Maryknoll’s loss is Farrington’s gain, not just once, but twice.
Savannah Kahakai and Trinity Alualu, transfers from Maryknoll, had nine kills each as Farrington upset No. 5-ranked Kahuku 26-24, 25-21 Thursday night at Farrington’s Richard Kitamura Memorial Fieldhouse.
Farrington improved to 5-2 in Oahu Interscholastic Association East play, handing Kahuku and first-year head coach Camilla Ah-Hoy their first loss after six wins. It was especially sweet for longtime Governors like coach Reagan Agena.
"I’ve been here 10 years (as an assistant and head coach) and this is a first for me," Agena said of the win over the Red Raiders. "This was huge. Kahuku’s a great team. We had a pretty rough practice last night. There were a lot of emotions building up and the team’s been working really, really hard. There’s a lot of trust and a lot of playing for each other."
Kahakai’s powerful spikes charged up a crowd of about 500, which sounded like double or triple its size for most of the match.
"They make that noise because they know it makes a difference," said Kahakai, who also had an ace and a big block down the stretch in the second set.
Farrington’s two losses, to Kalani and Roosevelt, have been on the road. The Govs are still unbeaten at home. Kahakai and the Lady Govs fed off the crowd, even after falling behind 22-14 in the opening set.
"She kept the energy up," Agena said. "She was a little more outspoken tonight. She continued to encourage the girls."
Kahakai got the rally started with a kill, and middle Jeneva Toilolo followed with a roof. After an ace by Penina Faumui and another kill by Kahakai, the Govs were rolling. Aislyn Laloulu’s ace tied it at 23, and with the game tied at 24-all, Alualu came through with a back-row bomb for the lead.
Alualu, who transferred from Maryknoll two years ago, then pounded a tip by Kahuku’s Adora Anae to close out the opening set.
Farrington was in control for much of the second set, assisted by some rotation violations by the visitors. The Govs led 19-13 before the Red Raiders made one last push, sparked by reserve Sweet Vaimoui. After a kill and back-to-back blocks by middle Pati Anae, Kahuku was within one, at 22-21.
After a timeout, the Govs got kills from Kahakai and Alualu, and Laloulu ended it with her second ace of the match.
"It’s a good crowd, but it didn’t make a difference," said Pati Anae, who finished with seven kills and three blocks. "We weren’t in system tonight. They served well and we couldn’t get a pass up. They’re a good team. We weren’t playing at our level."
Adora Anae led Kahuku with eight kills.