Leilehua High Senior Is OIA West’s Best In Boys Volleyball
Leilehua senior Robin Ramelb has been named OIA West Boys Volleyball Player of the Year. The senior was among the key components of a team that went 13-3 overall en route to a runner-up finish (to Moanalua) in the OIA Red Division.
Leilehua won its first 12 matches and earned the top seed in the West for the OIA post-season tournament. A loss to Waianae in the first round ultimately ended its bid for a state title. Ramelb was joined on the West’s First Team by junior Max Aiono, while teammates David Tibayan, Dakota Soliai, Devin Ke-a, Pomaikai Cozo, Ernest Sonido and Toma Savea earned Honorable Mentions. The Mules’ Ernest Balignasay was voted West Co-Coach of the Year, along with Tracie Huddy Balino of Campbell.
* Senior Joby Celoza made the First Team from Mililani, which finished 9-3 overall. Losses to Kalaheo and Kahuku at the OIA Red tournament ended the Trojans’ season. Earning Honorable Mention were teammates Bailey Ilagan, Chason Uruu, Micah Talamoa, Elijah Butler, Kingston Nishimura and Zavier Lieb.
* In Division II, freshman Daytin Vidad-Albeso was picked for the Second Team from Waialua. The Bulldogs also saw Xier Kekauoha, Lancen Kuni, Kupono Kamai, Jeren Dingal and Marcus Pao earn Honorable Mention.
Mililani’s Nishiura leads OIA golf All-Stars
Mililani freshman Mari Nishiura was named OIA Player of the Year in girls golf. She edged Castle’s Iris Kawada for the OIA individual crown in a playoff April 23, and went on to finish sixth overall at the recent state golf championships. Trojan teammates Stephanie Koza and Kira
Nakamoto also made the First Team, while Eden Sun was a Second Team pick.
Mililani’s Abraham Kealoha was voted by his peers as West Coach of the Year. OIA All-Star teams are chosen in a vote of league coaches at season’s end. Mililani also captured the OIA team title, defeating Kalani from the East.
Leilehua placed Courtney Tabion and Mikaela Armstrong on the Second Team.
In the OIA boys golf division, Kaeo Elflein made the First Team from Mililani while teammate Alex Rambaud was named to the Second Team. Trojan Mark DeCastro was named West Coach of the Year. The team finished third in the OIA boys division.
Nicholas Furusho was named to the First Team from Leilehua.
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