KEALAKEHE — In a nailbiting match of back-and-forth affairs, Kealakehe boys volleyball was able to prevail over Kea‘au on Saturday in four sets at home — beating the Cougars for the second time this season.
Mental lapses on the Waveriders’ side gave Kea‘au the opening-set victory of 25-19. Kealakehe evened the match with a 25-20 second-set win, but Kea‘au answered right back with a narrow 25-23 win in the third frame.
However, the Waveriders turned the corner in the fourth set thanks to outside hitters Kekona Ulu and Maliki Ferrell’s spikes near the net — giving the Cougars effectively no answer. Waveriders’ setter Andrew Warren additionally helped give his teammates a multitude of open looks for kills around the net. With Kealakehe’s offense in full rhythm coupled with its strong blocking defense, the Waveriders were able to comfortably win the set, 25-15.
In the fifth and final frame, Kealakehe was able to carry over its strong play from the preceding set to win 15-8 — officially closing the match with a victory.
Now at 3-3 and sitting in third in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division I standings at midseason, the Waveriders will look to keep riding their built momentum against division rival KS-Hawai‘i at 6 p.m. tonight in Kea‘au.
The Cougars (1-6) sit near the cellar of DI, and will also next play the Warriors at 6 p.m. Tuesday at home.
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KONA 3 – MLCA 0
Konawaena boys volleyball made quick work of Makua Lani on Saturday night in Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium — beating the Lions in straight sets by scores of 25-10, 28-26 and 25-13. The Wildcats remained unbeaten in 2024 with a 7-0 record. MLCA dropped to 0-8.
Kona will next face Hawaii Prep at 6 p.m. tonight in Castle Gym, while the Lions will next share the court with Kanu at 10 a.m. Saturday at Old Airport.
JV score: Kona 26, HPA 24; Kona 25, HPA 17
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KOHALA 3 – KANU 0
Kohala boys volleyball took care of business handedly against Kanu o ka ‘Aina in straight sets on Friday night in Kapaau — 25-12, 25-22 and 25-22. The Cowboys improved to 4-2, earning their second win of the week after beating Ka Umeke on Tuesday.
Kanu fell to 1-7 after its third matchup of the week.
Looking to add to its win streak, Kohala will next play Honoka‘a at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Dragons’ gymnasium.
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HPA 3 – MLCA 0
Hawaii Preparatory Academy boys volleyball beat Makua Lani Christian Academy in straight sets Thursday night in Waimea’s Castle Gym — 25-8, 25-15 and 25-20.
Ka Makani improved to 3-2 on the season, breaking a .500 record. The Lions are still winless at 0-7.
HPA will next play west-side rival Konawaena at 6 p.m. tonight in Castle Gym, while Makua Lani next takes the court against Kanu at 10 a.m. Saturday at Old Airport.
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PAHOA 3 – HONOKA‘A 2
BIIF DII powerhouse Pahoa boys volleyball edged Honoka‘a in a match Thursday night in Pahoa town — winning in five sets to earn its fifth win of 2024.
The Daggers won the first set 25-21, but the Dragons responded with a 25-13 rout in the second and a 25-21 victory in the third frame. Pahoa righted the ship by winning the final two sets of the night — 25-23 and 15-8.
The Daggers (5-1) will next face Christian Liberty Academy at 6 p.m. tonight at home. Honoka‘a (3-3) will try to rise above .500 with its next outing against Kohala. First serve is slated for 6 p.m. Tuesday on the Dragons’ home floor.
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OTHER MATCHES
West Hawaii Today and Hawaii Tribune-Herald could not obtain the results from the following weekend matches by Saturday evening, April 6. For any readers who may know the results, please email clangs@westhawaiitoday.com or cwhitt@hawaiitribune-herald.com:
4/6 Ka‘u at Kanu