HILO – Waiakea senior Kolby Aiona was born into volleyball. His mom Dawn (Mapes) Aiona used to play middle blocker for UH-Hilo back in the day, so he can credit her for his ability to jump high and hit hard and smart.
Aiona was a part of a powerful one-two outside hitting punch with Santana Madrid as Waiakea defeated Kealakehe 23-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-20 in a BIIF Division I showdown on Saturday at the Warriors Gym, a playoff preview of sorts.
It’s more likely than not that the Warriors (7-1) will host the Waveriders (4-3) in the BIIF semifinals on Wednesday, April 26.
If they meet again, at least, Kealakehe can reinforce its game plan to slow down Aiona, who smacked balls over, around and through the block for 25 kills, and Madrid, who found holes in a wall and piled up 20 kills.
“My mom has given me a lot of advice and worked with me on my timing. I try to learn from her. She’s a smart player,” said Aiona, whose mom still competes at the Haili Tournament.
The Warriors played with a smooth ball-control rhythm, digging and sending on-the-money passes to setter Nakana Labrie, who also had another nice option with freshman outside hitter Makana Kaehuaea-Credo.
He was promoted from the junior varsity a week ago and hammered 10 kills. Kaehuaea-Credo is the son of Pahoa girls assistant coach Sheri Kaehuaea and another player with volleyball genetics.
“Our digging and passing were a big part of our win,” Waiakea coach Napua Canda said. “When we do that, we can run our middles (Purtin Robinson and Damien Merseburgh). We’re playing a lot better now than we did last year and in the beginning of the season. We had good intensity and team energy.”
Labrie fed just enough balls to Robinson and Merseburgh to keep Kealakehe off-balanced. But a majority of the time, the 6-foot-3 Aiona went over the block, and the 5-11 Madrid worked balls around it.
“Kolby brings height to the team, and he can jump over everybody,” Canda said. “Santana is smart with his shots. He reads the block well. Our freshman (Kaehuaea-Credo) has a lot to offer. By the time, he’s a senior, he’ll be well-rounded. It was exciting to see a young guy step up to the plate.”
No matter how tough Kealakehe served, Waiakea’s serve-receive passing was consistent throughout the day, allowing the hitters to take clean swings and disrupt the visiting team’s momentum.
Freshman outside hitter Isaiah Hooper slammed 15 kills and junior Anthony “Head” Trevino added 12 kills for the Waveriders, who couldn’t match Waiakea’s firepower but can count on a bright future.
The ’Riders last reached the HHSAA state tournament in 2004, one year before statewide classification. The previous three seasons, they won the BIIF title during a mini-dynasty run, beating Waiakea three times.
Kealakehe coach Kahinu Lee is in his fourth year during a second tour of duty. He was the Waverider coach from 1997 to 2002. Lee also coached at Konawaena from 2004 to ’12.
Soon there may be a changing of the guard.
Waiakea’s core — Aiona, Madrid, Robinson, Merseburgh, defenders Marcus Kenui and Caleb Roque — are all seniors.
Kamehameha, the three-time defending BIIF champion, are also senior heavy.
“We’re young but very promising,” Lee said. “We need to work on the little stuff, passing, communication, and teamwork. We have a bright future, but we want to win now.”
Still, Lee can’t help but smile when he looks at his junior varsity squad, which got swept by Waiakea. There are 18 players on the roster, and Hooper looks like a keeper.
“I’ve been working with him for two years since he was in middle school,” said Lee, a former Rainbow Warrior libero. “He’s got height and athleticism as a freshmen and has skills. He reminds me of myself, but I was a 5-5 freshman when I came in at Konawaena. But he’s 6 feet 3 and growing.
“My other setter, Ikaika Pali, is only a sophomore, and Trevino is only a junior. We’ve got a lot of guys who’ll compete for spots next year.”
Like Hooper, the rest of the young Waveriders are growing, too, and only getting better.