KEALAKEKUA — Konawaena boys volleyball opened its season in dominant fashion on Wednesday at Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium.
The Wildcats handled Kanu`o ka`Aina in straight sets — 25-17, 25-6 and 25-11.
The match started with some competitive back and forth, with Kona missing a few kill opportunities at the net, allowing Kanu to keep pace with the defending Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division II champions. Kanu’s Lukela Landers additionally recorded a few masterful spikes on the home team’s defense. Wildcats coach August Dias called for a timeout midway through the first set once Kanu cut the early deficit to 14-13.
Coming out of the timeout, Kona never looked back — changing its attack by using fake spike opportunities to confuse the opposition. This charge was led by the sibling star duo of Elijah and Ellison Morgan, who took turns hitting the ball to the middle of the floor — generating a multitude of points that kept the Wildcats in the driver’s seat.
Dias’ group took the same approach for the remaining two sets, which was enough to cruise to victory.
Kona (1-0) finished 2023 at 13-3 overall and beat Pahoa in five sets for the DII crown. Finishing sixth overall at states, the Wildcats will look to climb higher in the new season by building off their past success. Their next step in the process will be against KS-Hawai‘i in this weekend’s tournament — playing at 4:30 p.m. today against ‘Iolani School and at 8:15 p.m. against Kalani High.
The green and white will then Parker at 5 p.m. Wednesday at home in continuation of their regular season.
Kanu (0-2) will play defending BIIF runner-up Pahoa at 6 p.m. Monday on the road.
WAIAKEA 3, KEA‘AU 1
Waiakea High and Kea‘au High’s boys volleyball teams opened up the season and BIIF Division I action on Wednesday night in Puna.
WHS’ varsity team prevailed 3-1 — winning the first set 25-18, losing No. 2 26-24 and winning the third and fourth sets 25-18 and 25-12, respectively.
Kea‘au’s JV team defeated the Warriors 2-1 — winning the third set 16-14 after losing the second 25-18 and winning the first 25-23.
Waiakea is now off to a 1-0 start, while the Cougars are 0-1. Both teams have a busy weekend ahead, as they will take part in the Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i invitational tournament today and Saturday.
The Warriors and Cougars will clash again at 7 p.m. today at KSH’s La‘amea Gym during the tourney’s pool play. Waiakea and Kea‘au are both in Pool D with O‘ahu’s Nanakuli High and Mililani High.
All of Pool D’s matches will be played at La‘amea Gym — with pool play starting today and ending mid-morning Saturday. The Cougars’ first game will tip off at 3:15 p.m. today as they take on Mililani. The Warriors’ first matchup of the tournament will be at 4:30 p.m. today against Nanakuli.
Waiakea and Kea‘au will get back into BIIF play next week. The Warriors will play away Tuesday night at KS-Hawai‘i, and on Thursday night at Hilo High. The Cougars will also have a road test against the Vikings, playing Saturday.
WAIAKEA 20, KA‘U 0
Waiakea High and Ka‘u High’s softball teams played their first regular season outing, as the Warriors routed the Trojans 20-0 on Wednesday in Pahala.
Now 0-1, Ka‘u will look to get its first season win at a road test — as the Trojans play away at 11 a.m. Saturday against Kea‘au High for the Cougars’ season opener. Ka‘u and Kea‘au’s baseball teams will face off afterward, with the start slated for 1 p.m.
Waiakea will be back in action Wednesday, hosting Pahoa High (1-0).
PARKER 3, CLA 2
Parker boys volleyball won an exciting match against Christian Liberty to earn its second win of the new season.
The Bulls won the opening set 25-11, but the Canefire answered right back — tying things up after a 25-19 second set. Parker won the next frame 25-13, but CLA responded with another close set victory by winning 25-20.
In the fifth and final set, the Bulls escaped 15-0 to earn the 3-2 victory.
Parker (2-0) next plays Waimea rival Hawaii Prep at 6 p.m. Monday in Ka Makani’s Castle Gym. The Canefire (0-1) will look to right the ship against Honoka‘a at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Dragons’ gymnasium.
