Captain Comeback was always doing push-ups, not that Kealakehe senior Anthony “Head” Trevino minded, even during matches.
That was a self-improvement mechanism. Hit the volleyball into the net. Do push-ups during a timeout.
It worked and led to a double scoop of accomplishments, with each weighing heavily on the scales of improbability.
First, who would have thought that the Waveriders would capture the BIIF Division I title?
Second, who would have guessed that Trevino, whose primary sport is football, would be selected as the BIIF player of the year, in a vote by the league’s coaches, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald and West Hawaii Today?
History would remind everyone that the old powers — Kamehameha and Waiakea — rule on the court in both areas: team and individual awards.
Kealakehe last captured the BIIF championship in 2003. After that year, Kamehameha and Waiakea have taken turns wearing the crown.
It’s the first POY honor for Trevino, who landed on the All-BIIF first team for football as a utility player. When he heads to Golden West college, he’ll be a candidate at quarterback, wide receiver, kicker or on defense.
“As the year was going on, I wasn’t focusing on POY,” Trevino said. “As a team, we had a goal in mind to get to BIIFs and win. POY was never a thought at the time.
“It means a lot to me, but it’s sweeter being my senior year. Also, it’s my first BIIF championship in all the sports I played. I didn’t think I’d be POY. Volleyball is not my first sport. It goes to show you what a good coach and coaching did for me in volleyball.”
In order of votes, the other All-BIIF first team members are Kamehameha senior Nalu Kahapea, Kealakehe sophomore Isaiah Hooper, Kamehameha senior Isaiah Nakoa-Oness, Kealakehe junior Ikaika Pali, Kamehameha junior Kamahao Kawelu and Waiakea senior Nakana Labrie.
Kealakehe’s Kahinu Lee was named as the BIIF coach of the year.
Last season, no Waverider was voted to the first team. Trevino and Hooper received honorable mention.
Perhaps in 20 years, Trevino and his teammates will have a get-together of “Remember when” moments, such as remember when the Waveriders beat Kamehameha twice in five sets, after trailing from 2-0 set deficits?
In the BIIF championship, Kealakehe outscored the Warriors 15-7 in Game 5. The ’Riders smoked 12 kills with zero errors on 19 swings for a red-hot .632 hitting clip.
Trevino (30 kills, 64 swings, .328 hitting clip), Hooper (25, 56, .393), Kahapea (28, 68, .265), and Nakoa-Oness (24, 54, .315) accounted for 84 percent of the offense.
It was counter-punching at its finest by the four All-BIIF first team outside hitters on April 25 at Ellison Onizuka gym.
“When we were losing to Kamehameha, the team started to get down, but I remained positive, and my phrase was, ‘If you want to be mad, we can be mad after the game. We’re not done yet.’ I kept encouraging the team to remain positive,” Trevino said. “And I was the captain so I had to be positive myself.
“Upsetting Kamehameha and Waiakea toward the end of the season and in BIIFs, nobody thought we would be contending for the BIIF title or the state championship.”
Kealakehe whipped Waipahu in four sets in the quarterfinals of the HHSAA state tournament. Punahou won in four sets in the semifinals and Iolani beats the Waveriders in a two-setter in the third-place match.
But how did the Waveriders get there in the first place?
Captain Comeback is 6 feet 1 and 205 pounds, but Trevino didn’t start to play volleyball until his sophomore year.
Well, that’s where the push-ups come in.
“Hardest worker in the gym, day in and day out,” Lee said. “It didn’t matter if we played a game the night before. He always wanted to be better, quick learner and always strived to be the best.
“Head always asked me how and what he could do. He brought leadership and was a positive role model with a never give up attitude every day. The young man has the three Ds as I call it in my gym: desire, determination, and drive.”
At that “Remember when” get-together in two decades, someone will mention the guy with the perfectly shaped head who used to do push-ups all the time.
That’s when the old coach, Kahinu Lee, will put the final stamp of approval on Trevino’s POY season.
“Hands down, the best player in the BIIF,” Lee said.
All-BIIF volleyball
Division I
First team
Anthony Trevino, Kealakehe, OH, 12
Isaiah Hooper, Kealakehe, OH, 10
Ikaika Pali, Kealakehe, S, 11
Nalu Kahapea, Kamehameha, OH, 12
Isaiah Nakoa-Oness, Kamehameha, OH, 12
Kamahao Kawelu, Kamehameha, L, 11
Nakana Labrie, Waiakea, S, 12
Player of the year
Anthony Trevino, Kealakehe
Coach of the year
Kahinu Lee, Kealakehe
Honorable mention
Kealakehe: Ismail Souza, Nainoa Cabalo
Kamehameha: Kamau Makaike, Chyston Loa, Davin Masanda
Waiakea: Peter-Kalani Suiaunoa, Makana Kaehuaea-Credo
Hilo: Kaala Deitch, Kekaukahi Alameda, Cy Alicuben, Kadedin Ioane-Ogawa, Lono Vincent
Keaau: Styles Primacio, Branden Pagala, Shane Namnama
