WAIMEA – As they entered Waimea Tuesday night, Konawaena was tied with Hawaii Prep for first place atop the BIIF Division II standings.
Leaving Waimea, the Wildcats had first place all to themselves after a 25-12, 25-17, 27-25 sweep of Ka Makani.
Despite the sweep, the Wildcats’ head coach is making sure his team stays grounded and prepared for a potential rematch in the BIIF postseason.
“I think they may have been just a little off tonight,” said Konawaena head coach Ainsley Keawekane. “All in all, it’s a good fight.
“We’re not at the end of the season yet; in the playoffs, we’ll see who’s the true winner. We may have won tonight, but we never know until the end of the season.”
After close starts to each of the first two sets, Konawaena was able to take control and use impressive runs to claim both the first and second sets.
In the first set, the Wildcats closed on a 10-0 run. In the second, Konawaena scored 11 of the final 14 points. Senior outside hitter Chelsea Velez played crucial roles in both sets; she served during the Wildcats’ first-set 10-0 run, and delivered the final kill in the second set.
“Yesterday, we talked about our seniors being leaders, being disciplined, controlling your team,” said Konawaena head coach Ainsley Keawekane. “There’s a time to have fun, and there’s a time when it’s business. They took care of business today.”
Keawekane also made a point to recognize junior outside hitter Kaelyn Shibuya, who had a number of key kills late to seal the sweep.
“She’s just good all around; she has all the tools we need to go after any team,” said Keawekane. “But it’s a six-man sport… If I had six of her, I think we’d be looking at the championships pretty easy.”
Konawaena (5-1) has now won four in a row as they look forward to their next contest: at home against Makua Lani (0-4) Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, Hawaii Prep (4-2) has lost their last two contests after opening their BIIF schedule with four straight wins. Ka Makani look to get back on track Saturday morning, when they travel to Laupahoehoe (1-6).
In other BIIF action Tuesday night, the Kohala Cowgirls defeated the Canefire of Christian Liberty 18-25, 25-14, 25-18, 25-16. The win lifts Kohala’s BIIF record to 4-3, while Christian Liberty drops to 1-6.
The Cowgirls host Kealakehe (3-3) Wednesday, while CLA travels to Keaau (1-5) on Friday for their next contest.
Pahoa notched their second BIIF victory of the season Tuesday, sweeping Laupahoehoe 25-16, 25-23, 25-16.
The Daggers will travel to Parker (1-3) Saturday morning.