BIIF boys volleyball action saw an intense pair of Division-II and Division-I matchups on Tuesday night.
CLA 3 – HONOKA‘A 2
Christian Liberty Academy’s boys varsity volleyball team got its first win of the season in five-set fashion, beating home standing Honoka‘a High on Tuesday night in Hamakua.
The Dragons drew first blood, narrowly winning the first set 25-23 — but the Canefire struck back, dominating HHIS 25-11 in the second frame.
Honoka‘a regained its lead with another slim win, 25-22 in the third set.
With the game on the line, CLA prevailed by the same score in the fourth set — then claimed the victory with a 15-11 fifth-set win.
The Canefire (1-1) has played five sets in both of its outings so far this season, falling 3-2 to Parker School (3-0) last week at home.
CLA has a lengthy break before its next test — which is slated for March 30 at home against Kohala High (1-0).
Now off to a 0-1 start, the Dragons will play their next outing and first road test on Saturday at Ka‘u High. Saturday will be the first of three consecutive away games on Honoka‘a’s upcoming schedule. The Dragons’ next home game is March 27 against Kanu ‘o ka ‘Aina Charter (0-3).
St. Joseph School’s JV team also played Tuesday at HHIS, defeating the Dragons’ JV squad 2-0 (25-21, 25-11).
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KSH 3 – WAIAKEA 1
After a big weekend of preseason tournament play, the two Warrior schools jumped right into BIIF action — as home standing Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i defeated Waiakea High 3-1 on Tuesday in Puna.
KSH stayed in control from early on, winning the first two sets 25-18 and 25-15. Waiakea did not cave, and stayed in the game with a third-set, 25-20 win — but KSH closed it out, dominating the fourth frame 25-13.
KSH’s offense was led by a group effort — helmed by Loheau Boshard with nine kills, Kahili Paleka with eight, Kaha‘i Helm with seven, as well as Kawohi Huihui and Nainoa Paio with six kills each.
Kalena Launiu notched 17 assists, and Lansyn Apigo led KSH’s defense with 13 digs.
KSH (1-0) will be back in action Saturday morning at home against Kealakehe High. Waiakea’s next matchup is also against the Waveriders, on Tuesday in Kona.
JV score: KSH 2-0 (25-10, 25-21).