Elia Mose was in eighth grade when Farrington captured its last boys volleyball title before Thursday.
So it was quite a treat for Mose when his Governors got past Kaimuki 25-21, 25-23, 25-23 for the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II championship at the Radford gym Thursday night.
A junior who had 12 kills to lead the offense, Mose was asked if he thinks the squad can do it again in his senior season.
“Most definitely,” he said.
The states are next for the Govs, whose 6-8 record is a bit deceiving because they played against all of the OIA East’s Division I teams, too.
“The states, that’s a whole different ballgame,” Mose added. “I can’t imagine what it’s like to be there.”
Mose had the final kill of the third set to close out the match, finishing off Farrington’s comeback from a 17-12 deficit.
“We got a little ahead of ourselves,” Govs coach Reagan Agena said about the third-set lull. “We called timeout and reminded everybody about their assignments, and we started to believe. This win is emotionally huge for us. A big confidence builder.”
Christian Latu pounded 10 kills for Farrington, and teammate Joziah Anakalea — a quarterback for the football team — had 14 digs.
Brandon Addison led the Bulldogs (6-8) with 10 kills, and setter Spencer Chipenii chipped in with 17 digs.
“Passing was our trouble,” Kaimuki coach Kenji Shibata said. “That’s why we couldn’t generate offense. We’re young and inexperienced, and I think they felt too much pressure. We’re going to states. I’m not at all disappointed. To get to this point is an accomplishment.”
