KAILUA-KONA — Dig, set, spike, score — it’s a pretty simple formula that allows the team who masters it best to win consistently.
In the BIIF, Konawaena and Hawaii Preparatory Academy have shown the most consistency in Division II in executing the formula over the past few years and the 2016 season was no exception as the Wildcats and Ka Makani met for the fourth consecutive time in the DII title match on Friday at Kealakehe High School.
For the third year in a row, Konawaena got the best of Hawaii Prep in the championship match, winning in straight sets 25-16, 25-13, 25-18, while executing a pre-planned strategy to perfection.
“Basically we knew who they were and were able to serve the ball to put them where we wanted them,” said Konawaena head coach Ainsley Keawekane. “They kept setting on the outside and that is where we wanted them to set because that is where my two big blockers were, Celena (Molina) and Anastasia (Tuifua). It is something that we studied a lot and fortunately it worked for us tonight. ”
While Molina and Tuifua executed their part well up front, Ha’ene Keawekane was the key cog on the back line and at the service line.
“Ha’ene runs the back court and makes sure other players know their roll,” Ainsley Keawekane said. “Celena operates the offense and can make poor passes look good. Sometimes it is hard to tell if it is a bad pass or a good pass because she makes everything look good.”
Despite the straight set victory, neither team could take an advantage early. Through the first 26 points, one team would gain a one or two point advantage and then the other would tie.
At 13-13, the Wildcats found their rhythm, rolling off seven straight points. McKayla Ventura, who also had a good day at the line, served through the run, picking up an ace. Konawaena spread the ball around at the net, picking up points from Celena Molina, Cherilyn Molina and Tuifua.
Hawaii Prep called two time outs during the run but could not stop the Wildcats from scoring. The run finally came to an end when Madi Lee picked up a point off a block.
Konawaena’s Tuifua and Hawaii Prep’s Lee did some damage at the net late in the set, but the Wildcats took the one set lead when a shot by HPA ended up in the net.
In the second set, the Wildcats pounced a little earlier, going up 7-3 behind Celena Molina at the line. Mahiehie Kaawa picked up three of the first seven points of the set for Konawaena. She scored off a pair of blocks and a kill.
Hawaii Prep continued to struggle, falling behind 20-9. With the set well in hand, Konawaena’s Kaawa put the Wildcats up by two on a well placed spike down the right line.
Ka Makani found some offense at the beginning of the third set, going up 11-6. However, after a timeout, Konawaena settled down and began to close the gap. The Wildcats tied the set at 12-12 on back-to-back spikes by Tuifua. She then gave her team the lead on the following point.
At 15-14, Konawaena began to pull away with Ventura serving. The final point came when the a Hawaii Prep defender tried to stop a hard Konawaena shot, but the ball sailed deep, giving the Wildcats their third straight league title.
Now Konawaena, which has won two of the last three state titles, sets its sights on the HHSAA tournament, where the coach really only has one goal.
“Don’t lose in the first round like we did last year, that is the expectation,” Ainsley Keawekane said. “After that we will see what happens.”
In the third place match, Kohala defeated Honokaa 23-25, 25-15, 25-23, 25-22. Both teams have already qualified for the state tournament.
The Division II HHSAA tourney runs from October 26-29 on Oahu.