‘Iolani’s Oglivie is state volleyball player of the year

Elena Oglivie was the Ace of Spades in ‘Iolani’s starting lineup, and she was voted unanimously as the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s state player of the year.

The 5-foot-10 junior outside hitter got the Raiders over the hump in a three-set Division I state final sweep over Kamehameha, a team ‘Iolani beat just once in six matches earlier in the season.

Raiders coach Kainoa Obrey freely conceded that ‘Iolani went to the proverbial well — Oglivie’s dangerous right arm — more often in the finale than at any other point in the season. As a result, she came through with a state-final-record 28 kills.

All 20 coaches and media personnel who voted for the 2018 Star-Advertiser All-State Girls Volleyball Team gave Oglivie the thumb’s up as player of the year to go with the same award she earned as a freshman in 2016.

“Elena was outstanding for us this year, as she has always been,” Obrey said. “She would just do her thing and at times exercise her ability to take over a match.

“Beyond her attacking, our team fed off her nonstop efforts to better the ball with her serve/receive, passing and digging. Every team knew she was going to get a lot of sets and she stepped up to that challenge and really pushed herself to be even better.”

Three ‘Iolani seniors — setter Kristen McDaniel, libero Grace Wee and middle Sasha Petticord — also made the Fab 15.

Three Kamehameha girls were chosen as All-State performers — senior middle Braelyn Akana and her sister, junior hitter Keonilei Akana, and senior setter Lexis Akeo.

“Braelyn was a very physical and effective leader, Lexis was the key to our offensive schemes as a four-year starter, and Keonilei was a versatile and terminal attacker from the left and right side and back row and the anchor of our defense,” Warriors coach Chris Blake said.

Despite coaching his team to the D-I state crown, Obrey lost in close coach of the year balloting — by one vote — to Sacred Hearts’ Raymond Patcho, who led the Lancers to the Division II state title.

Patcho’s squad rose up from a fourth-place league finish to upend two-time defending state champ Le Jardin with a disciplined performance in a four-set final.

That victory was made possible by the setting of the only Lancers player to make the All-State team — senior Makenzie Faamausili-Cacoulidis.

Three more boomers on the outside are included in the top 15 — Damien senior Shelby Capllonch, Mililani junior Falanika Danielson, and Kamehameha-Hawaii junior Nani Spaar.

Mid-Pacific senior middle Kaehu Keala, King Kekaulike senior setter Kalena Vaivai, Mililani junior setter Aysia Miller and Le Jardin setter Nive Tuileta, the only sophomore chosen, round out the All-State team.

Of the 15 selections, 11 are from the ILH, two from the OIA and one each from the BIIF and MIL. There are nine seniors, five juniors and one 10th-grader.

By position, there are six setters, five outside hitters, three middles and one libero. Oglivie, Braelyn Akana and Akeo have made it three straight years, and Capllonch is a repeat selection.

STAR-ADVERTISER’S FAB 15

Player of the year: Elena Oglivie, ‘Iolani

Coach of the year: Raymond Patcho, Sacred Hearts

HONORABLE MENTION

>> Castle: Tiari Hookano.

>> Farrington: Saryiah Kahakai, Khylene Pasion-Nau, Jerica Vele.

>> Hilo: Taina Leao.

>> ‘Iolani: Naya Dong, Izzy Sakoda, Mokihana Tufono.

>> Kahuku: Mary Fonoimoana, Keau Kamakeeaina, Savannah Taosoga.

>> Kamehameha: Malie McClure, Kalina Obrey, Paris Oliveira.

>> Kamehameha-Hawaii: Tiani Bello.

>> Kapolei: Tiffany Mook, Alizaysha Sopi, Olivia Transfiguracion.

>> King Kekaulike: Nina Macphetridge, Temahh Shaw.

>> Le Jardin: Ellie Diersbock.

>> Mililani: Gabby Naniseni.

>> Mid-Pacific: Shyla Sato.

>> Moanalua: Cobi Shay Ikenaga, Tayli Ikenaga, Jeslyn Spencer.

>> Punahou: Teana Adams-Kaonohi,Lauren Asato, Kamaile Manol, Sina Uluave.

>> Roosevelt: Lauren Pau-De Santos.

>> Sacred Hearts: Shaydee Afoa, Ryanne Burnett,Kayla Murray.

>> Waianae: Heipua Tautuaa, Chevelle Wagner-Chun.