The Hana High School girls volleyball team began a crucial two-day stretch by winning a showdown on Friday between the only remaining unbeaten teams in Division II of the Maui Interscholastic League, defeating Molokai 25-11, 25-17, 18-25, 25-21 at the Dragons' gym.
"This one, whoa, it was pretty tough," Hana coach Louis Hoopai said after his team improved to 6-0. "Molokai, they turned it on there."
Hana will play at home today against Seabury Hall, which has lost just once in five league matches this year - a five-setter against the Dragons last month in Olinda.
Article Photos
Hana High School’s Pakalana Helekahi attempts a spike during her team’s four-set win over Molokai on Friday.
RICH?YOUNG photo
"We kind of stressed in practice, we have a chance to finally go to states," Hoopai said - the Dragons' last trip to the tournament was in 2005.
Pakalana Helekahi had 16 kills for Hana on Friday, as well as three aces and four digs. Shalen-Brae Hoopai had 11 kills, four aces and six digs.
"Shalen, she's up front with Pala, and if they start shutting one down, we have the other," Hoopai said.
Fact Box
MIL STANDINGS
| DIVISION I | ||||
| W | L | Pct | GB | |
| KS Maui | 8 | 0 | 1.000 | — |
| King Kekaulike | 5 | 3 | .625 | 3 |
| Maui High | 4 | 4 | .500 | 4 |
| Baldwin | 3 | 5 | .375 | 5 |
| Lahainaluna | 0 | 8 | .000 | 8 |
| Division II | ||||
| W | L | Pct | GB | |
| Hana | 6 | 0 | 1.000 | — |
| Molokai | 4 | 1 | .800 | 1 1/2 |
| Seabury Hall | 4 | 1 | .800 | 1 1/2 |
| St. Anthony | 3 | 3 | .500 | 3 |
| Lanai | 1 | 5 | .167 | 5 |
| Maui Prep | 0 | 8 | .000 | 7 |
Friday's Results
Hana def. Molokai 25-11, 25-17, 18-25, 25-21
Kamehameha Maui def. Lahainaluna 25-12, 25-13, 25-14
Today's Matches
St. Anthony vs. Molokai at Wailuku Gym, noon
Seabury Hall at Hana, 6 p.m.
The Dragons' Jaynalee Hoopai and Precious Helekahi each had 17 assists. Rachel Lee Scott had five kills, two blocks and a dig, and Brandi Lecker-Tolentino had six digs, three aces and two kills.
Taylor Keliihoomalu had 12 kills and seven digs for the Farmers (4-1), and Shaniah Mollena-Lopez had 11 digs and seven assists.
"I think we brought our game and did the best we could do," said Molokai coach Mahea Rawlins. "The most important thing is we fought from beginning to end."
