Suzumoto ‘Does It All’ With Spunky Falcon VB Team

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Count Kalani boys volleyball head coach KeAli’i Alexander among those in the profession who believe you have to play against the best to beat the best.

A former standout at Punahou himself, and later at Penn State and University of the Pacific, Alexander always has called on his volleyball contacts to ensure his players some stiff competition during practice.

“One of the biggest reasons for our success is not just the support we get from the parents or the school, but from the other volleyball players who come and donate their time to practice with us,” he said. “We have a real good connection with the community.”

Nothing rallies groups of people quite like a winner, of course. In only their third season with a boys volleyball program, the Falcons have made steady progress, finishing second in the OIA’s Division II East in their first year before winning the league outright last season. That earned Kalani elevation to Division I for this spring, and while they struggled at times during the recently completed regular season, finishing just 4-8, they regrouped to post one of the biggest wins in the program’s brief history last week when they upset West No. 3 seed Leilehua in the OIA Tournament. Kalani had entered the tournament having earned the last (No. 6) seed out of the East.

“We’re hoping at this point that we’re peaking. Being a No. 6 seed was kind of a blessing for us. It allowed us to come in as a bit of an underdog, and the kids are having fun with it.”

Kalani needed a top-five finish in the OIA Tournament over the weekend to ensure one of the league berths for next week’s state volleyball championships. The OIA’s sixth-place team can also punch its ticket by way of winning a play-in game against a school from the Big Island.

Even if the Falcons fall short of a state bid, there appears to be no turning back for the program. A record turnout of 19 players came out for tryouts at the beginning of the season, although “academic issues” undercut some of the program’s momentum, according to Alexander. With youth represented across the Falcons’ roster, Kalani could figure among the teams to beat in the OIA next season.

“This has been a real up-and-down season for us. We knew we had a nice core group of kids coming back who already knew our system, and we had a lot of young kids who had stayed with us although we don’t have a junior varsity team. When our grade challenges forced people into positions they weren’t used to, we struggled. We finally have everyone in the right position, and we seem to be clicking now.”

Although only a sophomore, setter Chase Suzumoto is the acknowledged team leader.

“He does it all - he’s just a well-seasoned player,” said Alexander.

“His greatest strength is his confidence level and his leadership. It’s obvious that he’s the captain of our team. If he needs to, he’ll take the game into his own hands.” Outside hitter Max Fujio, a three-year player, also has had a solid season, and Alexander also is high on sophomore setter Angelo Berardy and senior outside hitter and three-year letter-man Sage Capone.

“He’s our money man when it comes to passing - he’s a steady player,” Alexander said of Fujio.

“Sage does everything we ask of him - he sets a good example - and he plays a lot of positions. I see Angelo as a big key to the program in the next couple of years. I don’t think he’s tapped into his full potential yet. He has a knack for being around the ball, and he’s definitely an athlete.”

Pairings for next week’s state volleyball championships will be announced on Sunday afternoon.