BY BILL O’REAR | STEPHENS MEDIA ADVERTISING HILO — Junior Keenan Freitas hammered 19 kills, junior Tim Jittu had a late point flurry, and Christian Liberty fought past Konawaena 23-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-21 on Friday night. The Big Island Interscholastic
BY BILL O’REAR | STEPHENS MEDIA
HILO — Junior Keenan Freitas hammered 19 kills, junior Tim Jittu had a late point flurry, and Christian Liberty fought past Konawaena 23-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-21 on Friday night.
The Big Island Interscholastic Federation boys volleyball divisional match was played at Wainaku Gym.
After falling in an early 1-0 hole, the Canefire won two straight tight games. In Game 4, Konawaena (1-1) grabbed a 9-6 lead and appeared ready to push the Canefire (2-0) to a fifth game. But the hosts regained their composure. Led by Freitas, Keanu Bergfeld and Ray Crawford, they tied it at 18-18 on a Freitas kill.
Bergfeld, who only started playing volleyball a year ago and had to overcome a broken arm last season, then had back-to-back aces to make it 20-18.
Jittu, a slender athlete with a quick jump and excellent timing, drilled the first of his four straight points to help Christian Liberty close the match.
His first kill made it 21-18, leading Wildcats coach Kahinu Lee to call a timeout.
Then with the Canefire on top 22-19, the confident Jittu hammered another kill, keeping the visitors on the ropes.
Freitas ripped a jumpserve into the net as Konawaena crept within 24-20. But after a Christian Liberty error made it 24-21, Jittu banged home the final point to hand the hosts the match at 3-1.
“Jittu tends to step up in those situations,” CLA coach Gary Oertel said. “That’s when he usually plays his best.”
Jittu finished with six kills, but four came in the clutch with Konawaena trying to stay in the match.
Bergfeld followed Freitas with 12 kills and was a tall tower at the net, either blocking or forcing the Wildcats to hit around him.
“Keanu has been playing well,” Oertel said. “We’re really pleased with his progress since he’s only played volleyball for a short time. He’s only getting better and better.”
Crawford had five kills and numerous digs to spark the Canefire defense along with libero Preston Cawagas, a 5-4 senior.
But Christian Liberty’s strong serving proved a potent part of its offense. The hosts had 15 aces compared to the Wildcats’ four. Freitas led with four aces. Crawford and senior setter Joven Miguel each had three, and Bergfeld added two.
Sophomore Gabriel Trevino led Konawaena with 15 kills, and the senior Randall Berdon chipped in with 12.
Konawaena has a young squad, with only two seniors — Berdon and setter Kaua Pulotu.
Wrestling
c Kamehameha-Hawaii has big day at state wrestling tournament: Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Kamehameha-Hawaii enjoyed a fine first day at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association wrestling tournament.
Megan Aina, a four-time BIIF champ, was among three Lady Warriors to earn berths in the semifinals Friday at Neal Blaisdell Center.
On the boys side, Kamehameha’s Akoakoa Paleka-Kennedy won a pair of matches to remain on track to defend his heavyweight title. In all, eight BIIF boys — including two apiece from Kamehameha, Konawaena and Kealakehe — and seven girls reached the final four.
The semifinal and championships matches are today.
After finishing fifth last season, Aina (103) is trying to add another state gold to the one she claimed in 2010. The Warriors’ Jasmine Iuta pinned two opponents to reach the semifinals in the 155 division, while Chantel Pohina was still alive at 130.
The Big Island still has two title hopefuls in the 220 division: Ka’u’s Keanu Mello Waiwaiole and Konawaena’s Aimee Shiraki each pinned an opponent on opposite sides of the bracket.
Former Wildcat Tanalei Louis (125), who now wrestles at Waiakea, and Hilo’s Kaylan Kanakanui also cruised through two rounds.
Paleka-Kennedy opened with a quick pin of McKinley’s Michael Gideon Tom, then scored a 4-1 decision against Punahou’s Matthew Sparks.
The only BIIF boy to pin both of his opponents Friday was Kealakehe’s Allin Franco (140). The Waveriders’ Robin Arellano (114) also advanced to the semifinals, as did Konawaena’s Justin Raymond (108) and Sage Aoki (120), Kamehameha’s Sky Kekona Souza (125), Keaau’s Cheyden Quiocho (135) and Hawaii Prep’s Troy Choi (215).
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