PAHOA — The Pahoa High School boys varsity volleyball team swept the Kanu O Ka ‘Aina Charter School coed varsity volleyball team Tuesday evening.
The Daggers took the upper hand with a 25-11 victory in the first set.
“There’s always a lot to improve on,” Pahoa head coach Kahea Rodrigues said. “What they did really good was that they worked as a team. Our passing was good. Our free ball passing was on it, and it gave our setters options to run certain hitters that we needed to fulfill. I was able to play my bench, so that was nice.”
Pahoa dominated the second set, winning 25-9.
Down 2-0, Kanu O Ka ‘Aina fought hard in the third set. The score remained tied with the lead bouncing back and forth until the teens, when the Daggers began to pull away. Kanu O Ka ‘Aina held on through several long rallies before the set ended in a Pahoa win 25-16..
“My setters stood out for the most part in this game,” Rodrigues said. “They ran a great offense, and that says a lot.”
Now 4-0, PHS is looking to continue its success by improving the skills that its players have developed throughout the season.
“We’ve improved our mental game and being mentally prepared,” Rodrigues said. “We’ve struggled with that through all the years that I’ve been here, so it’s nice to see that they’re finally grasping the concept.”
The Daggers’ next outing will be a road test Friday evening at Konawaena High School. Their next home game will be 5 p.m. Wednesday against Makua Lani Christian.
Kanu O Ka ‘Aina will host Ka‘u High School’s boys varsity volleyball team at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Other Tuesday volleyball results
The Ka ‘Umeke Ka‘eo boys varsity volleyball team notched a fifth-set, away victory over Makua Lani Christian.
Makua Lani won the first two sets by scores of 25-19 and 26-24.
Despite being the deficit, Ka ‘Umeke bounced back with three set victories to take the match. The third set was narrowly won 25-23, then 25-17 in the fourth. Ka ‘Umeke closed out the fifth set with a 15-10 victory.
Both teams will be back in action Friday. Makua Lani will play away at Laupahoehoe Public Charter at 5 p.m. — and at the same time, Ka ‘Umeke will play away against St. Joseph High School at the Hilo High School gymnasium.
Also on Tuesday, Ka‘u High School’s boys varsity volleyball team defeated Honokaa High School 3-1 in an away match.
The Trojans won the first two sets, edging the Dragons 25-20 in the first and claiming a firm victory 25-14 in the second.
Honokaa came around in the third to win 25-20 — but suffered a close, 25-22 loss in the fourth set.
The Dragons’ next match will be Tuesday evening at Hawaii Prep.