By JOE FERRARO
Stephens Media
KEALAKEKUA — Under longtime coach Sharon Peterson, Hawaii Prep boys volleyball team has thrived thanks in large part to their ability to limit mistakes.
That offensive execution combined with Ka Makani’s impenetrable defense at the net had Pahoa on its heels Friday in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division II semifinal at Konawaena.
Jevin Ching had 14 kills, and Keanu Yamamoto added 11 kills and 12 digs as Ka Makani defeated the Daggers 25-14, 25-15, 25-20.
HPA advanced to today’s 5:30 p.m. Division II final at Konawaena, where Ka Makani (10-6) will face defending champion Kohala (12-4). Both teams will play in the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II state tournament, which takes place May 3-5 in Honolulu.
Pahoa (8-9) will take on Ka‘u (12-4) at 4 p.m. today in a match that will determine the BIIF’s No. 3 seed in the state tournament.
Ka Makani earned its state berth with its usual efficiency.
HPA had a meager 11 errors through the first two games, including just one attack error in Game 1.
Peterson said the team’s ability to limit errors stemmed from its respect for a Daggers team that has blossomed into a perennial state tourney contender in the past three years.
“With Pahoa’s talent and tradition, they also have a tough defense, and we knew we had to be ready,’’ Peterson said.
Yamamoto, a senior middle blocker, had six of his 11 kills early Game 1, helping HPA jump out to a 16-6 advantage.
Yamamoto hit a sizzling .700 in the first game while 6-foot-3 sophomore Tyler Van Kirk collected four of his eight kills in Game 1, hitting .444.
As a team, HPA hit .284 for the match while Pahoa finished at .029.
Van Kirk also presented a strong block at the net along with Yamamoto and 6-3 junior setter Kainoa Tanoai.
“We focused more on defense getting ready (for Pahoa),’’ Yamamoto said. “We practiced blocking the (quick sets) a lot.’’
HPA’s height at the net smothered the Daggers throughout the match.
“They’re big, they’re tough, they’re strong,’’ Pahoa coach Ikaika Marzo said. “We’re short, we’re small. … They overpowered us at the net.’’
Van Kirk did just that at a key juncture in Game 2, when Pahoa gained some momentum behind two of Nicklas Fisher’s team-high 11 kills, getting within 18-13.
Van Kirk responded by turning two blocks into kills, and Ching followed with an ace, giving HPA a 20-13 edge.
Offensively, HPA excelled while attacking from the outside hitter position, particularly on cross-court swings, with Ching hammering eight of his kills in Game 3.
Tanoai and Zeke Chong played a big role, finishing with 17 and 15 assists, respectively, operating out of HPA’s 6-2 formation.
“The sets were beautiful, and our hitters were very consistent and real smart,’’ Yamamoto said.
Junior setter Joseph Lefiti finished with 17 assists, while junior libero Anthony Mesa-Serrano had 11 digs for Pahoa.
However, while he acknowledged HPA’s height advantage and skill, Marzo came away disappointed with his team’s effort.
“If you lose and you’re trying, that’s acceptable,’’ Marzo said. “If you lose without showing heart, that’s unacceptable.’’
Kohala 3, Ka‘u 0: Senior D.J. Wong collected a match-high 17 kills and six aces, while senior Popo Roxburgh followed with 14 kills and six digs as the Cowboys beat the Trojans 25-22, 25-12, 25-12.
Roxburgh and Wong hit .684 and .406, respectively, while senior setter Kulia Aveiro-Kalaniopio had 42 assists.
Junior Kalai Kapeliela added 11 digs, while senior Elias Hood had nine digs and three aces.
Holden Galigo led Ka‘u with five kills and 10 digs, and Donald Garo Jr. also had five kills.
Division I
Kamehameha 3, Kealakehe 0: Behind strong all-around performances from sophomore Evan Enriques and senior Daniel Aina Jr., the Warriors beat Kealakehe 25-13, 25-18, 25-18.
Enriques finished with 15 kills and16 digs, while Aina Jr. had 14 kills, 21 assists and a .429 hitting percentage.
Senior Israel Trusdell added seven kills for Kamehameha (15-0), which will play Waiakea (13-2) at 7 p.m. today in the Division I championship match at Konawaena. Both teams in the final have earned berths in the HHSAA state tournament, which takes place May 2-5 in Honolulu.
Senior Jacob Ontiveros and sophomore Taylor Dorr each had seven kills for Kealakehe (2-13).
Senior Keni Souza collected 18 assists, while freshman Christian Castro had 15 digs.
Waiakea 3, Hilo 0: Sophomore Mamane Namahoe had 11 kills and eight digs, and senior Donovan Hoohuli pounded nine kills as Waiakea defeated Hilo 25-16, 25-8, 25-19.
Keanu Esser had 19 assists, William Relez added 13 assists, and Woody Nelson collected 10 digs for the defending champion Warriors.
Junior Makoa Tandal paced Hilo (4-11) with 10 kills and nine digs.
Glance
Konawaena High School
Friday
Semifinals
Division II
Kohala def. Ka‘u 3-0
HPA def. Pahoa 3-0
Division I
Kam def. Kealakehe 3-0
Waiakea def. Hilo 3-0
Today
Division I final
Waiakea vs. Kamehameha, 7 p.m.
Division II
Third: Ka‘u vs. Pahoa, 4 p.m.
Final: Hawaii Prep vs. Kohala, 5:30 p.m.
