HILO — Hilo girls volleyball won its fifth consecutive match after a straight-sets sweep of the visiting Ka‘u Lady Trojans on Thursday night at home. The Vik Queens improved to 8-1 on the season — continuing to establish themselves as one of the island’s top programs at the midway point of the BIIF regular season.
Hilo won the sets by scores of 25-17, 25-21 and 25-10.
The Vik Queens have been on a roll since their loss to Waiakea last month, collecting other wins against Christian Liberty Academy, Laupahoehoe, Connections and Kea‘au — all in straight sets. Star Aspen Hanohano told Hawaii News Now postgame that one of the main factors in the team’s early-season success has been the camaraderie in the locker room amongst the girls.
“This team is honestly amazing,” she said. “We have an amazing support group system. On and off the court, we’re constantly complimenting and encouraging each other, whether it’s in school or on the volleyball court in practice, or when we’re doing our own book work. This year, our high school season is just phenomenal.
“When I’m on the court with my teammates, it feels like nothing else matters. Each point is continuing to get better and better, and with that cheering, compliments and encouragement, we just continue to excel on and off the court.”
When asked about what gives Hanohano the confidence to perform at a high level, she pointed to her involvement in pageants in her free time.
“In my free time, I’m actually a pageant girl,” she explained. “I train inside the studios with my mom and with all my pageant directors and my pageant coaches. I feel like that’s a reason why I’m very confident on the court, because I walk onto the court and know who I am, know where I came from and know where I’m going in life.”
In order to stay consistent, Hilo approaches each match like they’re playing their top rivals — Kamehameha-Hawaii and Waiakea, who the Vik Queens will both face in the coming weeks. Hanohano explained that treating each game like a playoff atmosphere builds continuity and confidence within her group.
“Our team puts ourselves in that mentality that every single game, we’re either playing against Kamehameha or Waiakea,” she said. “Making sure that we do the basics, that we’re staying disciplined on every pass, every set and every hit. We make sure that our mentality is game-ready for Kamehameha and Waiakea. These girls have been working hard, and I just can’t wait to play Waiakea and Kamehameha next week.”
Both of those teams will post challenges for Hilo, as KSH is currently unbeaten at 8-0 and Waiakea is 7-1. The Vik Queens will also play Pahoa next week.
Hilo will travel to Kea‘au to take on KSH on Tuesday night. It will be the first matchup between the two Hilo-side schools.
Ka‘u dropped to 3-5 overall, and will look to get back in the win column against Kea‘au at 10 a.m. this morning in Pahala. Junior varsity will play first.
Dragons sweep Lions
Honoka‘a girls volleyball made quick of the visiting Makua Lani Christian Academy Lady Lions on Thursday night inside the Honoka‘a Armory. The Lady Dragons won by straight sets of 25-6, 25-12 and 25-10.
Honoka‘a improved to 3-5, with additional wins against Kanu o ka ‘Aina and the MLCA again in late August. The Lady Dragons will next take on Kohala in their first of two matches this season, set to begin at 10 a.m. this morning at home. Junior varsity will play first.
The Lady Lions remain winless at 0-9, and will also take on the Cowgirls next. When the two teams last played, Kohala won in straight sets. The two schools will duel it out Monday night in Kapa‘au.
