KEALAKEHE — Kealakehe boys volleyball just continues to dominate the regular season.
The hosting Waveriders and Kohala Cowboys squared off at Kealakehe High School for the first and only time this season on Saturday morning, with the ‘Riders winning their sixth consecutive match. Kealakehe won by straight-set scores of 25-21, 25-13 and 25-17.
The winning Waveriders shined in a variety of ways. Senior Andrew Ching-Warren displayed his incredible serving ability, which helped Kealakehe jump out to a 6-0 lead early in the second frame. Ching-Warren was also critical in helping sophomore Kea Nolan and senior Riley Quistorff block spike attempts at the net. The blue and white also played unselfish offense, giving a variety of players opportunities at the net to make a play.
The Cowboys didn’t give up, however. Senior Jayden Hook mesmerized the crowd with his leaping ability and lighting-quick spikes, but it was ultimately not enough to overcome.
The Waveriders improved to 7-1, blowing their 2-8 record from 2024 out of the water. Per ScoringLive, Kealakehe hasn’t had a season with seven-or-more wins since 2019.
Head coach Julian Lopez has been pleased with how unselfish the team has been playing, noting that the boys’ goals of competing for a Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division I Championship have been clear from day one.
“I thought the boys played really well and executed the game plan with confidence,” he told West Hawaii Today postgame. “You can tell they’re playing with a purpose — chasing that goal to win BIIFs — and it shows how much they are growing with each game.
“It’s not a one-man show. They’re hitting a great stride as a unit, and it’s fun to watch them come together like this.”
The ‘Riders next play Honoka‘a for the second time this season on Wednesday night in Kailua-Kona. When the two squads last battled on March 12, Kealakehe won in straight sets.
Kohala fell to 0-6, and will seek win No. 1 with its next matchup against Hawaii Preparatory Academy on Wednesday night in Kapa‘au.
Ka‘u 3, CLA 1
Ka‘u boys volleyball got back in the win column after a four-set victory over Christian Liberty Academy on Saturday morning inside Ka‘u District Gymnasium. The Trojans improved to 7-4, while the Canefire fell to 2-7.
It was the second meeting between the two teams, with Ka‘u also beating CLA in four sets on March 27.
The Trojans won the first two sets 25-22 and 25-13, but the Canefire avoided the sweep with a 25-23 third-frame win. Ka‘u then quickly adjusted and won the fourth set 25-15 to seal the deal.
The Trojans will look to win consecutive matches for the first time in April with their next matchup against unbeaten Hilo on Wednesday night on the road. When the two schools last played on March 12, the Vikings won in four sets.
The Canefire will look to get back on track in Tuesday’s match against the Cougars at Kea‘au High School.
KSH 3, Pahoa 1
Kamehameha-Hawaii got back in the win column with a four-set victory over Pahoa on Friday night in Pahoa town. It was the second time this season that the Warriors bested the Daggers.
KSH won the first set 25-18, but Pahoa soon clapped back with a 25-17 second-frame win. The Warriors quickly adjusted and closed the match by winning the final two sets 25-23 and 25-16.
Jaydan Borling-Lewi and Kahaiolelo Helm led KSH with 27 combined kills. Teammate Jayson Nakata finished with a match-high 23 assists, while Lincoln Jardine logged a game-high 11 digs. The Warriors posted five total blocks.
No Daggers reached double digits in kills, but Kyren Canete and Dayten Fujiyama combined for 13. Teammate Jheyden Haili finished with a team-high 18 blocks while also posting a team-high nine digs. Pahoa recorded seven total blocks in the loss.
Moving to 8-3 on the season, KSH next plays Waiakea on Tuesday night in Kea‘au. When the two teams last played on March 31, Waiakea won in five close sets.
The 6-5 Daggers will next be tested Tuesday against Ka‘u in Pahala — looking to get revenge on the Trojans from their March 10 loss.
Honoka‘a 3, Kanu 1
After dropping the previous four matches, Honoka‘a boys volleyball returned to the win column following a four-set victory over the visiting Kanu o ka ‘Aina on Friday night on the Hamakua Coast. The Dragons improved to 2-6, while Kanu dropped to 1-5.
Honoka‘a won the first set 25-19, but Kanu bounced back to win the second frame by the same score. The Dragons adjusted in the final two sets, winning 25-23 and 25-21.
Honoka‘a is back on the court against Parker School this afternoon inside Waimea District Park Gymnasium. Kanu next plays Hawaii Prep for the first and final time this season Tuesday night inside Castle Gymnasium.
