Moanalua steps up to D-I, improves record to 6-0
Moanalua's Richard Harpole blocked a spike attempt by Kaimuki's Wiseman Demei in last night's match.
After two years in Division II, the time has come for Moanalua’s boys volleyball team to shine.
Richard Harpole is making sure of it. The 6-foot-2 senior slammed nine kills and led a tenacious wall up front as Moanalua swept Kalaheo 25-16, 25-11 last night at Na Menehune’s gym.
Coupled with an earlier 25-9, 25-12 win over Kaimuki, Moanalua improved to 6-0 in Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East play.
"Division II was very slow," said Harpole, who remembered last year’s OIA D-II title — and state semifinal loss. "We got beat on speed against Seabury Hall."
Harpole said Moanalua’s run in D-I of the OIA this year is a credit to the coaching staff, including former Rainbow Wahine player Chastity Nobriga.
"She’s helped us with everything. Coach Chas is amazing," Harpole said.
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In another match at Moanalua, Kalaheo swept Kaimuki 25-19, 25-20.
"Moanalua is well-balanced," Kalaheo coach Ed Chun said. "It’s good that we saw this level of play early in the year."
Brandon Guerrero (eight assists) and Zarin Augustiro (six assists) shared distribution duties for Moanalua. Tahi Caldwell added five kills (.556) and Carl Ko had a match-high three blocks.
Moanalua’s precision was a big advantage. Na Menehune hit .463, committing only three hitting errors.
"They’ve beaten up on us many years," said assistant coach Scott Acma, who filled in for head coach Doug Hee (business trip).
Kalaheo, possibly the tallest team in the OIA, showed glimpses of outstanding play. However, inexperience played a factor as the Mustangs fell to 1-3. Three starters — Reeve Troberg, Silila Tucker and Sheldon Dolan — are sophomores.
"They know what their expectations are," Chun said. "Those are young mistakes. We’ll focus on the good things we did and try to capitalize at practice on our unforced errors."
Kalaheo hit .133, including six hitting errors. Kai Singlehurst led Kalaheo with four kills, all in the first set.
The Mustangs showed promise in the opening set, using a right-side kill and a block by Singlehurst to take an 8-6 lead. With five kills in his first six attempts, Harpole helped Moanalua regain the lead.
Up 18-16, Ko roofed Singlehurst, Landenn Tagalicod-Molina spiked a kill from the right side and a setting error by Kalaheo gave Moanalua a five-point lead.
The momentum stayed with Moanalua in the second set. Setter-turned-libero Kolby Kanetake delivered two aces to help Moanalua take a 9-3 lead. Kalaheo was within five before Na Menehune went on an 8-0 run for a commanding 19-6 lead.
Unlike Kalaheo, which has only one club player (freshman Luke Owens), Moanalua is loaded with year-round slammers from clubs such as Kui Kahi and Kaulukoa.
How good can Moanalua be?
"We got one set against Maryknoll and we kept up with ‘Iolani," said Harpole, who plays for Kui Kahi in the offseason. "We managed to hold our own. We’ve got good setters and two good new players in Tahi (Caldwell) and Drake (Fukushima). It’s going to be a helluva ride."
OIA Red East Softball
Roosevelt 3, Kalani 0
Leani Berinobis pitched a one-hitter, allowing a fourth-inning single as the the Rough Riders shut out the Falcons.
Hayley Luke doubled and tripled for the Rough Riders.
At Stevenson Middle School
| Kalani (1-3) | 000 | 000 | 0 | — | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Roosevelt (4-0) | 001 | 101 | x | — | 3 | 7 | 0 |
Rayme Awaya and Kristi Belshe. Leani Berinobis and Krystle Chung. W–Berinobis. L–Awaya.
Leading hitters—Roos: Kamalei Pitoy 3b, Hayley Luke 2-3, 2b, 3b, RBI; Brianne Leong 2-3, 2b, RBI.
Kailua 5, Kaiser 1
Sharla Kumai-Farrell went 2-for-3, driving in a run as the Surfriders defeated the Cougars.
At Kaiser field
| Kailua (3-1) | 030 | 001 | 1 | — | 5 | 10 | 0 |
| Kaiser (0-4) | 100 | 000 | 0 | — | 1 | 3 | 5 |
Shealee Koki and Sharla Kumai-Farrell. Shauna Kuroiwa and Sadie Karrath-Abordo. W–Koki. L–Kuroiwa.
Leading hitters—Kail: Kumai-Farrell 2-3, RBI; Leilani Lastimosa 2-3; Brianna Kaselbeer 3b, RBI; Amanda Kaleo 3b, RBI.
