Mustang Boys Claim Five All-Star Spots In OIA East VB
The afterglow from the Kalaheo boys volleyball season continued late last week with the unveiling of the OIA East All-Star teams.
The Mustangs placed five players on either the First or Second Teams. Only OIA Red champion Moanalua had more with seven.
Kalaheo finished the season at 13-4 overall, winning its first nine matches, and 11 of its first 12. They went on to take third in the OIA Red post-season tournament to earn a berth at the DI state championships. A loss to Waiakea in the first round ended its bid for a state title.
With three underclassmen among its five All-Star picks, Kalaheo should rank among the favorites in the OIA next season.
Receiving First Team accolades were senior Luke Owens and junior Nai’a Singlehurst. Senior Sheldon Dolan, junior Kupaa Harrison and sophomore Kainoa Peterson were Second Team selections for the Mustangs. Harrison also was an All-Conference pick in basketball, earning a spot on the East’s First Team. Teammate Daniel Beaton made Honorable Mention.
* Micha Tanuvasa-Maiava was named to the First Team from Kahuku, which finished 8-8 overall this spring. The Red Raiders came on strong in April, putting together a five-game win streak at one point to gain some momentum heading into the post-season. They eventually took fourth at the OIA Red tournament to a berth at the DI state tournament. A first-round loss to Kamehameha-Kapalama ended their season May 2. Earning Honorable Mention were Noel Thorp, Jurell Kai and Cameron Renaud.
* Sophomore Jack Andrade was named to the Second Team from Castle, which finished at 4-7. The Knights also saw SinJin Cornette, Dakota Graham, Aaron PiliRumusod, Kolby Matsushima and Justice Kaawa earn East Honorable Mentions.
* With the East’s DI and DII teams grouped together for the regular season, post-season honors are harder to come by for DII teams, as players from DI teams Kalaheo and Moanalua drew most of the votes.
With that in mind, Kailua had no First or Second Team picks despite winning the White title. Still, the young Surfrider team and head coach Cheriesse Shiroma managed to go 10-8 overall, earning a berth in the DII state tournament in the process.
“They have a tall team, and since they’re young, they’re going to be good for at least a few more years,” said longtime Aiea head coach Erin Okamoto-Coker, whose team finished as OIA DII runner-up to Kailua.
“They have many multi-sport players, and they’re all athletes.”
Losses to Hawaii Baptist Academy and Kapaa ended Kailua’s bid for a DII state title.
The Surfriders saw both Caleb Valero and Seth Thomas earn Honorable Mentions.
Reach Jack Danilewicz at jackster.1969@yahoo.com
