HILO — Waiakea girls volleyball’s season ended Monday afternoon in an HHSAA opening-round match against visiting Kalaheo in the Warriors’ gymnasium.
The Mustangs were victorious in five competitive sets after trailing 2-0, and will advance to play second-seeded Moanalua on Thursday night.
Waiakea won the first set 25-19 after an inspiring team effort on both sides of the ball — led by Mercedes Murray and Natalee Kahauolopua. But the second set was a battle, as both schools played down to the wire. Tied at 23-23, Murray notched a kill off an assist from Kahauolopua, followed by an attack error from the Mustangs to give the hosts the 25-23 set win.
But the third frame is where Kalaheo (11-4) began its come-from-behind victory. Through a concerted team effort, the Mustangs trounced the Warriors 25-9 to avoid the sweep. In set No. 4, Kalaheo got off to a quick 6-0 lead that was kept for the entirety of the frame — ultimately winning 25-21 after a set-clinching kill from Jazahlei Satele-Filifili.
The decisive fifth set was a close one, as the Mustangs held a 14-10 lead late. Waiakea responded with three straight points to force a timeout. However, an attack error from Kalia Leialohi gave Kalaheo the match-sealing point to advance in the tournament.
As a team, the Mustangs posted 62 kills and 73 digs. Jordan Kekauoha-Viena and Jazahlei and Jadalynn Satele-Filifili combined for 50 kills. Brooke Kearsley and Jadalynn Satele-Filifili combined for 53 of Kalaheo’s 58 assists. The winning team had two blocks in total.
Murray led the Warriors with 17 kills, followed by teammate Klaresajane Sivas with 15. In total, Waiakea had 52 kills. Kahauolopua dished out a match-high 46 assists. Collectively, the group had six blocks and 64 digs.
The Warriors end their season at 16-5 overall, finishing second in Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division I.
KSK 3, Konawaena 0
After finishing third overall in BIIF Division I, Konawaena girls volleyball’s season ended Monday after a straight-sets-sweep loss to the hosting Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama in a HHSAA DI opening-match on O‘ahu. Dominating on both sides of the net, the match was never close, as the Warriors won by scores of 25-9, 25-6 and 25-11.
KSK’s Kamana‘o Goldstein notched a match-high 14 kills, followed by teammate Kalaweloilehua Chock with 11. Collectively, the sweeping Warriors secured 40 kills. Tiahna Aldeguer did a great job of setting up KSK’s offense, finishing with a match-high 26 assists. The team had three blocks and 31 digs in total.
The Wildcats were led by Kahele Alapai with six kills, followed by teammate Nevaeh Havens-Seyler with three. Kaella Masters led the team with five digs.
Kona ends its season with a 15-5 overall record and another state tournament appearance. The Warriors (9-6) will next match up with third-seeded Baldwin at 5 p.m. Thursday at home.
