No, Konawaena coach Ainsley Keawekane said, he still has little interest in Konawaena becoming a Division I volleyball team.
Even so, the Wildcats continue to play like one even with superstar Chanelle Molina no longer around.
The power-packed Red division of BIIF volleyball has had no shortage of classic five-set matches this season, and the latest came Friday night as Konawaena outlasted Waiakea 25-22, 25-20, 23-25, 23-25, 15-13 at the Warriors’ gym. Anastasia Tuifua put home the final kill off a set from Celena Molina, ending a roller-coaster ride, Keawekane said.
The two-time defending BIIF Division II champion Wildcats (9-4) went through some struggles at the beginning of the season with senior setter Celena Molina sidelined with an ankle injury, but Konawaena’s victory was its second road win against a Division I heavyweight in the past week. The Wildcats swept Kamehameha on Oct. 1.
“The kids’ mindset has changed,” Keawekane said, “and we’re attacking the game better.”
The Wildcats’ last loss came in five sets to Hilo at home on Sept. 24, but Konawaena has cut down its mental mistakes since then, and Celena Molina continues to get healthier.
“I’d say she’s about 85 percent right now,” Keawekane said. “At times she’s aggressive and just fights thought it.”
He’s happy with Konawaena’s status as the only Division II in the Red division, which routinely allows the Wildcats to get tested and primed for BIIFs and, almost assuredly, the HHSAA tournament.
Konawaena will be favored in the league’s six-team D-II tournament, where four state spots will be available.
“Us playing these D-I schools, it gives us mental toughness, and it shows in these five-set matches,” Keawekane said. “What I liked about Friday night was the fans were in it and yelling, but during the long rallies, they were cheering for both sides.”
The loss for Waiakea (12-2) leaves a three-way tie for first in D-I, with two big matches on the schedule during the final week of the regular season. Kamehameha visits Waiakea on Wednesday night, and Hilo visits Kamehameha on Saturday. Previously, Kamehameha beat Waiakea but lost to the Vikings.
An outright regular-season champion would garner an automatic state berth, and the race for the No. 1 seed is ultra important this season considering the drop-off after the top three teams.
Keaau (5-9) can secure the No. 4 seed with another win or if Kealakehe (3-11) loses either Wednesday against Konawaena or Saturday against Waiakea.
