WAIMEA – It only took three sets for Ka Makani to defeat the visiting Dragons of Honokaa in their regular season finale.
Good thing, too: with only seven players in uniform for Tuesday’s match, Hawaii Prep needed to put a quick end to the contest and prevent the Dragons from capitalizing on a fatigued opponent.
With HPA leading 24-20 in the third set – needing just one point to secure the sweep – Honokaa went on a late run, rattling off five straight points. Up 25-24, however, Dragons were unable to force a fourth set, as Ka Makani responded with a match-clinching 3-0 run of their own to take the third set 27-25.
The 25-17, 25-10, 27-25 victory represented a big bounce-back from last Friday’s loss at Konawaena.
“Honokaa is a nice team and it was nice to beat them tonight,” said Hawaii Prep coach Daena Craven. “We needed the momentum… It’s been a real up and down season for everybody I think, so having this win is helpful for sure.”
The win lifts HPA’s record in BIIF D-II play to 4-3 as they head into the playoffs as the No. 5 seed, playing at either Ka’u or on Christian Liberty on Saturday. The Dragons’ loss secures the sixth and final seed for Kohala.