Red Raiders Ready For ‘Comeback’ In OIA Water Polo

Wednesday - March 24, 2010
By Jack Danilewicz
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Kahuku’s Kallie Krebs prepares for a free throw attempt March 17 in a game against Kalaheo at BYUH. Photo by Byron Lee, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

In a sense, the Kahuku girls 2010 water polo season began during the winter swimming season. That was clearly the plan of Makana Whitford, who coaches both sports for the school.

“They hate swimming (season),” she laughed,“but they do it because they want to get faster for water polo.Actually, they had fun with it this year.”

Another factor played a role in the water polo team’s early workouts, too. For the first time in seven seasons, someone other than Kahuku won the OIA title last spring. That honor went to longtime rival Roosevelt,benefiting no doubt from catching Kahuku in the “regroup” mode after it had lost several standouts to graduation from its 2008 team (which won a title).

“They know they should have done better,” Whitford said of last year’s team. “I always remind them how they felt when they lost (the title match), so they won’t want to have that feeling again. It’s a great motivator.


“Looking at our team from last year to this year,our maturity has really increased. They know they can take a huge step from last year, when they weren’t as confident. Now they’re more confident, and their skills have improved. They’re not scared to shoot or to make plays this time.”

Kahuku has a junior-heavy team now, but it’s perhaps more battle-tested than other teams close to its age, as evidenced by its dominance in a 21-3 season-opening win over Moanalua. They followed that up by defeating Kalaheo last week, and were to meet Castle on the weekend.

Juniors Penn Anderson, Keola Kahaulilio and sisters Brooke and Tahnei Roy have carried the load to date.

Depth also is a strength for the team. “I have 21 players who all want to play all the time,” said Whitford, noting that Anderson sets the tone as goalkeeper. “She’s just awesome. Her skill level has improved, and she’s a leader. She can see everyone from where she is, and that helps. She knows everyone’s strengths and weaknesses, and she’s always helping her teammates. “

On the offensive end, Kahaulilio is “our No. 1 scorer and top shooter. She’s also a team leader. She’s always looking to help her teammates, and her own confidence has increased.”

Brooke Roy is a hole defender, while Tahnei Roy is transitioning from the driver position she played last year to the hole-set spot this spring.

“Brooke is a good all-around player. Whenever the ball is in her hands, she can make things happen.

“Tahnei has improved a lot in her swimming,“she added. “I’m excited for her this season to see what she can do. It’s her first time playing hole set, but she’s a natural at it. She’s strong for her size.”


Skill level wasn’t the only area where Whitford sees progress. Fall league competition multiplied cohesiveness. “Our team unity has increased - we’re a lot stronger now.”

An early test should come Wednesday at Central Oahu Regional Park, when Kahuku meets Kaiser, which had a 2-0 start as of last weekend and boasts the OIA’s leading scorer in Anela Alumbaugh. She had scored 15 goals at press time. Teammates Rachel Owen (8), Julia Motohashi (5) and Hope Ah Sing (5) also rank among the league’s top 10.

“They have fast swimmers, so it should be a good game. Hopefully, we’ll be in good enough shape to keep up with them.”

 

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