KEAAU — A life lesson tagged along with Konawaena’s latest victory: Be responsible and don’t be late for the team bus. ADVERTISING KEAAU — A life lesson tagged along with Konawaena’s latest victory: Be responsible and don’t be late for
KEAAU — A life lesson tagged along with Konawaena’s latest victory: Be responsible and don’t be late for the team bus.
A few starters sat out the first set, but the Wildcats still survived a small scare to defeat Kamehameha 13-25, 25-22, 25-14 in a BIIF volleyball match Saturday at Koaia Gym.
Chanelle Molina pounded a match-high 12 kills, including an impressive nine in Game 3, to lead Division II Konawaena (7-0), which was without seniors Ihi Victor (back injury) and Taiana Tolleson (soccer recruiting trip).
Their veteran presence was missed because the 5-foot-11 Victor and 6-foot Tolleson provide a big block at the net. Victor will be evaluated on Monday, coach Ainsley Keawekane said. Tolleson took a visit to Vanderbilt.
Kailee Yoshimura and Kamalu Makekau-Whittaker each had nine kills to lead the Division I Warriors (4-3), who went on a fruitless search for firepower after the first set. Yoshimura (six kills), Makekau-Whittaker (five) and Hiwa Kaapuni (four) combined for 15 kills in Game 1.
Kamehameha had just seven kills in the second set and six kills in the last, and more unforced errors both times, with 12 and eight giveaway points, respectively.
“It was up and down. We’re a young team and that’s been our story the whole season, up and down,” Kamehameha coach Sam Thomas said. “We’ve had great matches and not-so-great matches. It’s a process and we’re still going through that process. We need more reps.
“But we showed more heart. It sort of tailed off in the third set, but we a lot of heart in the first and second sets.”
Konawaena got steady play from its two hitter/setters McKenna Ventura, who finished with seven kills, and Celena Molina, who had four kills. Alissa Nahale-Blanco added six kills, helping to balance the offense.
In Game 2, the Warriors were tied 20-20, and had a really good shot to upset the Wildcats. But Kamehameha had two costly unforced miscues to hand Konawaena its last two points — a service error, and a blocking error.
Still, the Wildcats weren’t exactly flawless in the second set. They also had 12 unforced errors, including Kamehameha’s last four points. Konawaena almost had a hand in creating its own demise.
But sometimes mental toughness, especially from being a two-time Division II state champion, turns into a timely weapon. The Wildcats didn’t play their best, but found a way to win — something that champions routinely do.
“I liked how we picked ourselves up and made a comeback,” Ventura said. “We woke up and played together. We really spread out everything and everybody did a really good job.”
The home team couldn’t build any momentum in the last set. Chanelle Molina started to get clean swings, and spotted all sorts of holes during transitions plays. Her big slams gave her teammates a nice jolt of energy, and reminded the fans why she’s the reigning BIIF player of the year.
It also helps to have two steady setters like Ventura and Celena Molina who can take any type of pass and set up a gravy train for Chanelle Molina.
“Almost every single game, we’ve had lineup changes, looking for the right flow,” Keawekane said. “McKenna is one of the best middle blockers on the island. She’s able to read, and she’s strong on the ball. Her timing on the ball is strong. She and Celena are great ball-handlers. They know where everybody is at.
“I’m totally happy about today. They were able to take that life lesson and accept that challenge.”
