Hilo senior Raymond Rowe III had to laugh because he had a chance to finish his BIIF volleyball career at the Vikings Gym with an ace or a winning serve against Keaau.
It would have made for a memorable moment for the grandson of the late Raymond Rowe Sr., a volleyball icon who passed away in 2006.
Instead, the 6-foot-2 middle blocker hit the ball two feet in the third set and a fourth game eventually followed.
No worries, though. The Vikings took care of business in a BIIF Division I first-round playoff match on Tuesday night. They eliminated the Cougars 25-21, 25-25-13, 27-29, 25-8.
The No. 4 seed Vikings (6-7) will face No. 1 Kamehameha (12-0) in the BIIF semifinals at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Kealakehe High. In the other semifinal, No. 3 Kealakehe (8-4) will play No. 2 Waiakea (10-2) at 7 p.m.
The season is over for the Cougars (4-7), who have never qualified for the HHSAA state tournament.
Last season, the Vikings advanced to the state tournament for the first time since 2009, when they were on the Division II level. They graduated five starters last year, but one constant back is Rowe, who finished with six blocks and nine kills.
In the third set, Hilo led 26-25 with Rowe at the service line. After his service misfire, he smiled when the crowd at the Vikings Gym got a good kick out of his service clunker.
“When I served, I stumbled and tripped. It was a complete accident,” Rowe said. “But I did enjoy the next set. It was fun and a great night.”
Though he’s got volleyball genes, Rowe didn’t start playing until his sophomore year. He grew up paddling and swimming.
“I felt like I would be not bad since my family is good,” he said. “I could really see how much I improved from my sophomore year.”
Hilo setter Kaimana Kawaha spread the ball around, and several of his hitters feasted on wide-open seams. Kyron Toriano and Jax Uyemura, a junior, also set and hit, which added to a versatile attack.
Senior outside hitters Taulelei Toledo and Toriano shared the hammering duties with 15 kills each. Junior middle Cresen Nobriga chipped in nine kills.
Michael Tenorio had six kills, Charles Caldwell-Kaai added five kills and Kamaehu Dreams knocked down four kills for the Cougars, who’ll wave goodbye at graduation to that senior trio.
Keaau’s best offense was mostly Hilo’s hitting errors. But the Vikings went on a scoring rampage in the fourth set to make it an early night.
Then the six seniors — Rowe, Kawaha, Toledo, Toriano, Seage Kalani, and Keaho Ka’awa-Wilson — enjoyed their last moment in their home gym in a Viking uniform.
If any of the half-dozen Viks start feeling sentimental 20 years from now, they can remember Rowe’s misfire serve for a good laugh. It was a good memory for Rowe because he laughed, too.
Warrior run
In 2005, the Warrior state travel package was established. That’s when Kamehameha and Waiakea started to represent the league at states every year together until the string was broken last season.
Last season in the BIIF semifinals, No. 1 seed Kamehameha swept No. 4 Waiakea in three straight sets. Waiakea’s streak of 19 straight state trips was snapped.
Waiakea’s two losses are to Kamehameha. Though Waiakea couldn’t beat Kamehameha, the public-school Warriors found a way to beat the rest of the Red division competition to grab the No. 2 seed. That was a key strategic accomplishment.
If the Warriors beat the Waveriders, they return to states, and they already have more than enough motivation. There’s the sting of sitting home from last year. Also, Waiakea has four starting seniors in outside hitters Claysen Morante, Ty Nishimura, Keahi Denne-Kimi and setter Kaniela Alviar.
Kamehameha’s best team is probably next year’s edition. That’s when junior starters Addie and Avery Enriques, fellow outside hitter Chase Carter, setters Naia Makuakane and Kameron Moses, and middle blocker Jarvis Bento will be in their final seasons.
However, the current edition is pretty good, too. As the BIIF regular season champion, Kamehameha has already qualified for states. The Warriors are also undefeated and a favorite to win their third consecutive BIIF title.
They may get a good challenge from Waiakea, a favorite over Kealakehe, because nothing motivates a team more than a bunch of hungry seniors.
First round
Division I
Tuesday
Hilo def. Keaau 25-21, 25-25-13, 27-29, 25-8
Division II
Kohala def. Christian Liberty 25-16, 25-17, 25-22
Konawaena def. Ka‘u 25-18, 25-12, 25-14
Friday’s semifinals
At Kealakehe
Division I
Kamehameha (12-0 Red) vs. Hilo (6-7 Red), 5:30 p.m.
Waiakea (10-2 Red) vs. Kealakehe (8-4 Red), 7 p.m.
Division II
Hawaii Prep (4-8 Red) vs. Konawaena (10-1 blue), 2:30 p.m.
Pahoa (9-1 Blue) vs. Kohala (4-9 Red), 4 p.m.
Saturday’s championships
At Kealakehe
Division I
Semifinal winners, 7 p.m.
Division II
Semifinal winners, 5:30 p.m.
