KEALAKEHE — Third-seeded (East) Hilo girls volleyball drove to the Kona side over the weekend for one objective — advance to the semifinals of the Central Pacific Bank/Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division I Tournament. On Saturday’s opening-round match against No. 2 (West) Kealakehe, the Vikings did just that.
Hilo won in straight sets inside the Waveriders’ gymnasium, officially punching its ticket to the semifinals at 6 p.m. tonight against No. 1 (East) Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i in Kea‘au. Saturday was the first meeting of the season between the two schools.
Hilo opened the first set with a 12-5 lead thanks to strong serving by junior outside hitter Malu-Lani Tandal — forcing Kealakehe to call an early timeout. The Vikings’ strong serves continued, as senior outside hitter Hi‘ilei Iliwa‘alani helped close the 25-11 set win out of the timeout.
Much of the same continued in the third set, as Hilo continued to play team volleyball to produce good hitting looks at the net.
The Vikings routinely attacked the left and right side of the net — often overwhelming the ‘Riders with their powerful hits. Hilo also gave maximum effort on the other side of the floor, as junior Maya Robello led the defensive charge by constantly diving to the floor for 50/50 balls.
Kealakehe put up a better fight in the second frame, but the Vikings walked away with a 25-17 win.
Hilo closed out the match by hanging its hat on the defensive side, as Robello and junior setter Anolani Santos blocked a number of ‘Riders’ spike attempts at the net. After putting itself in an early-set deficit, Kealakehe marched back midway through the frame to make things interesting, but the Vikings stuck to their principles and won 25-13 to advance.
The ‘Riders finished the season 7-10 — much improved from a year ago.
Waiakea 3, Kea‘au 0
In Saturday’s second BIIF Division I quarterfinal match, No. 2 (East) Waiakea girls volleyball hosted No. 4 (East) Kea‘au in Hilo. The Warriors handled business quickly, ending the Cougars season in three sets — 25-17, 25-6 and 25-15. It was the third occurrence in which Waiakea beat Kea‘au this season.
The Warriors improved to 14-3, advancing to tonight’s semifinal match against No. 1 (West) Konawaena inside Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium. First serve is slated for 6 p.m. It will be the two teams’ first match against one another since the 2022 season.
The Cougars finished 2024 at 7-10.
Honoka‘a 3, LCPCS 0
No. 4 (West) Honoka‘a girls volleyball advanced in the BIIF DII Tournament after a straight-sets victory over No. 3 (East) Laupahoehoe on Saturday morning on the Hamakua Coast. The Dragons handled the Seasiders in straight sets — 25-11, 25-12 and 25-22. It was the first meeting between the schools this season.
With the win, Honoka‘a (9-8) advanced to the BIIF DII quarterfinal round against Parker at 6 p.m. tonight inside Waimea District Park Gymnasium. The two teams are quite familiar with one another, as the Bulls have beaten the Dragons twice in straight sets this season.
Laupahoehoe closed 2024 with a 4-13 record.
Parker 3, Ka Umeke 0
No. 2 (West) Parker and No. 5 (East) Ka Umeke girls volleyball met for the first time this season Saturday at Waimea District gym — battling for a spot in the BIIF DII quarterfinal tonight against Honoka‘a. The Bulls won convincingly in three sets — 25-7, 25-14, and 25-23.
Parker moved to 15-2, while Ka Umeke ended its season winless at 0-17.
Kohala 3, CLA 0
No. 3 (West) Kohala girls volleyball hosted Christian Liberty Academy on Saturday in Kapa‘au for its first-round BIIF DII matchup, and the Cowgirls made the opportunity worthwhile. Kohala won in three quick sets to advance to tonight’s quarterfinal round — 25-11, 25-15 and 25-10. It was the first match in which the two schools clashed in 2024.
West Hawaii Today and Hawaii Tribune-Herald were unable to obtain the results of No. 5 (West) Ehunui against hosting No. 2 (East) Pahoa in Saturday’s BIIF DII first-round matchup by Monday’s deadline. The winner will face the 10-7 Cowgirls in Kapa‘au tonight. If any readers know the victor between the ‘Io and Daggers, please email clangs@westhawaiitoday.com.
The eliminated Canefire ended the season at 2-15.