Lady Hurricanes Play Well Together On And Off The Field

Wednesday - April 08, 2009
By Jack Danilewicz
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Best friends and Kapolei softball teammates Kai Clark and Tehani Ka’aihue. Photo by Byron Lee, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Kapolei seniors Tehani Ka’aihue and Kai Clark didn’t wait until spring to prove they could be good leaders. Coach Tony Saffery saw enough of their dedication in the off-season to know he could count on both serving as coaches on the field by the time the OIA Red West softball season began.

“(Tehani) and Kai were in the gym a lot and on the track on their own,“Saffery said. “They’re willing to do the extra work.”

As the only two senior starters on a team that features six sophomores and three freshmen, their impact can’t be underestimated for the Hurricanes, who took a 3-2 record into the weekend.

Best friends off of the field, according to Clark, the pair have spent much of their upbringing playing against one another or as teammates. Ka’aihue is headed to New Mexico State on a softball scholarship next year, while Clark has signed on to play at East Carolina.


 

Left to concentrate solely on their senior seasons at Kapolei, the pair have warmed up to their new responsibilities as team leaders.

“I’m trying my best to lead, and the younger girls are following what they can,” said Clark.

Added Ka’aihue:“Having to lead, it’s been very different from when I was a freshman, but it’s easier for me now since I did it in volleyball. I’m proud of how the younger girls have adjusted to how we play. They’re following in our footsteps and giving their all.”

When Kapolei defeated Campbell in the second game of a doubleheader recently, it was seen as a signature win, in large part because of the strong play from the under-classmen.

“You can’t do it without everyone else,” Clark said. “The Campbell game was a big confidence-booster.”

The Hurricanes are in the midst of a key stretch on their schedule. On the heels of the series with Campbell, Kapolei played a pair against Waianae last week before turning attention to this Saturday’s doubleheader at home against two-time defending OIA champion Mililani.


While Ka’aihue is a four-year player for Kapolei, Clark spent her first two years at Campbell before transferring.“I was excited to have someone I knew for a long time come here,“Ka’aihue said.“We were still good friends when she was there.”

Added Clark:“She just helped me pick up my prom dress - almost every weekend I’m with her. We’ve always worked well together. If something is in the hole and I can’t get it, I know she will. I trust her and the rest of my teammates to make the play.”

On the same heartbeat when it comes to softball, the two are “opposites,” according to Ka’aihue:“She’s the loud one, and I’m kind of a ‘chill’ girl.”

With the pair anchoring the infield, it’s not surprising that Kapolei’s strength has been its defense.With that in mind, Clark sees the team’s fate tied to their offense. She recently broke out of a slump herself by putting in extra batting practice with her father, Joe, who is also a Kapolei assistant coach.

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