Scrappy Lady Falcons Face Roosevelt In Division II Match
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usAs the Kalani girls volleyball team intersects its OIA White Conference season, head coach Janeen Waialae knows one aspect of the Falcons’ play is already firmly in place.
“I like our scrappiness - that’s been our thing (in recent years),” she said, “but now we have some hitters and some size. We’re much better at putting away balls.”
Whether or not the Falcons can put away opponents this fall remains to be seen, but their chances are much-improved by the program’s shift from Division I to Division II. Kalani finished just 1-11 last season in the OIA Red East, where their schedule included the likes of volleyball powers Kahuku, Moanalua and Farrington, among others. The good news is that OIA teams moving down have traditionally done well. The return of veterans Jamie Ishii, Jordan Lopez and Reina Fujiwara also bodes well. The three have helped set the tone in preseason, according to the coach.
Ishii has started three straight seasons and will hold down the libero spot.
“She brings leadership and a lot of quickness to our team,” Waialae said. “She’s one of those quiet-but-effective players.
“Jordan is the same way. She’s another one on the quiet side. She’s very coachable - she pushes herself. She keeps the others together, and she’s very smart as a hitter. She’s gotten a lot better as far as where to place her shots.”
One shift will see Fujiwara move from defensive specialist to setter this season in Kalani’s 6-2 alignment. “There’s a lot of learning, but she has the mental capabilities to hold the position,” Waialae said.
She also expects under-classmen to have a big impact early on, most notably sophomores Kaiana Iaea and Lexie Kajihara.
Iaea is an outside hitter who plays even taller than her 5-8 frame. “She’s very athletic and has a lot of potential,” Waialae said.
Kajihara will see time at the setter spot. “Her experience is her strength. She played JV, and she plays a lot of Club (volleyball). This is a quicker level of play, but she has all of the technique and skills and an unbelievable work ethic.”
Ashley Higa, Rosey Alama, Sylvia Koo, Megan Kawanu, Courtney Panoke and Kristen Wong round out the team.
After opening their White Conference slate with four matches (versus Kalaheo, Roosevelt,Waialua and Kaimuki) in seven days, the Falcons have an open date this week and return to action next Wednesday for a home match against Roosevelt, which also moved down to the White. The Rough Riders game concludes the series between the schools.
Waialae is hoping her team’s cohesiveness will continue to grow as the season unfolds. “So far, it’s been good. You have to have chemistry and be able to push through the hard times and stay together. When it’s good, it’s always good.
“These girls have a desire to be better every time out,” she added. “We’re looking for consistency in all aspects.”
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