Konawaena’s hopes for a third straight title came to an earlier than expected end with a four-set loss to Le Jardin in the quarterfinals of the HHSAA Division II state tournament on Oahu Thursday evening. After taking the first set of the match 25-17, the No. 1 seeded Wildcats went down in three consecutive sets 17-25, 21-25, 20-25.
The third set proved crucial in the match with both teams battling and taking leads late in the contest.
With the match tied at 1-1, Konawaena (19-1) jumped out to an early 8-5 third set advantage off a kill by Taiana Tolleson. Le Jardin (10-5) fought back and tied the match at 11 off a Konawaena attacking error.
The Bulldogs would take a three-point advantage but the Wildcats never gave up, tying the match at 18 on a kill by Chanelle Molina. Another Molina kill gave Konawaena a one-point lead. However, a six-point swing by the Bulldogs proved to be the beginning of the end for the Wildcats. Le Jardin put the game away off an attacking error to go up 2-1 in the match.
In the final set, the teams remained close with Konawaena and Le Jardin tying the set at 20. However, a five-point run, led by Bulldog outside hitter Kassidy Naone closed out the match.
Naone recorded a game high 26 kills. Le Jardin’s Natalie Piper added 23 digs, Nina Krupa had 38 assists and Arianna Lunow-Luke finished with three blocks.
Molina was the Wildcats’ primary source of offense and defense. She recorded a team-high 25 kills and a game-high 25 digs. Celena Molina added 37 assists.
The Wildcats lose more than a half-dozen seniors from this squad, including Chanelle Molina, Mercedes “Ihi” Victor, McKenna Ventura and Tolleson.
With the loss, Konawaena drops the consolation bracket where they will have a shot at a fifth place finish in states. They will play in the consolation semifinals on Friday against University High. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.
Le Jardin — the ILH runner-up who did not make the state tournament last year —plays Farrington in the semifinals on Friday.
In other matches on Thursday, Hawaii Prep kept its season alive with a two-set victory over Pahoa 25-17, 25-15. Hawaii prep (8-13) will advance to the seventh place game where they will take on Kapaa (12-4) Friday at 4 p.m. With the loss, the season comes to an end for Pahoa (8-13).
After receiving a bye in the first round, Waiakea opened the HHSAA Division I tournament with a three-set quarterfinal loss to Kahuku 17-25, 20-25, 13-25. The Warriors (15-4) will drop down to the consolation bracket and and take on Kalaheo (12-5) at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
Kamehameha-Hawaii dropped their second game of the tournament, losing to Mililani 22-25, 20-25, ending their season with a 13-7 overall record.
