East Oahu Teams Place High In Girls Volleyball League Awards

Kalani senior Kaiana Iaea has been named an OIA Red Conference First Team Volleyball All-Star. An outside hitter/middle blocker, he helped lead the team to an 11-7 mark overall, including a berth in the Division I state volleyball tournament.

The team went 9-3 in the OIA East and took fourth at the Red Conference.

Teammate Puamana Danielson was picked for the East’s Second Team, while Honorable Mentions went to Courtney Panoke, Kerri Okino, Rika Okino, Melia Kekauoha and Megan Kawano.

Senior Annika Rigterink was named to the East’s Second Team from Kaiser, which finished 6-8 this fall. Cougars Micaela Bitanga, Kayla Nihipali, Maya Honma, Kailey Segundo, Karley DeMello, Shaina Epstein and Makena Kaaialii were Honorable Mentions.

In Division II, Kaimuki came on strong late to earn one of the OIA’s berths in the DII state volleyball tournament. While the Bulldogs finished 6-12 overall, most losses were to Division I powers. A win over Kailua, the DII OIA runner-up, at the state tournament was a highlight this fall. The team had dropped both previous games between the schools before the state-level win.

Seniors Allison Pologa and Tonia Palik led the way for the Bulldogs. Both were recognized for their efforts and named to the East’s Second Team. They are among only four players named to the East’s First or Second Team from a DI school. (DII OIA champion Farrington had League Co-Player of the Year Trinity Alualu and Savannah Kahakai on the First Team.)

Kaimuki also had six Honorable Mention players – Amako Kinere, Valerie Wilson, Tia Masanaiai, Jennylyn Jesse, Kawena Paez and Nikki Vongprachanh.

Also in Division II, Keonaona Kahawai-Javonero, Maleka Benjamin, Melemanu King, Hepua Medina, Kapua Kiko, Kawekiu Cosma, Laamea Paleka and Keiki Adversalo-Clarke earned Honorable Mention from Anuenue.