This fall’s volleyball season has been competitive to the very end, and Thursday night’s cross-town rivalry bout between Hilo High School and Waiakea High School was the ultimate proof of that.
Despite already having cemented their playoff berths — and being scheduled to face each other again next week in the Central Pacific Bank/BIIF DI semifinals — neither the Vikings nor the Warriors took Thursday’s matchup lightly, fighting through the fifth set in front of a packed house.
Despite the Warriors putting forth one of their best performances of the season, Hilo came out on top 3-2 — concluding its senior night and regular season with its third straight victory.
The Vikings got ahead early, winning the first set 25-15. Though the frame began neck-and-neck through the single digits, Hilo pulled away — defended by the digging of Malu-Lani Tandal and Victoria-Irene Wassman and propelled by the hitting of Kaliko Kealoha.
During the second set, the Warriors established a short lead early. Though Hilo tied the score multiple times, Waiakea pulled away in the end to win 25-19. The winning point was scored on an ace by Natalee Kahauolopua. Ultimately, it was the durability of WHS’ defense — powered by Lexie Uchima, Sadie Calma and Klaresajane Sivas — which won the set, as Hilo committed several errors when the Warriors returned balls which the Vikings did not expect them to.
Hilo got back in the lead by winning the third set 25-21, breaking away after the score swung back and forth through most of the set. The Vikings’ front line — staffed by Kealoha, Kira Alameda, Kauluwena Aiona, Kamaleimahie Auwae and Kerstin Lee Verece — was critical to its success, stifling Waiakea’s offense with blocks and coming through with numerous kills.
Depsite the Vikings leading through most of the fourth set, Waiakea persevered through extra points and won it 27-25. Down 25-24, Sivas and Kdynse Apaka made a big block to tie the score. During the next play, WHS’ Madisen Kodani made a diving dig near the back of the court — Calma then set for Sivas, who spiked to Hilo’s blockers, who double-touched to put Waiakea in the lead. After a timeout, Apaka served an ace for the win.
The Warriors established a small, early lead as the Vikings struggled with communication and Calma went for their throats — scoring three straight points on a kill and back-to-back aces. A kill by Toryn Ono extended WHS’ lead to 8-3.
After some errors and a block by Apaka and Sivas, Waiakea was up 10-4. With the game beginning to escape them, the Vikings demonstrated their grit — allowing the Warriors only one more point while scoring 11 to win 15-11, with seven straight points scored with Auwae at the service line.
Hilo’s front line and libero Tinai Liusa debilitated Waiakea’s hitting, making saves and allowing Wassman to set for Kealoha — whose hitting boosted the Vikings’ score. Tied 11-11, an error by Waiakea and an ace served by Auwae put Hilo up 13-11. The Vikings reached match point after WHS failed to block a spike by Kealoha, who then smashed down another spike in the center of Waiakea’s side of the court to end the game.
The JV game also contained similar intensity, with Hilo winning 32-30 and 25-17.
The Vikings and Warriors will meet again 6 p.m. Thursday at Hilo HS for the BIIF DI semifinals.
