For the last seven years, it’s been a flip flop of title sharing between Kamehameha and Waiakea.
For the last seven years, it’s been a flip flop of title sharing between Kamehameha and Waiakea.
Kamehameha has won the BIIF Division I volleyball championship in the even-numbered years: 2008, ’10, ’12, and ’14.
Waiakea has pushed its rival with the same Warrior nickname aside, and taken over in the odd-numbered years: 2007, ’09, ’11 and ’13.
Historically, it should be Waiakea’s turn this season, but a title run will be a formidable task with the loss of six starters, including Mamane Namahoe, Bronson Napoleon, Kamahao Paio and Dillon Rellez — each an All-BIIF first-team pick.
Kamehameha, on the other hand, is in good shape and returns all its starters, except one and it’s a crater-sized hole to fill.
It’s an intriguing question for the private-school Warriors: How far can they go without the services of Evan Enriques, who’s now at Stanford and was a three-time BIIF player of the year.
He led the Warriors to a pair of runner-up finishes to Punahou at the HHSAA state championship in 2012 and last year.
“I think we’ll be very good collectively,” Kamehameha coach Guy Enriques said. “Everyone is bouncing around and trying to fill spots. Every kid has stepped up his game. Everyone has had another year under their belts.
“I’m pretty excited about this new and different team. Obviously, we’ll be more diverse on offense and our middle blockers will be a lot more active. Once we get settled in we’ll have a solid lineup and be very good.”
Emmett Enriques, last year’s No. 2 outside hitter, gets a promotion to L1 and steps into shoes of his older (not bigger, BTW) brother.
“Emmett is 6 feet 1, maybe a little taller than Evan,” said dad Guy Enriques, who also doubles as an inspirational speaker. “He’s got a bigger jump. He’s got Evan by a couple inches, easy. He has a much quicker arm swing.
“We went to Anaheim (California) for a tourney, with our club team, and he was outstanding. I’m expecting a lot out of him.”
Besides the same last name, the brothers share similar ball-handling skills. Emmett signed with Cal Baptist as a libero.
The sibling rivalry will continue because Cal Baptist, Stanford, Hawaii and USC, among other West Coast powers, all belong to the Mountain Sports Pacific Federation.
As far as the Warrior-Warrior rivalry goes, Hilo is probably a stronger contender for the league’s second berth to states than Waiakea.
The Vikings last beat put the two Warriors for the BIIF title in 1999. In Division II, they won four straight Division II crowns, the last in 2009.
Kamehameha hosts Hilo to open the season Tuesday.
Kamehameha has two high-jumping athletic middles in Paki Iaea and Hanale Lee Loy, who suffered a collapsed lung last summer.
“He’s doing very well and has come a long way,” Kamehameha coach Enriques said. “I’m not worried about our middles, so much as next year. We need to figure out who are next middles are and put time in them or otherwise we’ll be empty-handed. We’re solid in the middle position.”
Isaiah Tauati, a football player like Iaea, could also see time at middle, which has set starters, unlike the outside spots where auditions are being held.
Isaiah Laeha and Kainalu Whitney, a pair of juniors, will be in the running for the L2 job, along with Avery Enriques, who grew into a 5-10 sophomore.
Pukana Vincent, the junior basketball standout, will be in the mix for the right-side spot. Laeha and Whitney will also battle for the position.
If Avery Enriques isn’t hitting, he’ll be setting. His twin brother Addie Enriques and fellow sophomore Naia Makuakane will also be in the musical chairs challenge.
Kekaulike Alameda has a lock on the libero job. The senior signed a scholarship with Barton College, a Division II school in Wilson, N.C.
Kamehameha will likely roll through the BIIF season. The roster is loaded with full-time volleyball players. That commitment is a reason the program annually makes a good run at states.
“It’s a new look for us and I’m excited to see other people having the opportunity to step up and take ownership of this team,” Enriques said. “That’s kind of exciting. Who’s going to do that? It’s wide-open right now.
“We were used to having one hammer (in Evan), but it’ll be good if everybody steps up. There’s a lot more potential than last year’s year team. I’m really looking forward to it.”