HILO — Wednesday night marked the conclusion of the Haili Volleyball Tournament’s youth play, with the championship rounds for each age group played at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
In the Girls 18U division — the oldest youth division — Ho‘opa Hawai‘i defeated Pi‘opi‘o Bears 2-0, winning each set 25-22 and 25-14.
“It feels great,” said Ho‘opa coach Joseph Wong. “This is my first time as a coach to be at this stage for the championship. I did play in the tournament as a player, so this is exciting. It was nerve-racking toward the end, but we pulled through. My girls were itching to play, they want to play in every tournament. They really wanted to do this one, so we’re here and I’m happy we did well.”
Ho‘opa — from Kailua-Kona — went 5-0 for the tournament, losing no sets.
“Winning definitely feels really good,” said Ho‘opa player Chelsea Velez. “This is our first year playing as a team together, but I’ve been here with different teams before. It’s (Haili Tournament) always a fun time. It’s cool because there is a lot of traveling involved.”
Many of the tournament’s participants, including Velez, are dedicated volleyball players who play year round.
“We’re always playing as much as we can,” she said. “We played in the regionals a few days before this, too. I’m playing in college and am planning on going to Highline College near Seattle.”
In the next-youngest division, Girls 16U, Haili Jr’s Black defeated Ka‘u Girls in two sets, 25-20 and 25-17. Both teams were undefeated going into the championship. Jr’s Black went 6-0-1 in matches and 13-1 in sets for the tourney. Ka‘u went 5-1 in matches and 10-4 in sets.
The Girls 14U championship saw 808 Athletic Club 13S defeat Pi‘opi‘o Bears 13S 25-7 and 25-14, notching a 7-0 match record and 14-1 set record for the tournament. The Bears went 4-3 in matches and 8-8 in sets.
In the Boys 12U championship, Keaukaha Jr’s 11U swept Pilipa’a 11’S in two 25-16 set wins. Keaukaha went 4-1 in matches and 10-2 in sets for the tournament, and Pilipa’a went 3-2 and 7-5.
Mauloa 12U swept Keaukaha Jr’s in the Girls 12U championship, winning 25-19 and 25-17. Mauloa recorded an undefeated tourney, going 6-0 in matches and 12-0 in sets. Keaukaha went 4-2 and 9-7.
In the Coed 10U championship, AMP 10U (1) defeated ‘Eleu 10U Malulani 25-22 and 25-14. AMP finished the tournament with a 5-0 match record and an 11-2 match record. ‘Eleu went 5-1 and 10-2.
The Haili Tournament’s adult play tipped off Thursday, and will hold its championships starting with Women’s Masters and Men’s B’s at 10 a.m. Saturday at Afook. Women’s AA and Men’s AA championships will begin at 1 p.m.
