KEALAKEKUA — Konawaena entered the season with some big shoes to fill after the departure of several seniors. The outsider hitter position took the biggest hit, where the Wildcats lost both their starters, including standout Chanelle Molina.
While the team has been successful in transitioning two veteran defensive specialists into the roles of outside hitter, the road to success has not been easy this season for Konawaena (3-3), especially when Celena Molina, the team’s top player and leader this year, went down with an ankle injury.
Of the team’s three losses this year, two came without Celena Molina in the lineup. Molina came back early from her injury, just in time for a match-up with Waiakea on Sept. 10, but the Wildcats fell to the Warriors without Molina at 100 percent.
“It is tough not having her on the court,” head coach Ainsley Keawekane said. “We were able to get her back a week and a half ago and it is nice to have her out there talking to the girls and motivating them.”
Molina’s leadership was noticeable on the court on Wednesday in Konawaena’s three-set home victory over Ka’u. The Wildcats beat the Trojans 25-9, 25-16, 25-12.
Molina, who was the team’s primary setter through her junior year, has taken on a more versatile role this year, and against Ka’u she was all over the court — setting plays and picking up points from the outside. She is also one of the best defenders on the team.
“It has been going pretty well,” Molina said. “We lost a lot of seniors and had to adjust with new players. They are showing a lot of improvement.”
Two girls who had to step up by playing out of position were juniors Cherilyn Molina and McKayla Ventura. The two defensive specialists have shown quick growth in the outsider hitter role.
“They have really worked hard during practice,” Keawekane said. “The biggest improvement I have seen as the season goes along is that they are able to make better choices now. Perhaps once in a while I might have to remind them, but all I have to do is yell ‘choice’ and they get it right away.”
One of the biggest roles to fill this year is setter, with Celena Molina filling other spots on the court.
The Wildcats started with Mahiehie Kaawa at the role, but Keawekane soon found out that the team needed her on the back line with Ha’ena Keawekane — his daughter — who is also the team’s leading server, but was missing on Wednesday due to a church service.
After Kaawa moved to the backline, Anaselita Taetuna took over the setting duty.
“She comes from a volleyball family and her mother was a great player,” Keawekane said. “I am expecting big things from her.”
After pulling back to .500 with the win against Ka’u (2-9), and Celena Molina back in the fold, the Wildcats are firmly back on the path towards another BIIF title.
“I want to continue to see growth, along with more communication and more confidence as the season goes on,” Keawekane said. “I always tell the kids, it is not how you start the season, it is how you finish it.”