The Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) boys volleyball season continued to kick off with the start of another week of action Monday on both sides of the island. Matches will continue throughout the week.
Ka‘u 3, Pahoa 2
Ka‘u boys volleyball started the week strong after escaping the hosting Daggers in five sets in Pahoa town. The Trojans improved to over .500 at 3-2 while Pahoa dropped to 3-3.
Ka‘u won the first set 25-19, but the Daggers countered by stealing the second frame 25-22. The Daggers responded by winning the third set 25-22. Pahoa quickly avoided the four-set loss by winning set No. 4 25-22 once again.
In the fifth decisive set, the Trojans dug deep and escaped with the 15-9 win.
Excel Bonoan, Karsen Polido-Tuafia, Daetan Castillo, Vladmir Fedooruk and Adahdiyah Ellis-Reyes combined for 49 of the team’s 54 kills for Ka‘u. Teammate setters Kendall Calumpit and Kilinahe Navarro logged 47 total assists between the pair.
As a team, the Trojans played strong defense at the net, collecting eight blocks.
The Daggers were led by Ryden Devaney, who posted a match-high 13 kills. Teammates Kyren Canete, Dayten Fujiyama and Elima Antoque combined for 27 kills. Pahoa had 52 kills in total.
Setter Jheyden Haili ran the offense, distributing for a match-high 37 assists on 87 attempts (.425). The team only recorded three cumulative blocks.
Ka‘u will next be tested against Hilo at 5 p.m. tonight in Pahala. Junior varsity will play first, and varsity will follow immediately afterward.
Pahoa will take the rest of this week off to reset for its next match against Hilo on Monday night inside the Daggers’ gymnasium.
Kona 3, Kanu 0
Konawaena boys volleyball began its two-match homestand against Kanu o ka ‘Aina, winning in straight sets inside Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium.
The Wildcats won in set scores of 25-17, 25-20 and a competitive 26-24 final frame. Kona improved to 3-0 in the early season, while Kanu remained winless at 0-2.
The green and white will have the rest of the week off before returning to their home floor against Kohala on Monday night in Kealakekua.
Kanu will be back at 5 p.m. Friday to take on the hosting Cowboys in Kapa‘au.
Kea‘au 3, Connections 0
Kea‘au boys volleyball earned win No. 1 of the young season after a straight-sets sweep over Connections inside the Cougars’ gymnasium. Kea‘au elevated itself to 1-5 while the ‘Io fell to 0-5.
The Cougars won by set scores of 25-12, 25-10 and 25-12.
The two teams will rematch at 10 a.m. Saturday inside Hilo Armory.
