St. Francis volleyball coach gives birth

St. Francis girls volleyball coach Sonja Samsonas has been missing from the sidelines lately.
Samsonas gave birth to a baby boy recently, athletic director Sol Batoon said.

Samsonas, who guided the Saints to the Division II state championship last year, will return next week, Batoon added.

Assistant coaches Elias David and Ali‘i Robins have stepped in during Samsonas’ time away.

Batoon also confirmed that outside hitter Kalei Mau is no longer with the team.

Multiple sources confirmed that Mau has transferred to Kaiser but that the 6-foot-1 senior did not do so in time to play this season.

Mau, who has already committed to play collegiately at Minnesota next season, could not be reached for comment.

Mau had a team-high 10 kills in the Saints’ state-championship-match win over Leilehua last year.

“Our team is still doing good and competing hard,” Batoon said of the Saints, who are 2-0 in ILH D-II play.

Lahainaluna gets its shot

When rivals Lahainaluna and Baldwin square off on the gridiron Friday, it might be the Lunas’ best chance to take down the MIL’s elite program.

Baldwin quarterback Keelan Ewaliko suffered broken ribs in a nonconference loss to Saint Louis more than a week ago. The speedster is expected to miss two more games.

Lahainaluna, the MIL defending D-II champion, has not beaten Baldwin since 2009.

Special teams: the good and bad

With five blocked kicks, it was a special-teams extravaganza and nightmare for both teams in Moanalua’s 33-12 football victory over Castle last Friday.

Na Menehune’s Zarin Augustiro blocked two punts, and teammate Ratu Mafaleo blocked an extra point.

Castle’s Adam Aquino had one of two punt blocks by the Knights.

The Knights were overmatched in the game, but they did win the turnover battle 4-3.