Kaimuki 10, Moanalua 8
Ellen Awaya went the distance for the win and stroked a two-run double to spark an eight-run rally in the second inning as the Bulldogs held off Na Menehune.
At Kaimuki field
| Moanalua (1-3) | 103 | 000 | 4 | — | 8 | 9 | 2 |
| Kaimuki (1-1) | 180 | 010 | x | — | 10 | 7 | 0 |
Ariel Ajimura, Vanessa Villa (2) and Kylee Oshiro. Ellen Awaya and Channel Kamanao. W–Awaya. L–Ajimura.
Leading hitters—Moan: Ciana Russ, 3-4, 2 doubles; Chrissi Omalza, 2-3, run. Kaim: Allison Pologa, 2-4, 2 runs; Awaya 1-3, double, 2 RBIs; Kamanao, 2-4, double.
OIA Red West Softball
Waianae 12, Mililani 10
The Seariders combined to score eight runs in the top of the fifth and sixth innings to to rally from a 10-4 deficit to defeat the Trojans.
Piilani Keopuhiwa batted 2-for-4 with a double, homer and two runs batted in for Waianae.
At Mililani field
| Waianae (3-1) | 310 | 053 | 0 | — | 12 | 13 | 2 |
| Mililani (2-2) | 631 | 000 | 0 | — | 10 | 12 | 4 |
Piilani Keopuhiwa and Kristi Keomalu. Alysia Maddison, Joen Baker (5) and Amelia Ariola. W–Keopuhiwa. L–Maddison.
Leading hitters—Wain: Tiani Hensley 2-5, 2 runs; Hope Tootoo 2-3; Keopuhiwa 2-4, 2b, HR, run, 2 RBIs; Jazmyn Savini 1-4, 2b; Leanna Meyer 2-4, 2b, 2 runs; Nue Sivia 2-5, 2b, RBI; Kaley Kamaka 1-3, 2b, 3 runs. Mil: Toni Baysa 2-3, 2 runs; Kacie Oshiro 2-4; Baker 2-3, 2b, RBI; Maddison 2-3, HR, 2 runs; Chesarey Silva 2b; Tiari-Jay Hernandez 2b.
Pearl City 8, Leilehua 6
The Chargers scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat the Mules.
At Pearl City field
| Leilehua (2-2) | 000 | 330 | 0 | — | 6 | 10 | 0 |
| Pearl City (1-1) | 100 | 133 | 0 | — | 8 | 11 | 0 |
OIA White Softball
Kalaheo 11, Radford 1
Sarah Fitzherbert tossed a three-hitter to lead the Mustangs past the Rams.
At Radford
| Kalaheo (4-1) | 046 | 01 | — | 11 | 8 | 4 |
| Radford (3-2) | 001 | 00 | — | 1 | 3 | 3 |
Sarah Fitzherbert and Teone Mahoe. Amanda Nichols, Wynona Sugiyama (2) and Elizabeth Tuason, Raia Salanoa (3). W–Fitzherbert. L–Nichols.
Leading hitters—Kalh: Shanez Barbeito 2-3, double, triple, RBI, runs.
Kahuku 13, Waialua 10
Napua Yamamoto hit home runs in the top of the fourth and fifth innings, driving in five runs, to lift the Red Raiders over the Bulldogs.
At Waialua field
| Kahuku (3-0) | 003 | 542 | 0 | — | 13 | 14 | 4 |
| Waialua (3-1) | 105 | 031 | 0 | — | 10 | 12 | 8 |
Kellie Ching, Pitsi Tualau (3) and Kasey Cappian. Sabrina Tolentino, Karina Bayudan (6) and Alyssiah Hernandez. W–Tualau. L–Tolentino.
Leading hitters—Kah: Yamamoto 2-5, 2 HRs, 2 runs, 5 RBIs; Tualau 3-5, 2b, 2 runs; Kalyn Latu 3-3, 3 runs; H. Uli 2-3, 2b, 2 RBIs. Wail: Althia Dicion 3-4, 2b, 2 runs, 3 RBIs; Hernandez 2-4, 2 RBIs; Bayudan 2-3, HR; Charee Wong 2-4, RBI.
Waipahu 13, Farrington 0, 5 inn.
Tali Viliamu dominated the mound, striking out eight batters in the Marauders win over the Governors.
At Waipahu field
| Farrington (0-4) | 000 | 00 | — | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Waipahu (3-0) | 260 | 5x | — | 13 | 6 | 0 |
Kyranica Afia and Litea Halaifouna. Tali Viliamu and Angie Sakamoto. W–Sakamoto. L–Afia.
Leading hitters—Waip: Viliamu 2b, 2 RBIs; Nala Viliamu 2b, RBI; Tami Viliamu 2b, 2 RBIs; Bree Dikito 2b, RBI.
