Na Ali’i Gears Up For OIA Games

Wednesday - October 10, 2007
By Jack Danilewicz
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS | Share Del.icio.us

Aiea senior Hollace-Lyn Somera
Aiea senior Hollace-Lyn Somera plays in an Oct. 2 tournament on Schofield Barracks. Photo by Byron Lee, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

For all the motivational words Aiea girls bowling coach Isaac Avilla may use on his players, he knows that peak performance ultimately comes from within.

“The final stage is up to the girls,” said Avilla, who led Aiea to its second state title in three years last November.“It is an individual sport, so while it is my job to get them to be a team, we always keep their individual goals in mind. If each kid fights to be No. 1 (individually), that will obviously help our team’s score.”

The month of November has been good to Na Ali’i both individually and collectively in recent years. In addition to the 2004 and 2006 state titles, Aiea also captured Oahu Interscholastic Association championships in ‘04, ‘05 and ‘06. This fall, Avilla’s team has been rebuilding, having lost standouts Lianne Deeter and Ashley Primacio, among others, from last year’s state championship team. Na Ali’i recently finished its regular season third in the West behind neighborhood rivals Mililani and Pearl City.


For the present,Oct.25 holds center stage for Na Ali’i. The OIA will hold its individual and team championships that day at Leeward Bowl, with schools needing to qualify no less than five individuals to be able to compete for a team title at the Billy Tees 2007 State Bowling Championships next month in Hilo.

“This year, we have to go in through the back door - we’re a silent threat,” explained Avilla, whose team took a 17-8 mark into the weekend. “With only two returnees, we were inexperienced at the beginning of the season, and we had some struggles with inconsistency - too many open frames. We shot ourselves in the foot in some games, but we’re right on it now.”

Senior Holly Somera leads the way for Na Ali’i.A member of both of Aiea’s state title teams, she carries a 180 average.“Her experience and her consistency to bowl good every time out is her strength,“Avilla said.“She’s our veteran, our anchor and the last bowler.”

Sophomore Darci Oyama is also back in the fold, after competing for Na Ali’i during its championship run as a freshman.“She’s young, but she has a carefree attitude and spirit that always keeps things on the positive side,” Avilla said.

Na Ali’i also has benefited from the addition of senior Michelle Pearson. Although it’s her first season with Aiea, she’s a seasoned performer, having competed with the Junior Bowlers, according to her coach.“She’s our first bowler - she sets the tone for us,” Avilla said of Pearson, who averages between 165 and 170. “She bowls the fastest. When she’s on, she throws strikes.”


Freshman Ariel Pang also has had a solid regular season and carries an average of 155 into the post-season. “She’s the quiet one on the team, but she gets the job done,” he said.“She’s one of our most consistent bowlers.”

While Na Ali’i has saved some its best games for its most important outings in the post-season in recent years,Avilla downplayed any advantage the past may have on the present.

“We try not to stress last year. We’re trying to focus in on this year. The strength of this team is that we’re unpredictable, but we’re capable of an upset.”

E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS

Most Recent Comment(s):

Posting a comment on MidWeek.com requires a free registration.

Username

Password

Auto Login

Forgot Password

Sign Up for MidWeek newsletter Times Supermarket
Foodland

 

 



Hawaii Luxury
Magazine


Tiare Asia and Alex Bing
were spotted at the Sugar Ray's Bar Lounge