There were signs that this day was near for Makua Lani girls volleyball.
In the preseason, the Lions saw a surge in turnout, and even had the luxury of fielding a junior varsity team.
In its season-opener, Makua Lani won its first set in three-plus seasons before falling to Laupahoehoe.
Another three-set loss followed against St. Joseph, but on Saturday, signs finally pointed to victory. A 25-15, 25-23 win against Parker in Waimea represented the program’s first triumph since its inception in 2012.
“The girls were so super excited,” third-year coach Aaron Alapai said in an email to the Hawaii Tribune-Herald. “We’ve come close in our first two matches, but we still have lots of basics to work on.”
Ainsley Keawekane started the program at the behest of one of his club players, Karissa Komo, with Alapai as his assistant. But as Keawekane has been winning HHSAA championships at Konawaena the past two years, Alapai has been plugging away at Makua Lani without any club players at his disposal.
“We have a bigger roster this year, which I attribute to the returning squad encouraging their friends to come and have fun together,” Alapai said. “Lord knows it wasn’t our volleyball skills or wins.”
He credited his captains, Brianne Lauro and Neena Charles, with helping the team stick together on and off the court.
There’s no doubting the popularity of volleyball on the Big Island. With 17 schools participating in the sport, Makua Lani was placed in the Blue division along with seven smaller BIIF schools. In the regular season, Makua Lani doesn’t have to worry about dealing with the likes of Konawaena, Alapai’s alma mater.
But don’t pencil in Makua Lani as a volleyball school just yet. One look at Alapai’s coaching staff and you can tell what sport is the Lions’ No. 1 priority. Assistants Taylor Mix, Riley Alcos and Milton Alcos are all soccer coaches.
“For most of these girls on (both squads), it’s their first, second and third year of volleyball,” Alapai said. “We get what we get, and do what we can.”
At Makua Lani, a Christian academy, Alapai said there is always a guiding light.
“Each year of the program our team has gotten better, and unlike salvation in Christ, we have to continue working hard to keep progressing,” Alapai said. “Prayer for coaches, staff and parents is the biggest contributor to our program.”
“I personally and prayerfully am preparing them to do their best against every team we face, especially the Wildcats,” Alapai added.