KEALAKEKUA – With the BIIF playoffs right around the corner, the Konawaena Wildcats are firing on all cylinders.
Konawaena made quick work of cross-town rival Kealakehe Wednesday night in their regular-season finale, winning 25-19, 25-15, 25-9 to up their conference record to 12-2. The Wildcats have clinched one of the top two seeds – alongside Hawaii Prep – in the BIIF Division II Playoffs, meaning they will host winner in one of Saturday’s two quarterfinal contests Monday evening in the D-II semifinals.
While the visiting Waveriders never allowed the Wildcats to break away on any huge runs during the first two sets – the longest Konawaena run in set 1 and 2 was five points – the Wildcats were able to count on consistent and largely error-free play from hitters Chelsea Velez, Kaelyn Shibuya and middle blocker Kaitea Galletes to steadily pull away and build a 2-0 lead. The glue to Konawaena’s offense was setter Taimane Alo, who earned praise from her coach following the contest.
“My hat’s off to our setter Taimane,” said Konawaena head coach Ainsley Keawekane. “She did a great job tonight; she was a great leader.”
The Wildcats put all facets of their game together in the third set, reeling off separate 4-0, 6-0, and 7-0 runs to bring a quick end to their senior night contest.
With their attention now fully on the postseason, Konawaena hopes to earn one of the three Division II spots allotted to the BIIF for the 2022 State Tournament. Keawekane is confident his team has what it’ll take to make some noise in the postseason.
“We’ve just got to stay together.”