the third set 25-16, KSH’s second BIIF-play set loss on the season. The match nearly went to five sets, with KSH narrowly winning the fourth set 25-23.
The match was won on defense, with KSH recording a whopping total of 108 digs throughout the match. Kealohi Dudoit led with 25, followed by Maela Honma with 16, Ziona Launiu and Hali‘imaileauli‘I Kuamo‘o with 15 each and Shay Beals with 13 — the remaining 26 digs were recorded by a combination of six other players.
Keanu Huihui led KSH’s front line defense with four blocks.
Honma led KSH’s offense with 10 kills, and Kuamo‘o notched 20 assists.
Now 10-0 in BIIF DI play and 20-5 when including invitational tournaments, KSH has only three regular-season BIIF outings remaining. Its next match will be its final home game — 6 p.m. Monday against Hilo HS. KSH will end its season on the road Wednesday (Oct. 4) at Kealakehe HS.
At 4-5 in BIIF play, Waiakea will conclude its regular season at Kea‘au HS on Oct.6.
JV score — KSH 2 – Waiakea 0 (25-14, 25-21).
It has a been a long but rewarding season for KSH, who have been taking on invitational tournaments between dominating BIIF competition.
The hard-fought success has been fulfilling to the team’s coaches and players.
“I like it,” KSH head coach Guy Enriques said. “The kids have worked hard to be here, so it’s rewarding.”
The Warriors traveled to a national-level invitational tournament in Las Vegas, Nev. last week, and are now gearing up to head to another invitational tournament next week in southern California.
Jumping between states and handling business at home has proven fruitful, but also tiring at times.
“We’re taking some toll,” Enriques said. “We had a couple sick kids on the way up, so that didn’t help, and it passed around. We’re on the recovery right now.”
If the Warriors can win these last three regular season games, it will be their fifth straight lossless regular season.
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CLA 3 – SJS 1
The Canefire notched its second straight win, outlasting St. Joseph School at home.
The match was closely contested, with CLA winning the first two sets 25-20 and 29-27 before SJS won the third 25-17. The Canefire then ended things and notched their first home court victory by winning the fourth set 25-20.
CLA is now 2-6 after a 0-6 start to the season. The Canfire could even make it a hattrick with their next match — away at Makua Lani Christian (0-7) on Tuesday (Oct. 3).
CLA’s final home game will be the following Wednesday (Oct. 11) against Honoka‘a.
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HPA 3 – LAUPAHOEHOE 0
Hawaii Prep bounced back after falling to Ka‘u in four frames last weekend — routing Laupahoehoe in straight sets by scores of 25-4, 25-7 and 25-16. The Seasiders gave Ka Makani a run for its money in the final set, but HPA’s offensive firepower proved to be too much.
Ka Makani (7-1) currently sits second in BIIF DII after the win — one game behind undefeated Ka‘u.
HPA will next turn its attention to Ka Umeke — playing 6 p.m. tonight at Hilo High School.
Laupahoehoe (3-5) will return home to take on St. Joseph at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
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PARKER 3 – KA UMEKE 0
Parker downed Ka Umeke in straight sets at the Kealakehe HS gym — 25-7, 25-13 and 25-13. The Bulls moved to 6-2 on the season while Ka Umeke fell to 1-6.
With the win, Parker jumped a half-game ahead of Kohala for sole ownership of fourth place in BIIF DII.
The Bulls will next be tested against Honoka‘a at 10 a.m. Saturday at home. Ka Umeke will take on HPA at 6 p.m. tonight at Hilo High School.
On Wednesday (Oct. 4) at 5 p.m. Ka Umeke will host Kanu at Kawananakoa Gym.