Coach Switch Doesn’t Slow Team
By Jack Danilewicz
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Those in OIA volleyball circles who thought Kahuku might be caught in “a transition year” are having to think twice in light of the team’s 7-0 start. Longtime Kahuku coach Mona Ah Hoy and husband Irwin stepped aside during the off-season, but the girls program has continued in stride with first-year coaches Uila Fotu Vendiola and Teisa Fotu Auva’a at the helm.
“It’s been the way the players have responded to the changes,” said Fotu Vendiola, who played on Kahuku’s first OIA championship team under Masa Fonoimoana in 1992 before moving on to Chaminade University.“Change is difficult and, in the beginning, many of the players were not sure what to expect. But in the short time we’ve been with them, they’ve seen what we’re about, we’ve been able to develop a rapport with them, they’ve responded well, and for the most part the transition has been smooth. The talent has always been there, but with a new coaching staff, it’s how the players have responded that’s been key.”
Interest in the program remains high. Under Ah Hoy the Red Raiders won four OIA titles, most recently in 2005, and captured the 2002 state championship, the first-ever in the proud program’s history. That kind of resume has helped for big turnouts during try-outs. Indeed, depth has also played no small role for Kahuku during its current season with 17 players on its roster this fall.
“We have some very talented players,“said Fotu Vendiola, whose team returns to action Oct. 2 at home against Kalani. “Every one of them was with the varsity or the junior varsity squad (last year). Mona has built a solid program. What we’ve tried to emphasize is the mental part of the game.”
On that note, the Red Raiders have more than held their own. In their much-anticipated contests with Roosevelt and Moanalua earlier in the month, Kahuku lost game one before rallying to win games two and three to capture both matches. Roosevelt is the OIA’s defending champion, while Moanalua has been traditionally strong under coach Tommy Lake.
“That was a good indication (of mental toughness),” Fotu Vendiola said. “Hopefully, that can sustain us throughout the regular season and into the playoffs.”
Kahuku has also benefited from strong senior leadership this season with veterans Leilani Tafuna, Nina Blake, Alayna Galeai and Shanley Kaulula’au all enjoying stellar seasons so far.
Should they win the East Red, Tafuna is a good bet to win Player of the Year honors at season’s end.
“She’s our biggest offensive weapon,” Fotu Vendiola said of Tafuna, a 5-10 outside hitter, who is also her niece.“Where we’ve really seen growth is in her ability to bounce back mentally. Her toughness in critical situations has helped us. In our two biggest matches - she stepped up and did good things for us.”
Blake is the team’s libero, while Galeai is a middle blocker, and Kaulula’au is a setter and right-side hitter.
“Nina is our best ball-handler so we look to her as a leader. Her strength is her defensive play. Alayna has great court sense - she’s a very smart player who finds the holes in the defense. We like Shanley’s versatility - she brings a lot to the table.”
Rounding out the Kahuku team are Sharol Mae Kahawaii, Vaimalama Tito, Taeja Afalava, Taofi Sanft, Tajana Santiago, Tialei Wesley, Lavinia Latu, Alyssa Wily, Elizabeth Blake, Jovan Falemalu, Nile Te’o, Candace Tufaga and Amanda Tonga.
Fotu Vendiola sees “our defense and our passing” as keys to going deep into the post-season.“If we have good ball control, everything will fall into place because we have good offensive players. Against Roosevelt, we were able to control the ball, and we created a lot of things, offensively.”
The Red Raiders defeated Kalani 25-23, 25-15 in the OIA’s first round Sept. 6 in Kahala, but Fotu Vendiola is expecting her team to get the Falcons’ best effort in next Tuesday’s rematch, which will take place at 6 p.m. in Kahuku.
“They’re a great defensive team,” she said of the Falcons.“We have to be smart on offense and play consistent. That’s one of the toughest challenges - to play consistent day in and day out.”
Following next Tuesday’s game with Kalani, the Red Raiders have regular-season matches remaining at home with both Roosevelt Oct. 4 and Kailua Oct. 11 as well as a road match at Moanalua Oct. 9.
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