Kila A Triple Threat In Campbell Sports
By Jack Danilewicz
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Oli Kila’s volleyball teammates are never hard-pressed to come up with examples of her leadership qualities.
“She’s always been a leader since her sophomore year,” Campbell senior middle blocker Adriama Lui said. “Now, she’s grown even more into the role. I look up to her. We all take advice from her because we know Oli is a very humble person.
“She brings a spirit,” Lui added.“Her voice is always the one we hear when we’re down.”
The message Kila is delivering these weeks as the Sabers’ coach on the floor is the one she has always driven home with her play - give your best effort every night out.
“The games where we try our hardest are our proudest moments,” she said.“I like encouraging people to do what they can do, building each other up. I was more of an observer before, but I learned from my own leaders - all of the upperclassmen who I have played with.”
Kila is on the last leg of what already has been a stellar prep sports career that has seen her excel in both basketball and soccer at Campbell in addition to volleyball. As a sophomore, she was part of the Saber soccer team that won an OIA title. Last February, she helped lead Campbell to a girls Division II state basketball championship. Whether or not she can add another strong post-season run to her resume in volleyball remains to be seen in the coming weeks, but Thursday’s 6 p.m. matchup at home versus Leilehua figures big in the schedule as they position themselves for a favorable playoff seeding. Campbell took a 2-5 record into last weekend with wins over Leilehua and Radford and losses to Mililani, Radford, Pearl City,Waianae and Aiea.
“We have a good all-around team - they’re very easy people to trust,” Kila said.“We have the skills, and we’re trying to put it together. We just have to go all out and live it.”
Kila has been living the athletic life since she was old enough to compete. As a three-sport athlete, free time is scarce during the school year, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It hasn’t affected me,” said Kila, who is an honors student at Campbell taking AP courses.“I started playing soccer at 10, so I already knew the busy schedule - waking up early in the morning, going to practice ... I’m a fast learner. I picked up fast and kept going from there.”
Kila lists basketball as her first love, but she’d like to play volleyball in college if given the opportunity.
“I’d like to play for a Mainland school and come back and beat UH,” mused Kila, who has earned all-conference honors in all three of her sports.
Kila is close to her family, especially older sisters Ipo and Kehau. Both were athletes at Campbell during their own playing days.“I’m a combination of both (sisters) - we all look the same, too. My family has always come out to support me. My dad was pretty athletic - he encouraged me to do anything - and my mom pushed me to do everything.”
When time allows, Kila can also be found preparing food in the kitchen. She estimates that she cooks three times a week. “I can make anything. Although I know how to cook, I like Spam and rice. I’ll eat anything, like junk foods. I burn it off playing in a game, anyway.”
Although she is far from deciding on a career, she could see herself in law.“I’d like to be a lawyer,” she said. “I love to argue and settle things.”
For the present, keeping the peace among her volleyball teammates is a priority as designated team leader.
“She brings a lot of leadership,” said her coach, Kaui Alohikea-Betham. “When we’re having a bad day, she puts on a smile and motivates everyone.”
Kila and Campbell still have regular-season games remaining with Radford (Sept. 30, away), Aiea (Oct. 2, home) and Pearl City (Oct. 7, away). The OIA playoffs begin Oct. 16.
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