BIIF volleyball: Kealakehe wins two-set battle over HPA

In a hard fought, two-set battle, the Kealakehe High School volleyball team edged out Hawaii Preparatory Academy at the Waveriders’ gym on Thursday.

After Kealakehe took the first set 25-23, Ka Makani took control the ball early in the second set, and it looked like the match might go the full distance. However, the Waveriders tied Hawaii Prep late and then went on an eight-point run to win the second set 25-17.

“We hung tough and passed the ball well,” said Kealakehe coach Kahinu Lee. “We were able to keep the ball on our side of the net and chip away at the lead (in the second set), and then we started to control the ball.”

Kealakehe maintained a lead between one and four points for most of the first set, but Hawaii Prep tied the score late in the game at 23. The Waveriders caught a break on the next point as a Ka Makani kill shot by Ghar Pautz went long. With game point, a long rally ensured, with bodies flying all over the court. Unfortunately for Hawaii Prep, the rally ended when another shot by Pautz sailed long.

Ka Makani came out in the second set and took control early. They built an 8-5 lead before Kealakehe came back to tie the game at 10. Hawaii Prep then went up 14-11 behind shots from Pautz and good blocking at the net by Nakoa Parrish and Dylan Ngango Dikobo.

Kealakehe fought back once more, tying the game at 16. With both teams knotted at 17, the Waveriders took advantage of a couple of net calls on Ka Makani to go on an eight-point run. Turi Kekuaokalani served out the game and Klein Hao ended it will a kill down the left line.

Kealakehe was playing without their starting setter Kanoa Snively. Jonah Kaulia filled in for him and literally set his team up for victory.

“We played very well considering we didn’t have my starting setter, but everyone stepped up,” Lee said. “Jonah did an awesome job filling in and he distributed the ball just like I needed him to.”