It was a head-spinning struggle for the dynasty that is Punahou boys volleyball.
After a clunky opening set, the visiting Buffanblu rallied for an 18-25, 25-11, 25-18 win over Maryknoll on Tuesday night at Clarence T.C. Ching Gymnasium.
It was a slightly spooky start for Punahou, but longtime coach Rick Tune kept perspective. Even through the early struggle, he never lost his focus, and his team reflected that calm intensity.
"Freaking out is not going to help the situation," he said.
The squad has just two seniors, but is loaded with young talent. It’s not easy for fans to forget the sage court play of former standout Larry Tuileta, now at USC.
"They’re not following anyone else. We’re just focused in the gym on what we have to do to get better," Tune said. "These guys are all great in their own right. They’re going to write their own history this year."
A polite audience of about 150 watched the three-time defending state champions endure a stellar Spartans defense. More than that, though, Punahou wiped the slate clean after committing eight hitting errors, four service errors and four more errors on net and rotation violations.
Junior outside hitter Rohan Watamull was the window into Punahou’s night. After committing three hitting errors in five swings, he emerged in the second game with six authoritative kills in eight attempts. He finished the match with a team-high 10 kills.
"We were a little nervous," Watamull said. "We’ve just got to shake all the rust off. Maryknoll’s defense was pretty good. The block is good, but the back row more."
It was a night dictated in part by the overlap of basketball and volleyball seasons. Punahou sat two hoopsters, 6-foot-4 J.B. Kam (foot) and 6-6 Akahi Troske (hip), while another b-baller, Micah Ma‘a, saw limited action.
Wil Stanley had seven kills and four assists as Punahou’s depth and immense skill level rose to the surface. Four players set for Punahou, and that doesn’t include two clutch dimes by libero Kelsey Yogi, a junior. Freshman Kana‘i Akana added four of his five kills in the third set and Hunter Johnson had three kills and two blocks in the middle.
Ma‘a, who played part of the first set and sat the entire second set, finished with six kills. He also struggled early with three hitting errors in the opening game, but had four kills in seven swings during the third.
Kanalu Demelo had three kills and three blocks for Maryknoll. Freshman Jaylen Cain also had three kills, and Andrew Caraang had eight assists.
"I played a little last year at practice," Cain said. "This was a new experience. I need more practice."
Spartans coach Sean Carney, the former ‘Iolani and UH standout, was completely stoked about his team’s effort.
"We’ve just got to get better each day. Jaylen’s getting used to it, and he’s so natural. Andrew is very creative as a setter," Carney said.
Maryknoll had a 12-3 lead in the opening set and Punahou got no closer than six.
