It was only fitting that Kai Enriques got to bow out on a big stage: Honolulu’s Blaisdell Arena.
It was only fitting that Kai Enriques got to bow out on a big stage: Honolulu’s Blaisdell Arena.
Enriques helped carry the Ka’u volleyball program to new heights, and he applied the finishing touches to his career with 18 kills Saturday as the Trojans beat Hawaii Prep 25-22, 25-19 in the HHSAA Division II fifth-place match.
On Enriques’ watch, the Trojans (14-4) have one BIIF title – their first – and one runner-up finish to go along with fourth- and fifth-place finishes at states.
Brian Gascon added seven kills and Damon Hertz posted four for Ka’u (14-4), which avenged two earlier losses to Ka Makani (10-8), including a four-game setback in the BIIF title match.
HPA struggled, mustering only 12 kills and making 12 hitting errors. Tucker Higgins had six.
Enriques, a leading contender to repeat as Division II Player of the Year, had 11 kills in the first game alone, with his last capping the set.
The senior added three aces and eight digs. He was the only member of the state all-tournament team who didn’t play for either Hawaii Baptist or Hana, who met in the final. HBA swept to its sixth title in a row.