Konawaena’s shot to make BIIF history in girls volleyball will be made a little easier, when the season starts on Aug. 18.
The Wildcats will be shooting for an unprecedented HHSAA state championship three-peat, which would set them apart from Hilo. The Vikings, under Luella Aina, won titles in 1972 and ’74, long before statewide classification.
Under coach Ainsley Keawekane, Kona could also join Hawaii Baptist Academy, which won state titles in 2007, ’08 and ’09, as the only Division II three-time champion.
The BIIF is providing a helping hand, bringing back the talent-stacked division and putting 16 games on the schedule with two rounds of play.
Residing in the Red division are the league’s toughest teams: Kamehameha, Waiakea, Hilo, Kealakehe, Keaau from Division I, and Kona, Hawaii Prep, Kohala and Pahoa from Division II.
In the Blue division, it’s Honokaa, Ka‘u, Christian Liberty, HAAS, Ehunui, Laupahoehoe, Makua Lani, Parker and St. Joseph, all from Division II. Honokaa is the only team that went to states last season.
That old saying “playing tough competition is the best way to get better” will be reinforced with Kona’s appearance at the prestigious Ann Kang Invitational Tournament, held Aug. 20-22 at Iolani School.
Punahou, the defending Division I champion, will be there, along with several other state tournament teams.
The Wildcats return all of their starters, but five are seniors: outside hitters Chanelle Molina, Alissa Nahale-Blanco, Taiana Tolleson, middle blockers Ihi Victor and McKenna Ventura, who also sets.
Last season the Wildcats won the BIIF title for the first time since 1998, helped by a pair of first-time players in Nahale-Blanco and Tolleson, a standout soccer goalie.
Molina has been named the Division II All-Tournament team’s Most Outstanding Player the last two years.
She’s also the reigning BIIF player of the year. Her sister junior setter Celena Molina was also an All-BIIF first-team pick.
Ventura and junior libero Haena Keawekane landed on the second team.
Last season was the debut of the youngest Molina and Ventura siblings. Cherilyn Molina and McKayla Ventura were freshmen back-row defenders.
The Wildcats host Kealakehe in their BIIF season-opener on Wednesday, Aug. 19 in the last time all the Molina and Ventura sisters will play together.
It’s also a chance for Konawaena to make a bit of history, too.
Volleyball notes
Keawekane took his Hoopa girls 12 club team to the 42nd AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, Fla., where the squad finished 10-2.
Kamehameha coach Guy Enriques took his Southside boys 16 and 18 teams to the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships, which will be held June 28-July 5 in Columbus, Ohio.
Kamehameha assistant coach Chris Leonard took his Pilipaa girls 14 team to the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships, which will be held Tuesday-July 2 in New Orleans.