When the pressure-packed fifth set rolled around, Chynesty Acia and the rest of her Keaau teammates on the volleyball court had the self-belief that a major upset was there for the taking.
On Tuesday, the Cougars stunned Konawaena 25-11, 20-25, 23-25, 25-13, 25-11 in a BIIF roller-coaster at Ellison Onizuka Gym, scoring their biggest win in the program’s history.
“It was a great effort by our kids. It was a back-and-forth battle,” Keaau coach Kawaileleohiilawe said. “We became more energized as we went into the fifth set. The kids were talking a whole lot more and were mindful what they had to do and focused on taking care of the ball on our side of the net.
“It’s definitely a big one for the girls. It was awesome. Our junior varsity team was supporting them, and it was really loud.”
Keaau overcame long odds to take down the Wildcats, the three-time defending BIIF Division II champion.
The Cougars have never posted a winning record since joining the league in 2000. They finished 1-11 that year.
They have never beaten the traditional powerhouses: Kamehameha, Hilo, Waiakea, and Konawaena.
That all changed a few days ago when the Cougars maintained their energy level and tough serves against the Wildcats, who graduated 10 seniors.
“We had key moments of serving. I wanted to start our offense with attacking serves, not lollipop serves,” Kawaileleohiilawe said. “I would tell the girls, ‘Even if they have game point, go for it and don’t ease up.’ You’re going to make mistakes. Mistakes are necessary to get better, and that’s what we want to become.
“In the fifth set, it was nice to see we had key aces in a row. Before we tended to get down on ourselves. The Konawaena girls are well-coached and are disciplined. Our girls kept talking, kept the energy level going and were saying that we can pull it through. It was great to see.”
The ’Cats aren’t exactly cupboard bare. They return three starters in senior outside hitters Cherilyn Molina and McKayla Ventura, and sophomore middle blocker Anastasia Tuifua, a 5-foot-10 force.
“They’re not as deep as before, but they still have good swings,” Kawaileleohiilawe said. “Their kids are disciplined and didn’t have too many hitting errors. They’ll give you the ball and make you score your own points.
“Molina is steady and fun to watch. She can drive the ball deep. We tried to serve her tough. That was the key.”
Molina and Ventura play ball for Hoopa, Konawaena coach Ainsley Keawekane’s club team and feeder program. Tuifua plays club ball for Pilipaa.
The Wildcats are soaked in HHSAA tournament experience. They’ve been to states the last six years and won titles in 2013 and ’14.
They’re one of the league’s book authors on what it takes to be a state champion. The first three chapters would be dedicated to energy, serving, and passing.
Keaau trumped Konawaena in all three areas and had breakout performances from a handful of starters, including Acia, Makalei Watson, Kaumaka Sibayton, Kanoe Cabanlet, and Maurice Riingen.
Sibayton led the charge with 18 kills, Acia slammed 12, and Watson added 11 kills. Riingen, a junior libero, had 17 digs while Cabanlet, a senior setter, directed the offense.
“Acia is the one who keeps the energy flowing,” Kawaileleohiilawe said. “She’s been a really positive factor for us on the court and at practice. She’s really being vocal and supportive, no scolding her teammates. She’ll say, ‘That’s all right. We’ll get it back.’ She plays a huge part for us.”
Kaipoi Kuamoo and Jenifer Oher are the two middle blockers. Kiana Ettore is a backup setter.
The team is loaded with seniors, including Acia, Sibayton, Watson, Cabanlet, Ettore, and Kuamoo.
“Kierstyn Yamamoto came in for passing in the back row and got us some good serve-receive control,” Kawaileleohiilawe said. “Our passing is not bad, and it’s getting a lot better.”
The only club ball players are Sibayton and Watson, who both play for Pilipaa. The rest of the Cougars get their first volleyball touches when school starts.
Last season, Keaau finished 5-12 in the league’s three-tiered Red division, which included Waiakea, Hilo, Kamehameha, Konawaena, and Kealakehe.
Waiakea swept Keaau in the BIIF semifinals last year.
The Cougars hold a 1-2 record in the Red division, losing to Ka’u and Hawaii Prep. They host Pahoa (1-1 in the Blue division) on Friday.
In 2011, Kawaileleohiilawe was the Keaau boys volleyball coach. That season, the Cougars upset Kamehameha, their first win over the Warriors.
They’ve also beaten Hilo and Konawaena. The boys are coached by Carlos Navor and haven’t beaten Waiakea.
Kawaileleohiilawe was an assistant under former UH-Hilo coach and NAIA Hall of Famer Sharon Peterson, now Hawaii Prep’s boys and girls coach.
If he sounds like her, it’s no accident. The second-year coach, who also had an earlier stint, often talks about the mental aspects of the game as a tool for improvement.
Peterson’s Ka Makani won in three sets last Friday at the Cougars Gym. Then a few days later, Kawaileleohiilawe, who legally has one name, took Keaau on the road, where history was made.
Like Peterson, the Cougars coach doesn’t go chasing waterfalls or distant goals. He’s concerned with getting better, even if a giant step was just taken.
“We want to make it to the BIIF tourney and try to survive,” he said.
