Marauders Off To A Good Start Despite Changing Lineup
By Jack Danilewicz
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Having played out of its comfort zone for much of the regular season, the Waipahu High girls volleyball team was more than pleased with its 6-2 start.
Above all, coach Mary Ancheta learned the team can meet adversity head-on, a comforting thought with the OIA’s post-season within sight.With key components Cardin Sugue and Olafuo Pelupelu missing from their lineup for the first four games of the season for academic reasons, the Marauders were a very different team with a very different game plan. Both will be in the lineup at 6 p.m.Wednesday when Waipahu hosts Nanakuli.
“It’s about getting the right combination, having a plan B, and making sure everyone is prepared to fill in where needed,” said Ancheta of the her team’s flexibility in their day-to-day preparations. “You have to have the team goal in mind and play where you maybe aren’t as comfortable playing. We’re still struggling along, but we hope to peak in time for the playoffs.
“It doesn’t have to be your best six on the court. It’s a combination of personalities and talent that makes it work.”
With Sugue out of the lineup, Ancheta was forced to move veteran Kawehi Doo from her more natural position of outside hitter to setter to fill the void. While the Marauders were able to win three of their four games in that span, their offensive opportunities were somewhat limited. As the midway
point of the regular season arrived late last week, the return of both players bodes well for Waipahu’s immediate future. Pelupelu is “first off of the bench” and “she should help our depth,“Ancheta said.With
Sugue back in the lineup, Doo will return to outside hitter, where she complements Marauder middle blockers Chastine Pinheiro and Kelcey Viliamu.
“We want to work out the kinks before the playoffs,“she added, noting that a key game with league leader McKinley on Oct. 10 will come quickly on the heels of Wednesday’s game with Nanakuli. “It’s important that we build some momentum. We don’t want too many tallies in the loss column.”
As the Marauders move into the second half of the OIA’s regular season, familiarity between the schools will come into play as teams will be meeting for a second time. Waipahu handled Nanakuli 25-22, 25-15 in the first meeting between the schools Sept. 5, but Ancheta is expecting the Golden Hawks’ best effort in Wednesday’s rematch.
“(Nanakuli coach) Pete Velasco is an icon in local volleyball from way back,“she said.“They’re always going to be solid in the basics and skill-wise. We’re hoping the second time around, knowing what they have will give us an edge.”
Even with an uncertain lineup in the early going,offense has remained Waipahu’s forte, according to Ancheta, whose team was to play Castle over the weekend.
“Our hitting has improved, and our passing has improved,“she said. “Our serving has been our strength. We still have a long ways to go with our defense. It’s an area of need.We have to develop.”
In addition to the aforementioned Oct. 10 game with McKinley, the Marauders also have regular-season encounters remaining at Campbell Oct. 3, and at home versus Anuenue Oct. 6. The OIA’s Division II post-season begins Oct. 17 with first round games.
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