Lady Bulldogs Aim For Top 3 Spot In Talented East

Wednesday - October 01, 2008
By Jack Danilewicz
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The Oahu Interscholastic Association girls volleyball playoffs may still be a few weeks off, but Kaimuki High School is already in post-season mode.

“Right now, this pretty much is our playoffs,” said second-year coach Donovan Martinez. “We win, and we move on. Every game will have a playoff-type atmosphere because of the talent in the East.”

The top three teams from both the East and the West will make the OIA Division II playoffs, which begin later in the month. The Bulldogs’ 6-3 record heading into last weekend would seem to have positioned Kaimuki nicely to earn one of the East’s three slots, but Martinez’s team finds itself on the bubble with every game a must-win.

The East teams’ dominance over the West division teams has ironically made it harder for the Bulldogs within their own division. Indeed, only league-leader Kapolei High School has a winning record in its division, while four of five East teams have winning records at present.


That the Bulldogs are very much in the hunt as mid-October approaches is a bit of a breakthrough for the program. A year ago, with a roster dominated by underclassmen and a new coaching staff in the fold, Kaimuki struggled through a brutal Division I schedule. The Bulldogs were shifted to Division II in the off-season.

“It was tough,” Martinez admitted of 2007. “They had to learn a new system - offensively and defensively - and try to put it out there against Kahuku, Roosevelt and Moanalua, some of the top teams in the state. It’s harder to believe in what you’re being taught when you don’t see the results.

“This year, seeing the results, our confidence is up. The girls are coming into their own now.”

Wednesday’s home date with Castle, the first of two meetings between the schools in a six-day period, figures big in the Bulldogs’ bid for the post-season. The Knights entered the weekend with a 6-2 record.

“They have a great volleyball player in Osana Aukuso - she’s a smart player,” Martinez said. “We’ll have to slow her down, and they’re very well coached (by Castle head coach Brannon Bajet).”

For their part, the Bulldogs have relied on a mix of underclassmen and veterans en route to their 6-3 start. Senior outside hitter Louise Fiamate leads the way from outside hitter position.

“She’s an awesome kid who has been brought up very well by her parents,” Martinez said. “She’s a steady player, and she’s fiery, which we really like. She’s a good leader on and off of the court.”

Juniors Pua Akaka and Vaioleti Mikaele also have been solid for Kaimuki at libero and middle blocker, respectively, according to Martinez.


“Pua is one of the better liberos in our league - she just has a knack for being in the right place. Vaioleti is an imposing middle blocker. She’s a great athlete, who is 5-11, and she has great strength. She has the potential to be one of the best middle blockers in the state.”

Freshman Malu Tautofi also had an immediate impact on the Bulldogs’ lineup, having earned a spot as right side (or opposite) hitter.

“She’s very coachable,” Martinez said. “She’s been nothing but a positive for the team.”

The Bulldogs have relied a lot on their defense to date with a lineup that features size and athleticism. That doesn’t figure to change this week against Castle, which will have a decided disadvantage size-wise against the Bulldogs.

“Defensively, our size has been an advantage and our strength,” Martinez said. “Our front line is imposing, which makes it easier for our players to read (the play) on defense.”

Next Tuesday’s second meeting with Castle, which will be played on the Knights’ home floor, will close out the regular season for Kaimuki.

The OIA White Division playoffs begin Oct. 21 with first-round matchups.

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