Windward Girls Volleyball Teams Shine As All-Stars
The month of November was truly one to remember for Castle, Kailua, Kalaheo and Kahuku girls volleyball programs.
All four programs reached the New City Nissan State Tournament this year, with Castle and Kahuku earning bids in Division I, and Kalaheo and Kailua qualifying in Division II.
The strength of the Windward programs also was evident in Oahu Interscholastic Association’s All-Star teams, which were selected recently in a vote of league coaches.
Kahuku led the way, as four Red Raiders earned either First or Second Team honors in OIA East. Kahuku finished 13-3 overall this fall, including a 10-1 mark in the East. The Red Raiders took fifth in both OIA and DI state tournaments. Kahuku’s only three losses came to OIA DI runner-up Kapolei and champion Moanalua (twice).
Senior libero Rachael Blake was chosen to the First Team from Kahuku, while teammates Jasmine
Niutupuivaha (middle blocker), Thea Leaitaua (outside hitter) and Brittany Waite (middle blocker) were Second Team selections.
Kahuku also had four players earn Honorable Mention honors, including Carey Williams, Phoebe Grace, ShaeRae Niu and Laken Teo.
Kalaheo’s Roberta Downey was chosen as the East’s Coach of the Year by her peers after leading the Mustangs to the OIA White Conference Championship. The Mustangs, who had been the White runner-up in 2013, went 10-6 overall this fall, including a 7-4 mark versus East competition. Kalaheo had defeated neighboring Kailua in the White Championship match and went on to a fourth-place finish at the New City Nissan DII State Tournament.
Setter Siani Yamaguchi was a First Team selection for Kalaheo, while Syenna Masaki made the Second Team as an outside hitter.
The Mustangs also had four players — Alex Jacobson, Bobbi Anduha, Riley Lynch, Violet Subee — named to the Honorable Mention Team.
Middle blocker/outside hitter Amber Tai was named to the East’s Second Team from Kailua. A sophomore, Tai helped lead the Surfriders to a berth in the OIA DII Title Game as well as a State Tournament berth.
Delcie Williams and RaeLynn Leong received Honorable Mention from Kailua. The Surfriders finished 9-9 overall.
Castle senior Shaney Tiumalu was chosen for the First Team as an outside hitter after leading the Knights to a 9-8 season. Teammate Trystin Ramos as chosen to the Second Team as an outside hitter.
The Knights also were well-represented on the Honorable Mention Team with Rachel Lafitaga, Teila Kapile, Kayla Akeona, Tileree Johnson and Kanoe Vinoya.
In the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II, Kassidy Naone made the Second Team from Le Jardin. The Bulldogs finished 4-7 this season. Le Jardin also placed Nina Krupa on the Honorable Mention Team.
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