RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesMoanalua has the kind of problem every high school girls volleyball team wishes it had.
As Na Menehune swept a formidable Centennial (Corona, Calif.) squad 25-21, 25-21, to capture the Hawaii Invitational championship on Saturday afternoon, coach Alan Cabanting’s words were so true.
On Thursday, the longtime girls and boys coach noted that his team would be strong at the pin this season. Finding consistency at the middle would be a challenge That is the paradox, of course, for a team that features 6-foot-5 Surfia Grounds at outside hitter.
The junior was relentless and energetic in the attack, defending at the net, and at the back line. She had three aces to go with a match-high 10 kills. It was far from easy (.261 hitting percentage), but Grounds and her teammates were at their best down the stretch, the only team in the tourney to withstand and overcome Centennial’s length and long rallies. Even through the humidity of the last three days and nights, there’s a secret.
“We ate Trader Joe’s sour gummies before this,” Grounds explained.
Nona Carey tallied four kills and one ace, Alessandra Siazon had three kills and two blocks, and southpaw Kingston Auvaa added four kills. Cherish Matthews chipped in two key blocks as Moanalua rallied from a 9-3 deficit in the second set.
Setters Rylie Ramones (18 assists) and Alea Chew (six assists, two aces, two kills) were steady.
Moanalua is 9-0, ranked No. 5 in the Star-Advertiser Top 10. Next weekend, Moanalua plays in the Vegas Classic. Na Menehune ousted St. Joseph (Calif.) in the semifinals, 29-27, 25-20.
“We made huge progress. Our serving was tough,” Cabanting said. “We can definitely get better at our passing. We’ve got to get used to hitting against big blocks, especially when our passing is not great. We have the luxury of four big hitters outside and inside.”
Moanalua and Centennial were tied at 16 in the opening set before Na Menehune went on a 9-5 run to close it. Roxine Justa-Kawakami had one of Moanalua’s five aces in the first game during the closing run.
Centennial roared back in Game 2 behind Ryah Brock, who had three of her seven kills during the quick 9-3 run. Asia Udo-Ema also tallied seven kills, adding two aces. Lexi Lee had three blocks and Landyn Neal dished 19 assists.
Centennial went 8-1 in the tourney and is ranked No. 29 in California (MaxPreps).
Corona del Mar wins Windward Side title
Corona del Mar (Newport Beach, Calif.) withstood a gritty effort by Punahou for a 25-21, 26-24 sweep in the championship match of the Pride of the Windward Side tournament.
Sofia Dajnowiac pounded 11 kills and added two aces to lead Corona del Mar. Setter Isabella Spinella dished 21 assists. Cooper Piercey chipped in four kills and Myrto Charalabidi tallied three kills.
Carmen Lo led Punahou’s balanced attack with seven kills, adding one ace. Gioia Martin had five kills, while Leila Tevaga, Hanna Dziadurski, Zoe Keaney and Liliana Lawson chipped in three kills each.
Taj Davidson dished 13 assists and Emelia Thompson dished 12 assists while adding two aces.
Punahou (8-5) is ranked No. 4 in the Star-Advertiser Top 10.
In the third-place match, Campbell Hall (Calif.) def. No. 6 Mid-Pacific 25-16, 25-23.
Hawaii Prep World
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