Konaweana opened the 2016 BIIF volleyball season against Pahoa Wednesday evening, and though the Wildcats picked up a 3-set victory (25-19, 15-25, 25-20) at home against the Daggers, the day did not go as planned for coach Ainsley Keawekane and
Konaweana opened the 2016 BIIF volleyball season against Pahoa Wednesday evening, and though the Wildcats picked up a 3-set victory (25-19, 15-25, 25-20) at home against the Daggers, the day did not go as planned for coach Ainsley Keawekane and his team.
With a 13-8 advantage midway through the first set, Konawaena veteran senior Anthony Ward went up to block a shot at the net, but he came down awkwardly, falling to the ground with an apparent ankle injury. He was helped off the court, while being careful not to put any weight on his right leg, and he exited the gym shortly after, leaving a big hole on the court for the Wildcats.
“He makes a big impact in our lineup and he gets what I am telling him,” Keawekane said. “You could see that everyone seemed to be lost after we had to sub in and it is my fault because I did not prepare us for something like that to happen. ”
The Wildcats struggled after the injury but managed to pull out a first set victory thanks to the front net play of Benjamin McKinley and Kealii Kuahuia.
However, Pahoa started to find that hole in the second set. The Daggers worked their way out to a 4-0 lead behind the service game of Kaelan Padilla. Konawaena cut the deficit to two, but several unforced errors allowed Pahoa to go up 10-5.
McKinley kept the Wildcats in the game with several kills, helping to close the gap to 14-13, but more unforced errors by Konawaena gave the Daggers the chance to put the game away for good and they took it.
In the final set, the Wildcats switched up their style to adjust to the absence of Ward. While relying on the two big hitters, McKinley and Kuahuia, Konawaena started to get help at the net from Keanu Caldwell and Viliami Kaea.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the third set but Pahoa came back to tie the set at 4-4. However, a nice touch over the front line by Kaea put Konawaena up by one and the Wildcats would not lose their lead again.
Konawaena used their big hitters to gain a pair 6-point leads late in the set before winning by five.
“We played a little flat tonight, especially after playing so well in Maui at the Seabury Tournament,” Keawekane said. “It is early in the season and we still have a lot of work to do.”
