Swing and repeat.
That could be Punahou boys volleyball coach Rick Tune’s catchphrase for outside hitter Ryan Wilcox, who was the Buffanblu’s most dangerous offensive weapon in this year’s run to a sixth straight Division I state championship.
“Ryan has a real high level of advanced skills, and one of the things that separates pretty good from good and exceptional is the ability to do the same action over and over again over time,” Tune said. “Ryan is very consistent for us with that. He is blessed with a really quick arm and he mixes that with exceptional vision to hit the right shot every time.”
Tune used the term “is” instead of “was” because Wilcox will be a senior when the 2018 season rolls around, which means opponents will get no relief. And if they couldn’t stop him this year, then what will they do next spring? Punting isn’t allowed in volleyball.
Wilcox, who had 49 kills and 23 digs in three state-tourney matches, is the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s player of the year — a unanimous choice at the No. 1 spot in our Fab 15.
“He has an unbelievable arm swing, and great hand-eye and physical coordination,” Tune added. “He’s the kind of player who is always looking to add new things to his game, always looking to improve. Rarely takes days off.”
Four other Punahou players made the Fab 15, including two of the team’s three contributing setters — juniors Jameson McKibbin and Buddy Scott. Another junior, opposite Kana‘i Akana, and senior outside hitter Ethan Siegfried push the Buffanblu to the exact one-third mark of the 15 honorees.
Tune used the word “fiery” to describe Akana and McKibbin.
“Neither of them knows how to go half speed,” he said. “Siegfried, a very dangerous player, put together his best season, and Scott is a player with one of the highest ceilings. He’s a 6-foot-5, left-handed setter who can turn around and put down a kill on you.”
Kamehameha-Hawaii is well represented on the Fab 15, thanks to the Enriques family. Guy Enriques, who stepped down from his position after taking Punahou to four sets in the state final, is the coach of the year. His dynamic twin sons — Addison and Avery — were counted on in many roles for the Warriors over their four-year careers. They are two of the most well-rounded volleyball players in recent Hawaii volleyball history. They could pound down the ball, dig up tough-to-reach balls and make smooth passes with the best of them.
“They’re volleyball savants,” Punahou’s Tune said of the Enriques twins. “They’re wired for volleyball.”
‘Iolani and Mililani placed two players each on the Fab 15, which was voted by coaches from around the state.
Senior Hugh Hogland, who is a Fab 15 player in basketball as well and was the hoops player of the year as a junior, was a major reason why the Raiders made it into states after a bit of a dry spell. His brother, junior middle Cole Hogland, joins him among the 15.
“Hugh attracted a ton of attention from opposing defenses,” ‘Iolani coach Jordan Inafuku said. “He was still able to work around and over double and triple blocks. Cole was the most dominant and explosive middle blocker in the ILH, which is loaded with big and talented middles.”
The Trojans’ two Fab 15 selections — outside hitters Sila Fuiava, a senior, and Nathaniel Johnson, a junior — led Mililani’s charge to the Oahu Interscholastic Association championship before a loss to ‘Iolani in the state quarterfinals.
Waiakea senior outside hitter Kolby Aiona, who pounded down 62 kills in four state-tourney games, Kaiser junior outside hitter Jon Stanley, Moanalua senior setter Zackary Miyamoto and Hawaii Baptist’s Michael Johnson round out the All-State list.
In leading the Eagles to the D-II state championship, Johnson had 39 kills and 34 digs in three matches.
Star-Advertiser’s Fab 15
Rank Name School Pos. Ht. Yr.
1. Ryan Wilcox Punahou 6-3 OH Jr.
2. Avery Enriques KS-Hawaii 5-11 OH Sr.
3. Addison Enriques KS-Hawaii 5-11 OH Sr.
4. Hugh Hogland ‘Iolani 6-9 OH Sr.
5. Ethan Siegfried Punahou 6-3 OH Sr.
6. Kana‘i Akana Punahou 6-4 OPP Jr.
7. Jameson McKibbin Punahou 6-2 S Jr.
8. Sila Fuiava Mililani 6-1 OH Sr.
9. Cole Hogland ‘Iolani 6-4 M Jr.
10. Zackary Miyamoto Moanalua 5-10 S Sr.
11. Nathaniel Johnson Mililani 6-2 OH Jr.
12. Michael Johnson Hawaii Baptist 5-9 OH Jr.
13. Jon Stanley Kaiser 6-4 OH Jr.
14. Kolby Aiona Waiakea 6-3 OH Sr.
15. Buddy Scott Punahou 6-5 S Jr.
Player of the Year: Ryan Wilcox, Punahou
Coach of the Year: Guy Enriques, Kamehameha-Hawaii
Honorable mention
Dru Pang, Hawaii Baptist, 5-8, L, Jr.
Davin Rausch, Hawaii Baptist, 5-8, S, Jr.
Ryan Van Cantfort, ‘Iolani, 6-0, OH, Sr.
Matthew Saffery, Kamehameha, 6-1, S, So.
Jarvis Benito, Kamehameha-Hawaii, 6-3, M,Sr.
Sam Kahapea, Kamehameha-Hawaii, 6-4, M, Jr.
Carson Schmick, Kapaa, 6-2, OH, Sr.
Saxsem Shiira, Kapaa, 6-1, M, Sr.
Andrew Caraang, Maryknoll, 5-6, S, Sr.
Chance Guillermo, Mililani, 6-0, S, So.
Kanalu DeMello, Moanalua, 5-10, OH, Sr.
Ryan Hong, Punahou, 6-3, M, Jr.
Shea Suzumoto, Punahou, 5-7, L, So.
Micah Kalei, St. Francis, 5-10, OH, Sr.
Star-Advertiser Fab 15 by Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Scribd
