HILO — Hilo High School’s boys varsity volleyball team maintained its citywide dominance with a 3-0 home victory over Waiakea High School on Wednesday night — its second sweep of WHS on the season.
The Vikings came out aggressively in the first set and quickly established a double-digit lead, which was boosted by multiple kills from Kanoa Pana, Raiden Ka’iwa Ware and Kawai Wilbur Gabrie — and a five-point run served by Peyton Pana. Hilo ended the set 25-12.
The Warriors put up much more of a fight in the third set, but ultimately fell 25-18.
Trailing 2-0, Waiakea did not give up in the third set— but fell again by 25-18.
HHS and WHS will both return to the court on Monday.
Waiakea will look to rebound with a 10 a.m. match at Kea‘au High School. Both the Cougars and the Warriors have been swept by the Vikings this season, but Waiakea defeated Kea‘au 3-1 in their last encounter.
Hilo will travel to Kealakehe High School for a 1 p.m. match. The Wave Riders will also be hunting for a win after getting swept at home by KSH the prior Monday.
On Wednesday, the Vikings will host Kea‘au for the pair’s second match-up of the season — and Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i will host Waiakea the same day for their first encounter of the season.
Hilo, now 4-1 overall, is competing with KSH (3-0) for the No.1 standing in BIIF Division I.
Waiakea moved to 2-2 after Wednesday’s loss, standing at No.3 above Kealakehe (1-4) AND Kea‘au (0-3).
The Vikings have defeated all other BIIF DI teams besides KSH. KSH has defeated Hilo once and Kealakehe twice.
KSH and the Hilo will face off in a decisive match-up at Hilo High School on Friday. The pair last met in an early-season outing at the start of the month, which ended in a fifth-set Warriors victory. Based on KSH and HHS’ current standings and records, Friday’s match could prove to be a preview of the BIIF DI Championship.