By KEVIN JAKAHI
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
So much for suspense when it comes to league competition as far as the powerhouse Kamehameha volleyball team is concerned.
The Warriors hosted Hilo, considered the second-best team, in a BIIF season-opener and won 25-8, 21-25, 25-21, 25-20 on Tuesday night at Koaia Gym.
Sophomore outside hitter Avery Enriques slammed 15 kills and junior Isaiah Laeha added 10 kills for Kamehameha (1-0).
Enriques, his twin brother Addie Enriques and senior libero Kekaulike Alameda each racked up six digs to spark the defensive effort.
The Vikings (0-1) were led on offense by Bradley Comilla and Justice Lord, and on defense by the passing and digging of libero Trevor Castro.
“Hilo was nervous at the start. They’re a good team and they woke up in the second game,” Kamehameha coach Guy Enriques said. “At times we couldn’t stop Comilla. He was pretty good, so was Justice. Their libero is good and we know that because he plays on our club team (Southside). Hilo’s a legit team, just look at the scores.”
For those wondering why 6-foot-1 senior Emmett Enriques didn’t lead the Warriors in kills, that’s because he sprained his ankle on his third swing of the match. He finished with two kills and didn’t return.
“He had one big termination and on a second rally he crushed it, and sprained his ankle landing,” his dad and coach said. “He’ll be fine. He’s really coming into his own. He’s explosive and once he gets a little more consistency he’ll be fun to watch.
“It was good to see the younger ones step up. At one time, we had four sophomores on the court. Avery took Emmett’s spot. He was the next guy in and had 15 kills.”
In other season-opening matches, BIIF runner-up Waiakea swept Christian Liberty 25-6, 25-13, 25-8, and Pahoa defeated Ehunui 25-9, 25-10, 25-10.
Reporting scores
Host schools are responsible for reporting scores, but visitors are welcome to report as well.
Information should include JV score, and varsity score. Stats are optional but welcome.
Scores may be reported by phone to 930-7335 or email: sports@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
Johnson honored
UH-Hilo junior forward Tre Johnson was named to the All-PacWest second team on Wednesday in a vote by the league’s coaches.
Johnson started 26 games in leading the Vuls to a 12-14 overall record and ninth-place finish in the PacWest with an 8-12 record.
He led the team with 17.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He turned in four double-doubles with a season best 25-point, 16-rebound performance against Fresno Pacific.
Softball gets a test
First-year coach Peejay Brun’s Vuls finally host a home contest after a 16-game road trip, and that’s not including the two games against BYU-Hawaii called off because of an unplayable field.
The Vuls (10-6, 5-1) host Azusa Pacific (10-11, 4-6) in doubleheaders at 1 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday at the UHH field.
Senior right-hander Vanessa Salinas leads the team with a 6-3 record and a 1.69 ERA with one save.
Senior outfielder Colleen Aubrey (.408 batting average, two homers, eight RBIs) leads the offense.
Melanie Morelos (.308), Salinas (.297) and Emily Greene (three homers, 10 RBIs) also swing contributing bats for UHH, picked to finish sixth in the preseason coaches poll.
Picked to finish third in the preseason poll, the Cougars are led by infielder Nicki Sprague (.492, two homers, 12 RBIs), one of the top players in the conference.
Last season, she was the PacWest co-player of the year, and freshman of the year. Sprague was voted as the preseason player of the year.