When ‘Iolani finally found some sort of rhythm, the Raiders used it to finish off the match.
Saige Kaahaaina-Torres had 15 kills to help host and third-ranked ‘Iolani rally for a 25-27, 25-21, 15-3 win over fifth-ranked Hawaii Baptist in the Ann Kang Invitational Volleyball Tournament on Friday.
“We weren’t engaged from the beginning and it didn’t allow us to get into some sort of rhythm,” said ‘Iolani coach Kainoa Obrey. “HBA is a good team, coached well and they’re frustrating to play because they dig a ton of balls and they come back and score their points. It really makes you earn the points on your side and we just gave a lot of points away.”
The Raiders started slow and dropped the opening set before sprinting to the finish. Kaahaaina-Torres started the third set with three consecutive kills and Hawaii Baptist called a timeout down 4-0. Kaahaaina-Torres’ fifth kill of the set extended the lead to 10-1.
“Our assistant coaches and staff did a good job regrouping the girls and getting them to move forward,” Obrey said.
Elena Oglivie added 11 kills in the win. Ana Oglivie finished with 36 assists and Sasha Petticord had six blocks.
“The pace on their ball on their spikes and (Ana) served us pretty tough,” HBA coach Myles Shioji said of ‘Iolani’s play in Set 3.
HBA, last year’s Division II state champion, dropped its first five matches of pool play. Ten minutes after dropping a close match to Kahuku, HBA brought the same tenacity over to the ‘Iolani match.
The Eagles won their first set of the tournament in Set 1, holding off the Raiders, who turned a 23-18 deficit into a 25-24 lead after consecutive blocks from Petticord. Keri Lum’s kill tied the set at 25-25 and HBA took the set after two ‘Iolani errors.
“We always try to build up to the conclusion of the season” Shioji said. “That’s the end goal. Playing against good competition is testing us as a team and individuals, who we are, what we can produce.”
Both teams traded leads midway through Set 2. Kaahaaina-Torres’ kill broke an 18-all tie and ‘Iolani never trailed the remainder of the set. Halia Hogan’s kill put ‘Iolani ahead 23-20 and two errors by HBA ended the set. Kallie Langford led HBA with seven kills.
“They’re simplifying it, the pass, the set, just kind of one thing at a time,” Obrey said. “I think sometimes we jump ahead.”
Defending champion Santa Margarita Catholic (Calif.) remained undefeated in pool play, going 3-0 on Friday with wins over Le Jardin, Moanalua and Boswell (Texas). Santa Margarita is the only team in the tournament that has not lost a set.
Pool play wraps up today. Bracket play starts at noon and the championship is at 4 p.m.
Friday’s results
Mira Costa (Calif.) def. Punahou 23-25, 26-24, 15-7
Boswell (Texas) def. Newport Harbor (Calif.) 25-10, 25-19
Moanalua def. ‘Iolani I-AA 25-18, 25-23
Santa Margarita (Calif.) def. Le Jardin 25-17, 25-19
Mira Costa (Calif. def. ‘Iolani I-AA 27-25, 25-17
Punahou def. Newport Harbor 25-17, 25-16
Santa Margarita def. Newport Harbor 25-18, 25-15
Boswell def. Le Jardin 21-25, 25-22, 15-12
Punahou def. Le Jardin 25-14, 25-19
Newport Harbor def. ‘Iolani I-AA 25-17, 28-30, 15-8
Santa Margarita def. Boswell 25-21, 25-21
Mira Costa def. Moanalua 25-12, 25-21
Edison def. ‘Iolani 17-25, 25-21, 15-12
Sage Hill (Calif.) def. Los Alamitos (Calif.) 25-21, 21-25, 15-12
Kahuku def. Hawaii Baptist 25-12, 25-23
Southlake Carroll (Texas) def. Kingwood (Texas) 25-16, 25-12
‘Iolani def. Hawaii Baptist 25-27, 25-21, 15-3
Sage Hill def. Edison 24-26, 25-23, 15-8
Southlake Carroll def. Kahuku 25-22, 25-18
Los Alamitos def. Kingwood 25-11, 25-23
