PAHOA – Sheri Kaehuaea came out to support the Pahoa High boys basketball team the past few months with an ulterior motive in mind.
“Every time, we’d ask, “You’re trying out, right? You’re coming?” Kaehuaea said. “Come play volleyball.”
Slowly but surely, Kaehuaea’s recruiting efforts paid off.
The Daggers had eight players Monday, but that number had almost doubled two days later once all of their basketball players reported in after the HHSAA tournament.
Pahoa was 15 strong Saturday, and they ran wind sprints in unity after what Kaehuaea saw as a disjointed first set in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation match against Laupahoehoe.
“When they start slacking and don’t play as a team, we punish them as a team,” Kaehuaea said. “They didn’t want to talk to each other. They didn’t want to open up. In order for them to open up, I guess sprints did help. It woke them up a little.”
Behind Brycen Palama’s six kills, the Daggers kicked into gear for a 25-9, 25-19, 25-19 victory.
“It makes us want to talk more, so we don’t need to run,” Palama said.
Last season, Pahoa lost to Kohala in a play-in game to reach the BIIF Division II semifinals. Not only did a handful of seniors depart, but the Daggers suffered more attrition when some transferred to Keaau High because of the threat of the lava flow.
With an enrollment of approximately 64, Laupahoehoe (0-1) is led by many of the same players who helped the basketball team compete in Division II, including Kysen Datuin, Aasyn Datuin and Kadan Stamm.
Before thinking about postseason aspirations, Kaehuaea is simply content the Daggers (2-0) – who beat another small school, Ke Kula O Ehunuikaimalino, in their opener – will be able to field varsity and junior varsity team this season.
Palama is looking forward to Pahoa’s next match Tuesday at the Cougars’ gym.
“One of my main goals is to beat Keaau,” he said. “Just because they have our players doesn’t mean they are going to be better.”
Palama, a junior, is the only Dagger with club experience and is the primary hitting threat along with senior Torrell Thomas, who had four kills against the Seasiders. Junior Rosario added three.
Thomas was a contributor on Pahoa’s BIIF champion basketball team, and he gives the volleyball team some much-needed height.
“We told all the boys not to worry about their height,” Kaehuaea said. “Defense is the key.”
One of the most active people at the Daggers’ gym was assistant coach Kahea Rodrigues, who was busy shuffling in substitutions after each point. Players were in one moment and out the next. All 15 saw playing time, though some will play JV starting Tuesday against Keaau.
“A lot of time I’m asking, “Did you get in the game?” Kaehuaea said. “I didn’t see you.”