Kalaheo VB Team’s ‘Spurts Of Greatness’
Kalaheo’s collective athleticism on the volleyball court has paid dividends this spring, but the team’s workmanlike approach has figured even bigger, to hear head coach Ed Chun tell it.
“The coaching staff has definitely pushed them to work as hard as they can, and they’ve accepted that challenge,” Chun said. “They’ve been working as hard as they can for it.”
The Mustangs are preparing for next week’s OIA Red Conference tournament, having wrapped up their season last weekend. They were unbeaten through the first eight games and were in position to secure an all-important No. 1 seed from the East for the tourney, pending the outcome of their final three matches between last Thursday and Saturday. (Pairings for the tournament were to be finalized late Saturday.)
The top six teams from that tournament earn the league’s berths in next month’s Division I state tournament. Should Kalaheo maintain its level of play, it could be a major factor in both tournaments.
“It’s going to come down to the consistency of our work ethic,” said Chun, whose players have taken all but one match with two games.
“If we practice well and with emotion, we can go far. We’ve had spurts of greatness; we just need to stay consistent.”
The team also has taken advantage of its size, along with athletic skill. “You definitely notice us when we walk into the gym – we can go with a player who’s 6-5 on the right, 6-7 in the middle and 6-2 on the left side at times,” Chun said.
Outside hitters Reeve Troberg and Jordan Rein-dollar fall into the tall-and-athletic category.
“Reeve is definitely coming into his own. Our offense is balanced, so he’s had a lot of opportunities and he’s stepped up and is growing into a multi-dimensional player.
“Jordan is very talented as an attacker,” Chun added. “He can jump out of the gym and take over a game when he’s in a rhythm.”
Setter Silila Tucker is a leader on the floor. “He’s real steady and consistent.
He has good knowledge of the game, and he can make adjustments.”
Also, Nainoa Frank is back this spring at opposite hitter after an ACL injury.
“He’s a beast who adds a lot of firepower,” he said of Frank, who was a key player in February’s state title run in basketball. “He has the potential to do great things.”
Depth also has played a large role with Luke Owens, Sam Orcutt and Anthony Rowan sharing two middle-blocker spots.
“We have some great athletes coming off of the bench, too, with Micah Leong and Josh Ko.”
The team one of the youngest in the OIA with four juniors, two sophomores and only one senior currently in their starting lineup.
