Hawaii Preparatory Academy received a “wake up call” in the first round of the HHSAA water polo tournament, falling to Kaiser 10-7 at the University of Hawaii’s Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex on Oahu. ADVERTISING Hawaii Preparatory Academy received a “wake
Hawaii Preparatory Academy received a “wake up call” in the first round of the HHSAA water polo tournament, falling to Kaiser 10-7 at the University of Hawaii’s Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex on Oahu.
“We did not know what to expect and came out a little flat,” Hawaii Prep head coach Greg McKenna said. “It was a good wake up call and the girls were able to stick with it and win the next three quarters. We just ran out of time.”
McKenna added that it was interesting to play Kaiser because of their similar style of play to Ka Makani.
“They were a really fast team and it was cool to go head to head with them,” McKenna said. “But it is disappointing that we are now heading to the consolation bracket. It is just a matter of getting back to work, with a no quit attitude and end the tournament with a win.”
Despite the loss, McKenna praised the play of Janelle Laros.
“She was definitely one of the strongest players today,” McKenna said. “She was able to draw a lot of ejections and that gave us a chance to score.”
Ka Makani will now prepare to play Wailua on Friday. Wailua lost to Roosevelt 14-4 on Wednesday.
This is Hawaii Prep’s sixth appearance in the state tournament (2004, 05’, 06’, 10’, 13’, 14’) and Ka Makani have a 6-9 record in those appearances.
Kaiser will move on to play No. 1 Punahou. The eight time defending champion Buffanblu are making their 11th appearance in the state tournament and have a perfect 30-0 record, with 10 titles under head coach Ken Smith.
On the other side of the bracket, No. 3 seed and BIIF champion Kamehameha-Hawaii will take on Kamehameha-Kapalama on Thursday after receiving a first round bye. The seven-time defending Big Island champion Warriors boast a .500 record (15-15) in the state tournament.
