Entering the fifth year of the Hanohano regime at Waiakea, the girls volleyball program is best defined by it stability. ADVERTISING Entering the fifth year of the Hanohano regime at Waiakea, the girls volleyball program is best defined by it
Entering the fifth year of the Hanohano regime at Waiakea, the girls volleyball program is best defined by it stability.
Coach Ashley Hanohano hits balls back across the net at practice Tuesday and even runs wind sprints, at least to a point, stopping at the net.
“More like a jog,” she said.
Practices are like clockwork.
“With the maturity level, everyone wants to work,” Hanohano said. “We don’t have to deal so much with the high school thing.
“They come to work, they work hard and they go home. Good and simple.”
Any drama can be saved for a compelling BIIF Division I race that includes defending champion Hilo and Kamehameha, owner of the most recent BIIF dynasty.
Waiakea’s repeat bid was derailed last season by its rival in the championship match, but don’t feel sorry for the Warriors. They lost seven seniors and yet they may upgraded their experience level. Most of their 10 seniors have been with the program for four years.
“Every year, each team has to rebuild in certain areas and certain positions,” said assistant coach Rachelle Hanohano, Ashley’s mom. “Going into this season, I feel we have a full arsenal of athletes that are well-rounded, and they each bring something different to our team.”
If BIIF D-I is an arm’s race, than Waiakea welcomes a strong one back in senior Kayla Kahaulopua, who showed promise earlier in her BIIF career as an outside hitter. Like most if not all of her teammates, she’s a seasoned club player.
Another captain is junior Makena Hanle, a defensive specialist who perhaps – the Hanohanos vow to have a few secrets up their sleeves – could see an increased role this season.
“Makena has proven to be a major asset to our team,” Rachelle Hanohano said.
And then there is the third captain, THE libero.
If you want to make the Hanohanos smile, mention the name Jordyn Hayashi.
Liberos go unnoticed at some places and underappreciated at others, but not at Waiakea.
“Jordyn is never negative, she’s positive about everything,” Ashley Hanohano said. “She works. Bleeding after every game and she has bruises and she smiles.
“She loves it. She smiles through everything.”
During a break at practice, Hanohano gathers her team in a huddle and talks defense, asking who wants the ball.
Most players raise their hand, prompting their coach to joke, “You’re lying.”
But not Hayashi. The senior was the truth last season, sharing BIIF Player of the Year with Hilo’s Kawai Ua, her BIIF rival and Piopio Bears teammate.
“She wants the ball every time,” Hanohano said. “Normally, liberos play in the back, but we put her in the center.”
Junior Cadelyn Kahaulopua also returns to the team and will play setter along with senior Angel Navor, and seniors Melina DeVela and Jaz Alston will play middle blocker, where sophomore Keeli Jade-Smith could get a look as well.
Among the other players in line for playing time are sophomore Bethany Honma and junior Cary Catrett.
“Our philosophy has always been to defend, but we also have added some offensive players,” Rachelle Hanohano said.
Tournament time
Since the Hanohano regime began in 2013, a preseason tournament has been a staple, and Waiakea’s fifth annual Volleyball Invitational runs Thursday through Saturday and features two teams from Waiakea, Kamehameha and Honokaa and one apiece from Pahoa, Keaau, Hawaii Prep, Maui as well as the Warriors. The first two days of pool play start at 3 p.m. at Waiakea’s gym with bracket play beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday at UH-Hilo gym.
“Anytime you get to touch the ball before the season, you want to teach them how to focus and to play with intensity and energy all the time,” Rachelle Hanohano said.
Waiakea opens the regular season Tuesday at Kohala and then goes to tournament on Maui. For the second consecutive season, the BIIF is breaking into Red, While and Blue divisions, with Konawaena, Hawaii Prep and Keaau joining Waiakea, Hilo and Kamehameha for home-and-away play in the power-packed Red division.
Kealakehe is in the White division, which also includes Kohala, Honokaa, Pahoa, Ka’u and Christian Liberty, while Laupahoehoe, St. Joseph, Makua Lani, Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science, Parker and Ke Kula O Ehunuikaimalino are in the Blue division.
