Lady Falcons Have Talent All Over The Volleyball Court

Wednesday - September 02, 2009
By Jack Danilewicz
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Kalani High’s Alexis Maloney dives for the ball. Photo by Nathalie Walker, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

If all goes according to plan, the Kalani girls volleyball team will be one of generalists rather than specialists this fall.

“The biggest thing this year is that a lot of kids will play multiple positions,” said coach Janeen Waialae.“We’re small in stature, so we’ll have to be flexible. We have student athletes that are well-rounded, and we’ll be able to rotate people all over.”

The Falcons are on the rebound this season after missing both the OIA playoffs and the Division I State Volleyball Tournament in 2008 for the first time in several years. In addition to an interchangeable roster, Waialae is banking on her coaches-on-the-floor, seniors Chelsie Vea, Chelsea Suzumoto and Keaton Oshiro, to set the pace at practice.

“The seniors are really pushing for that (post-season),” Waialae said. “I told them it’s up to you how far you want to get and how hard you work. That’s where leadership comes in. Together, the three have been good leaders. It’s gotten to the point where I’m not having to say much to pick up the energy. I’ve been able to focus more on the strategies of the game.”


 

The trio also bring their share of skill to the fold. Although only 5-foot-4, Vea plays taller from her outside hitter position.“She’s an all-around athlete and well-rounded, volleyball-wise. She’s a great passer - one of our best - and as far as court sense, she’s our most experienced. She’s also very, very consistent.”

Suzumoto was the Falcons’ setter in 2008 but will play “all over” this fall, according to Waialae.“She’s very strong as a setter, but she’ll play everywhere we need her to fill in. Right now, we’ve had her playing opposite for defense.”

Oshiro will play setter and middle blocker, while Waialae also is counting on junior outside hitter/middle Jordan Lopez and freshman Pua Danielson to be impact players this season. “Jordan is a strong hitter who has made great improvement since last year, and Pua is young, but she’s already earned a starting spot.”

Mainland transfer Alexis Maloney, a 5-10 middle blocker, has also been a positive addition.“She’s our first line of defense. She keys the start of our defense.”

Junior Jamie Ishii and sophomores Reina Fujiwara and Rosey Alama round out the Kalani team.


Waialae has also been preaching team unity in the early weeks of this season after internal and external issues undermined the program’s momentum a year ago.

“Chemistry is our biggest key,” she said. “That was the biggest thing last year - we didn’t have good chemistry on and off of the court.We’ve really tried to focus on playing as a team. We have a lot of kids, returnees, who have turned it around. We have heart this year. If we can keep that and not let ourselves be discouraged, we should be fine.”

Kalani’s OIA East Red schedule is perhaps as demanding as anyone’s in the league as it opened with losses to Kalaheo and defending OIA DI champ Kahuku on the road. Kalani was to host the Red Raiders on Tuesday in the second meeting between the schools before having a week off. The team returns to action Sept. 8 against Farrington at home.

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