(Fri) October 29, 2010

HHSAA Division II GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Top-seeded University advances to title match with sweep of Leilehua

By Kyle Sakamoto

University High took its game to an extremely high level against Leilehua.

Michelle Fainberg and Kainoa Ocasek each had 10 kills and University High served Leilehua off the court in a 25-7, 25-15, 25-7 victory in a semifinal match at McKinley.

The Junior Rainbows had 14 aces and many other serves resulted in the Mules popping over free balls.

University High (16-3) had 33 kills and only eight hitting error in the match. Leilehua (13-5) had 13 kills and 17 hitting errors.

In the first set, Fainberg and Ocasek each had four kills for the Junior Rainbows. Leilehua had just two kills in the set with eight hitting errors.

The Mules showed some life in the second, taking a 10-7 lead. Tatiana Alailima had two kills and an ace during Leilehua’s nice start, but from there it was all University High. Mackenzie
Conching had three of the Junior Rainbows’ eight aces in the set. Mikayla Samiano added a pair.

In the third, Fainberg had five kills without an error, while Ocasek added four kills and three consecutive aces.

Division II Results »
Division II Bracket »
Match Statistics »

Photos by Jonathan Bello at www.jonbphotography.com for HHSAA

By Edward Jackson

University High was operating at full speed this Friday, October 29th as they overwhelmed Leilehua to advance into the championship match of the New City Nissan/HHSAA Division II Girls Volleyball Championships at McKinley Student Council Gym in Honolulu.

The Jr. ‘Bows won all three sets by the scores of 25-7, 25-15 and 27-7. University High (16-3) will battle Molokai (11-0) in the championship match. The Farmers won their semifinals matchup against Hawaii Baptist in four sets by the scores of 14-25, 25-18, 26-24 and 25-16.

University High coach Walter Quitan confirmed that his team was look forward to playing in the championship match all season long.

“Making it all of the way through states was kinda of the goal for us from the beginning of the season,” Quitan said. “Our chances got better when we were able to pick up a couple of great players who attended Word of Life last season. With the combination of players from both schools we knew at the start of the season we had some talent to work with.”

Quitan added, “Those transfers made us a lot stronger. Plus we play in a league that is very competitive so those matches helped us improved upon our skill level much more than our practices.”

Quitan believes University High is peaking at the right time.

“We struggled in some games along the way, but definitely we are playing our best volleyball right now,” Quitan revealed.

Setter Kaiulani Ka’alekahi commented that she is excited to have the opportunity to play in the championship match.

“I’m extremely happy,” Ka’alekahi said. “We played a great match tonight. I credit my teammates for executing and being in position for kills. That makes my job easy. Tomorrow we have to stay just as focus.”