‘Iolani stays alive in tight ILH race
Gabriel Vega and the state's No. 3 boys volleyball team came together when it mattered most.
The season was on the line for ‘Iolani — especially once the Raiders dropped the first game.
But Gabriel Vega and the state’s No. 3 boys volleyball team came together when it mattered most and pulled out a 19-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-21 win over No. 2 Kamehameha yesterday in Interscholastic League of Honolulu action at ‘Iolani.
‘Iolani (14-3 ILH) desperately needed a win to avoid falling farther behind Kamehameha (15-2) in the league’s second round. After the Raiders rallied for the win, the teams are tied at 2-1 with two games to play.
"(Our guys) just had this look in their eye … maybe it was because our backs were against the wall," ‘Iolani coach Mike Among said. "We knew if we lost, that was it for us. They played with a sense of urgency and a focus that we really haven’t seen all season long. I said, it’s a great time to discover it in ourselves."
A Kamehameha victory would have all but sewn up the ILH’s second and final state berth for the Warriors, but the stubborn Raiders found new life. Should they finish above the Warriors in the second round, the two teams will play off next week, since Kamehameha had the better finish in first-round play.
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State champions waiting to be crowned this week
Seven state championships. Five days. Three islands.
State high school championships in seven sports are crammed into this week’s calendar.
The state girls golf championship tournament tees off first on Tuesday at the Waikoloa Village Golf Course.
Then the state baseball and softball tournaments start up Wednesday, culminating at Les Murakami Stadium and Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium on Saturday.
The state girls water polo championships also continue Wednesday through Saturday on the Big Island at the Kamehameha-Hawaii pool.
Maui plays host to two state tournaments, with the boys and girls state tennis championships Thursday through Saturday at the Royal Lahaina and Lahaina Civic Center and the state track championships running Friday and Saturday at War Memorial Stadium.
And the state judo championships take place at the Stan Sheriff Center on Saturday.
DIVISION I BASEBALL
At Les Murakami Stadium
Wednesday
Hilo vs. Leilehua, 11:30 a.m.
Pearl City vs. Kamehameha-Maui, 2 p.m.
Kailua vs. Roosevelt, 4:30 p.m.
Mid-Pacific vs. Mililani, 7 p.m.
Thursday
Pearl City or Kamehameha-Maui vs. Waiakea, 11:30 a.m.
Hilo or Leilehua at Moanalua, 2 p.m.
Mid-Pacific or Mililani vs. Baldwin, 4:30 p.m.
Kailua or Roosevelt vs. Saint Louis, 7 p.m.
Friday
Semifinals, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7 p.m.
DIVISION II BASEBALL
At Hans L’Orange Field
Thursday
Kauai vs. Kalaheo, 11 a.m.
Radford vs. Molokai, 1:30 p.m.
Pac-Five vs. Hawaii Prep, 4 p.m.
Konawaena vs. Waipahu, 7 p.m.
Friday
Semifinals, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 4 p.m. at Les Murakami Stadium
DIVISION I SOFTBALL
at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
Tuesday
Kealakehe vs. Kapolei, 1 p.m.
Kailua vs. Leilehua, 3 p.m.
Baldwin vs. Mililani, 5 p.m.
Punahou vs. Castle, 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Kailua or Leilehua vs. Waiakea, 1 p.m.
Punahou or Castle vs. Lahainaluna, 3 p.m.
Baldwin or Mililani vs. Mid-Pacific, 5 p.m.
Kealakehe or Kapolei vs. Campbell, 7 p.m.
Thursday
Semifinals, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Friday
Championship, 7 p.m.
