BIIF volleyball: Konawaena’s Ward leads blue division All-League team

By RICK WINTERS

West Hawaii Today

Konawaena dominated the BIIF Boys Volleyball All-League Blue Division Team after a stellar season that saw the Wildcats claim the program’s first league title since 1998. Konawaena defeated Pahoa in four sets to win the Division II championship and advance to the state tournament where they finished in fifth place.

Leading the 2015-16 squad was senior Anthony Ward, who received the Player of the Year nod. Ward managed to secure the honor despite getting injured in the first game of the season.

“Even when he was injured he still showed up for practice and was a true team leader in all aspects,” Konawaena head coach Ainsley Keawekane said. “During his time out, I could really see him grow. He was able to share his thoughts and really analyze how the team was playing, which is something that I am usually doing.”

Once Ward came back from his injuries, though he was never really 100 percent, he moved over to libero where the Wildcats really utilized his leadership. He was very vocal on the court and showed solid passing skills.

“It felt really good to be back that first game but the coach really did not want me to jump for the rest of the season so I changed positions from outside hitter to libero,” Ward said. “I was just glad the injury came at the beginning of the season and not the end. It was very depressing but I was able to stay positive and push through it.”

After Ward’s return, the team began its march to the Division II title game. For Ward, the semifinal match against Hawaii Preparatory Academy was much more nerve racking than the finals.

“We knew we could play with Pahoa but we had never seen HPA coming into the game,” Ward said. “It was a huge relief for us when that game was over. It took stress off the entire team.”

Ward played a key part in both the semifinal victory against Hawaii Prep and the championship win against Pahoa, showing why he deserved the Player of the Year nod.

“I am pretty speechless,” Ward said after receiving the news from his coach. “With the way this season played out, especially with the injury, I have no regrets and feel very thankful.”

Ward was not alone on the all-league blue team. Teammates Troy Aukai, Kealii Kuahuia and Kaulia Wall joined him on the first team list.

Aukai, an outside hitter, had struggled the previous year but was finally able to break out in his senior season.

“He has always played a little tentative, but this year he was able to get over the hump,” Keawekane said. “I always knew he could play but it was about him knowing he could play. He made very smart choices as an outside hitter this year and also passed the ball well.”

For Kuahuia, a junior outside hitter, confidence was never a factor coming from a volleyball family.

“He is one of the gifted players who was able to grow up with the sport,” Keawekane said. “He was very comfortable on the court and he probably led the team in kill percentage.”

As a senior setter, Wall played a major factor in nearly every scoring play during the championship run.

“He distributed the ball well this year and got a lot sharper on his location,” Keawekane said. “He set up some plays in some very crucial times.”

For Keawekane, his efforts at the helm of the team led to the Coach of the Year honor for the Blue Division. Keawekane had previously stated that this past season would be his last, but the coach has now had a change of heart and decided to come back for one more year for what he calls, “some unfinished business.”

“I am curious to see how much more the boys can accomplish,” Keawekane said. “I am honored to be named Coach of the Year, but the honor really should be divided up among my many coaches. They are my backbone. They are like a lot of tiny little voices on my shoulder.”

Keawekane will also return as coach of the girls volleyball team next season.

“I have enjoyed watching both the girls and boys buy into the system,” Keawekane said. “I believe we still have a lot more to accomplish.