Kapolei Water Polo Advances To Winners’ Bracket This Week
As the Kapolei water polo team hits the straightaway of its season, head coach Dex Lee is sure of one thing: When it comes to leadership, his team is in good hands.
“We have a really good group this year,” said Lee, whose team took a 4-1 record into last Saturday’s game with Campbell. “Seven of our 14 players were also on the swim team, which is really good, and our two senior leaders are great. It helps tremendously to have leaders in the pool.”
Lee is referring to seniors Demiana Gerber and Summer Reyes, two of the OIA’s most capable at their positions. Gerber is a defender, while Reyes is the team’s goalkeeper. “Summer could easily be a coach,” Lee said. “She’s pretty quick and a fast swimmer. She’s also a vocal leader, which is what you want from that position.
“Demi is our best defender,” he added, “and she always takes on the toughest assignment in every game. She’s been stepping up. They both lead us in practice and in games.”
There are 16 water polo programs in the OIA, and 15 of them began the season with the same goal in mind: Catch Kahuku, which has won nine of the 10 league titles awarded since it became a sanctioned sport in 2004.
Kapolei is no different. It was the Red Raiders who handed Kapolei its only loss by a 9-3 count March 21. Kapolei handled its other four opponents – Aiea (14-0), Castle (18-0), Kalani (13-1), and Leilehua (13-6) – with ease. A rematch with Kahuku in the OIA Tournament is a strong possibility, and Lee is hoping for as much.
“The game was closer than the score indicates,” Lee said. “We look forward to playing them again. We played them even in the second half. Our ‘set’ defense was pretty good against them, but we made mistakes that led to goals. Defensively, we’re really good. We’re improving a lot, and we have girls who want to improve. We’ll be really good by the end of the year.”
Lee also noted the impact of sisters Brooke and Dorian Bosque, two of his top offensive threats.
“They play quick and swim quick, and they have good live arms. They are our best shooters along with Demi.”
Kapolei currently has four players among the top 15 scorers in the OIA, including Ashley Fuerst (10 points), Taylor Kennedy (9), Danielle Johnasen (9) and Dorian Bosque (8).
The Hurricanes’ game with Pearl City over the weekend concluded “pool play” in the OIA.
Beginning this week, Kapolei moves on to the winners’ bracket, where they will play four more games before the OIA conference tournament at the end of April. (The Hurricanes’ schedule for the winners’ round was to be determined after press time.)
