KAILUA-KONA — After a back-and-forth, gritty affair, Christian Liberty Academy girls volleyball prevailed against Makua Lani in five frames on Tuesday night in Old Airport Gym — 25-22, 25-22, 15-25, 9-25 and 15-12. The Canefire improved to 3-6 in 2023, tied for No. 8 in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division-II standings with St. Joseph’s and Laupahoehoe (as of Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 4). The Lions went to 1-8 and moved down to No. 12 in BIIF Division II.
CLA started the match in control, winning the first two sets narrowly. Makua Lani then fought back to make it anyone’s match — diving for digs, setting up teammates for kills and communicating amongst each other. The Lions’ resiliency gave Makua Lani all the momentum going into the final set.
However, the Canefire corralled and finished business in the fifth interval, escaping with the road win.
Riding a two-match win streak, CLA will enjoy the rest of the week off to prepare for Honoka‘a at 5 p.m. Wednesday at home, where the Canefire will look to keep building on its momentum. The Lions will next take the court against St. Joseph’s at 5 p.m. Friday at Old Airport.
Pahoa escapes Parker
The Daggers came away with an important victory, outlasting BIIF No. 4-ranked Parker School on Tuesday night at home.
After losing to Kohala on Friday, Pahoa slid to the No. 6 BIIF DII standing as the Cowgirls captured No. 5. The win against the Bulls will put the Daggers back in the top five at a 7-4 record.
Tuesday’s match was truly back-and-forth — with Parker winning the first set 25-19, Pahoa winning the second 25-21, Parker winning the third 25-18 and Pahoa responding with a 25-18 win for the fourth.
The Daggers shut it down with a 15-10 fifth set win.
Only two regular season matches remain for Pahoa — its final home game, slated for 5 p.m. Monday (Oct. 9) against Kanu o ka ‘Aina (0-9), and its final match the next day against St. Joseph School at the Hilo Armory.
The Bulls still have several opportunities to pull back up into a higher standing, as all three of their remaining matches are against teams who are currently in the BIIF DII playoff picture. Parker will host Kohala at 9 a.m. on Saturday, then will play its final home game the evening of Monday (Oct. 9) against Honoka‘a. The Bulls will cap off their season on the road the next day at Konawaena.
Cardinals sweep Seasiders
St. Joseph’s notched its third win of the season, and positioned themselves closer to obtaining a berth in the BIIF DII playoffs.
Though Laupahoehoe kept things close, SJS swept the homestanding Seasiders in straight sets of 25-19, 25-19 and 25-22.
St. Joseph has moved to a 3-6 record, entering a three-way tie for No.8 in BIIF DII with Laupahoehoe and Christian Liberty Academy, who each also hold 3-6 records. CLA beat SJS last week, and Laupahoehoe beat CLA earlier in the season.
If there is still a tie for the standing by the end of the season, a tiebreaker match will be held on Oct. 18.
Three matches remain for the Cardinals. SJS will play away against Makua Lani Christian (1-8) on Friday, starting at 6 p.m. at the Kealakehe HS gym. The Cardinals’ final home game will be Tuesday’s against Pahoa, then they will end their season on the road at Kohala.
The Seasiders still have a chance to add more wins at two upcoming road tests and a home game — Kanu o ka ‘Aina on Saturday morning at Waimea Park and Makua Lani on Tuesday evening at Old Kona Airport. Laupahoehoe will end its season at home against Konawaena on Saturday, Oct. 14.