Kalaheo’s Caswell, Blanco, Liu Win OIA Volleyball Honors
By Jack Danilewicz
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Kalaheo senior Tyler Caswell
makes a hit while Clifton Pires
looks on. Photo by Nathalie
Walker .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On a Kalaheo boys volleyball team heavy in stellar performers, Tyler Caswell still managed to be the Mustangs’ catalyst.
The 6-foot-6 senior was nothing less than dominant from his middle blocker position, helping Kalaheo to an 11-1 record and a share of the Division I Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division co-championship.
The Mustangs also made another appearance in the New City Nissan Division I State Volleyball Championships this fall, losing to eventual state champion Punahou before finishing in fourth place. For his efforts, Caswell was recently named the league’s Player of the Year by the East coaches.
“He’s always been dominant,” Kalaheo head coach Gavin Cook said of Caswell in an interview with MidWeek recently. “He’s been as steady as we could ask. He’s been pretty unstoppable all year long.”
Caswell’s selection as the league’s top player was no surprise to those in Island volleyball circles. More of a surprise was that he was the only Mustang player selected to the First Team, although Kalaheo did land both sophomore Christian Kepa and senior Chase Moses on the East’s Second Team.
Four Mustangs - Steven Kaolulo, Clifton Pires, Ken Uchida
and Pono Wong - also were named to the Honorable Mention Team.
Senior Jesse Keala Aulelava was Castle High’s lone First Team selection, while teammate Kelly Berinobis made the Second Team for the Knights.
Castle also placed Kody Carter, Austin Figueroa, Michael Low, Waysyn Plunkett and Aris Wong on the Honorable Mention Team.
Frank Buttel and Lucas Luehrs made Honorable Mention from Kahuku.
In Division II girls, Kalaheo also boasted the East’s Player of the Year in Honolulu Waldorf School transfer Sabrina Blanco. A 5-foot-7 senior outside hitter, Blanco’s solid play helped lead the Mustangs to the OIA Division II Championship. She was joined on the East’s First Team by senior Brianna Elliott. Sophomore Kiana Wasson was named to the Second Team from Kalaheo. The Mustangs also placed Carli Huihui, Case Jenkins and Daneen Williams on the Honorable Mention Team.
Sherie Recca and Keesha Thomas made the Second Team from Kailua. The Surfriders also had six players - Kahealani Chang, Logan Kealoha, Destiny May Maikai, Nikki Olaso, Mikala Scott and Lisa Tuaolo - selected to the Honorable Mention Team.
Kalaheo’s Hoku Liu was named the East’s Coach of the Year.
In Division I girls volleyball, Kahuku’s Leilani Tafuna was the lone Eastern Division First Team selection from Windward schools. Castle’s Kelsey Bajet was named to the East’s Second Team.
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