For so long, there has been little suspense in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I volleyball title chase because Kamehameha was so far ahead of the field with talent-loaded rosters.
Since 2004, the Warriors have won nine out of the last 11 BIIF championships, finishing as the runner-up to Waiakea in 2008 and ’09, and putting a monopoly on a berth to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I state tournament.
When statewide classification started in 2005, Hilo dropped down to Division II and qualified for states from 2006 to ’09, then moved back up to Division I and made state trips from 2011 to ’13.
Whether the Vikings were at the Division I or II level, there was never much parity among the BIIF’s Division I teams. Kealakehe went to states in 2006, but during the last 11 years either Hilo or Waiakea grabbed a state berth.
Next year figures to have the most competitive balance at the Division I level since the introduction of statewide classification as Kamehameha loses all its starters, minus junior setter Kamalu Makekau-Whittaker.
BIIF runner-up Waiakea will be the consensus title favorite with the return of four starters, including two freshmen with college potential in outside hitter Kayla Kahauolopua and libero Jordyn Hayashi, who has the coveted skill-set of court vision, ball-handling and quickness.
Warriors coach Ashley Hanohano’s team has additional firepower with junior middle blocker Kadara Marshall, one of the league’s most athletic players next to Konawaena’s Chanelle Molina, junior setter/hitter Hiilei Ishii-Chaves and sophomore right-side hitter Lindsey Kakano Maikui.
The ball-control will be in good shape with sophomore setter Taniah Ayap and sophomore back-row defender Casi Gacusana. Both had solid performances in the BIIF tournament.
In the BIIF semifinals, Hilo lost to Waiakea in five exciting sets. It was one of the best matches between the crosstown rivals in a long time, and next year will be a return to those old glory-year battles.
The Vikings return a sure-handed libero in junior Nalani Thomas, and a pair of big-time hammers in junior Keola Katayama and freshman Kawai Ua. Sophomore setter Saydee Fujioka and junior outside hitter Maalahi Remmers picked up priceless experience in that five-set semifinal marathon.
Kealakehe will be the wild card because three attackers return in juniors Nika Paogofie-Buyten and Rashai Kailiwai, and sophomore Nicole Cristobal. Sophomore libero Tara Kekuaokalani will give the Waveriders steady ball-handling.
Paogofie-Buyten has an arsenal of shots, including a good roll shot. She knocked down nine kills against Kamehameha in a three-set loss in the BIIF semifinals. Kailiwai, who swings hard, added eight kills.
What two in D-II?
It’s a slam dunk that Konawaena will be the favorite for a BIIF Division II title repeat. The Wildcats return all of their starters, and have a confidence level that reaches Cloud Nine after back-to-back state crowns.
The musical chairs fight for the league’s other two spots for states will be fun and entertaining.
Hawaii Prep loses four key starters in seniors Gabbie Ewing and Ula Brostek, a pair of outside hitters, and middle blockers Alaina Bradley and Anna Juan. They were pretty much all of the offense.
However, don’t count out Ka Makani coach Sharon Peterson’s ability to take inexperienced players, tinker with their mechanics, shape their mindset, and turn them into a cohesive unit come playoff time. That’s a reason her ballclubs have been to states the last nine years.
She’s got potential in setter Elizabeth Jim, outside hitter Haley Dow, libero Julia Perry and middle blocker Madi Lee. The first two are juniors and the latter two are freshmen.
Honokaa, the BIIF’s No. 3 team, loses five senior starters. That’s a big hit, but at least coach Mike Fernandez gave valuable playing time at states to sophomores Randy Iona and Leilani Pupuhi and freshman Delsey Vaimauga.
Pahoa returns five starters: three sophomores in setter Daecee Subia, outside hitter Tapenga Orevillo, and middle blocker Faith Manuel-Kamakeeaina, and a pair of juniors in outside hitter Jordyn Tagalicod and middle Golden Rowan.
This year, the Dragons defeated the Daggers in the third-place game. Fernandez had a trump card in talented Monica Muskat, a 5-10 senior middle. Next year, Pahoa coach Precious Salazar will have the upper hand with a pair and three of a kind.