Le Jardin Facing Volleyball Powers In Tough ILH Season

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There’s nothing like an elite schedule to help an up-and-coming program make a name for itself in volleyball circles.

In opening its season with back-to-back matches versus three-time defending state champion Kamehameha and perennial power Punahou, Jason Popejoy and his Le Jardin Academy team can claim one of the more demanding slates in the entire country.

Whether or not the Bulldogs can play at the level of their highly visible ILH peers, remains to be seen, but Popejoy likes his program’s long-range potential.

“We’re full-steam ahead right now in all divisions (varsity, junior varsity, intermediate),” said Popejoy. “It’s exciting.”

It would be easy for Popejoy to be consumed by the future - Le Jardin’s first-year head girls volleyball coach has a talented freshman class in the fold, and the school’s gym is nearing completion - but optimism for the current season is also evident. While coaching changes can make for “transition” years in most cases, Popejoy has found it a smooth ride since taking over the entire program, having been the school’s JV coach last year.

“The exciting part is having them grow into the system,” he said.“To me, that’s what’s important. Whatever bad habits they had, have been fixed. We’re young, and we have a lot of growing to do, but we’re eager.”

Although underclassmen dominate Popejoy’s roster, the team is not without veteran leadership. Senior Kathyrn Johnson (middle blocker) and juniors Sarah Recktenwald (outside hitter) and Libby Cleghorn (setter) are entering their third seasons with the varsity, and each will hold down a key position.

“Sarah brings experience and she plays very intelligently,” he said. “She knows how to pick her areas when she’s hitting the ball. Libby also brings experience - she’s been on the varsity since her freshman year - and Kathryn’s strength is her tenacity. She brings 110 percent and she doesn’t give up.”

If all goes according to plan, it is likely Popejoy will have several four-year varsity players in the fold down the road, with no less than three freshmen expected to crack the starting lineup this fall. Among the first-year players are middle blocker Waverly Kaukeano, a Lanakila Baptist transfer, and Kea Olaso (libero/setter/defensive specialist), who was a key member of the Jammers Club Team that won both a gold and silver medal at the Junior Olympics the past two summers.

“Both already have the skill to compete at the varsity level,” Popejoy said. “Waverly comes with a lot of club experience. She’s another go-getter with good instincts who plays intelligently and can pick her spots.

“What makes Kea a great player is that she absorbs everything that you tell her, and she knows what it takes. She’s an all-around player.”

Freshman Sammy Gabrelcik and junior Kelly Connors also are expected to be impact players, according to their coach. “They both bring a lot of club experience, and Kelly is one of our tallest players, at 6 feet.

As at Kamehameha, where Popejoy spent six seasons as an assistant coach prior to Le Jardin, the Bulldogs are hoping to build their varsity program, now entering its sixth season, from the bottom up.

“The successful programs focus on their foundation, which is the younger kids,“he said.“That’s what we’re trying to establish.”

Le Jardin was tentatively scheduled to play a preseason match Wednesday at Hawaiian Mission Academy before turning its attention to the Aug. 26 ILH opener at Kamehameha. The Warriors are currently ranked No. 3 in the nation by Volleyball Preps.com and feature Popejoy’s daughter, Chamille Popejoy. Le Jardin plays Aug. 28 at Punahou.