Elisa Favela went 3-0 last week with complete games in wins over Waipahu, Pearl City and Kapolei to help the Sabers extend their winning streak to five games. Favela allowed just three runs on 11 hits in 21 innings pitched last week. Sylvia Lee | SL

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Kruz put down five kills and added six blocks to help put Na Menehune into the OIA Red Tournament final Thursday at McKinley's Student Council Gymnasium. Peter Caldwell | SL

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Male Athlete of the Week: Karson Cruz, Moanalua volleyball
Opponents beware: Karson Cruz is just getting heated up.

The junior middle blocker missed the majority of the regular season in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East Conference with shoulder tendinitis, but showed glimpses of his old self with a three-set win over Leilehua Thursday.

Kruz put down five kills, had six blocks and more importantly, shut down the Mules' middle attack in the win, which put Na Menehune into the OIA Red Tournament final Thursday at McKinley's Student Council Gymnasium.

"Leilehua's middle is a big, powerful weapon and it showed in their other matches, but Karson stepped in there and took the middle away, which forced them to go outside," Moanalua coach Alan Cabanting said. "Their big weapon was shut down, so we were able to run whatever we wanted."

Both teams were undefeated entering the showdown, but Cabanting's squad prevailed easily 25-18, 25-12 and 25-17.

"Karson is such a physical presence for us," Cabanting said. "When an individual is able to play football and basketball, that athlete-mentality is just there and the desire to compete is just there and that's one dimension that he brings to the game. Regardless of what's going on or what's happening, he will continue to compete and make some athletic plays and when he does that, we become much more of a potent offense and a much better defense on the block."

Cabanting said Cruz, who returned to the lineup just a week before the league playoffs began, is still working off the rust.

"I think the football and basketball seasons took a toll on him, so the rest was good for him," Cabanting said. "When he got back, he didn't have the game reps, the hitting reps and so it took him aw hill to get back into the groove, but once he finally did, he starting hitting well. He knows he still has a lot of work to do."

Kruz did not initially start as a sophomore last year — his first season on the team — but eventually claimed a starting job by midseason.

"As soon as he found the game, he had a passion for it and a thirst for knowledge to get better and that's been a big part of his success," Cabanting said. "Last year he was so new to the game, but so excited. He's was also a cheerleader on the squad — everything that everybody did, he was excited for them — but this year the focus is on getting better and becoming more of a force on the net. His serving and his passing have gotten a lot better. He wants to be on the court all six rotations."

Cabanting said Kruz probably won't return to a 100 percent health this season, but can still be a formidable presence in the middle.

"Just like all the other guys at this point in the season, they're all doing the best that they can with the injuries that they have," Cabanting said. He's very hard on himself, so he'll get frustrated at times, not at others, but at himself for not making those players, or being in the wrong spot."

While rehabbing his shoulder, Kruz found other ways to contribute to his team.

"We had two new middles this year, so when he couldn't play, he transitioned to teaching the new guys who are learning about the game this year, much like he did last year," Cabanting said. "He's really helped them out, because the kids can probably only listen so much to the coaches, but when it comes from a peer — someone who speaks the same language as them — it's different and it helps those guys get better."

Still, the urge to get back in the lineup was always there, Cabanting said.

"That hunger to be on the court and playing, you could see it in his eyes," Cabanting said. "He wants to make an impact with the guys and I'm glad that he's getting that chance again now."

Kruz and his teammates have their sights set on a state title, which would be the first in school history and break a string of 34 consecutive championships won by a school from the Interscholastic League of Honolulu. The last public school team to win a Division I crown was Roosevelt's three-peat from 1977 to '79.

"I think at beginning of the season or even mid-season, it was more about each person's skills of their highlights, but it's starting to turn where they're starting to play for each other and they're starting to play as a team," Cabanting said. "We still have things to work on, but I think our biggest strength is the depth we have at each position."

"I think for us, this is one of the times that we're very confident that if any given night, one of our hitters don't perform, whoever comes in can still play at the highest level and contribute to the team. It wasn't like that in previous years, where if someone in our core group was off, we probably were in trouble."

Moanalua, which has run its record to 14-0, can claim its fourth consecutive OIA Red title with a win over Leilehua Thursday at 6:30 p.m. If the Mules win, the teams will play again Saturday in a winner-take-all final.

Na Menehune have already secured a spot in the New City Nissan/Boys Volleyball State Championships, which will be held over two weekend this year, culminating at Blaisdell Arena on May 10.

Female Athlete of the Week: Elisa Favela, Campbell softball
As a freshman on the Campbell softball team last year, Elisa Favela watched and learned mostly from the dugout. This season she's enjoyed success in the spotlight as a Sabers' ace pitcher, much to the delight of her coach.

Favela, who was the understudy to then-senior Summer Palipti a season ago, has accumulated a record of 9-3 to go with a 1.62 earned run average in 39 innings pitched this year.

"She's been my workhorse for the whole season and until she graduates, she'll be the No. 1 pitcher," Campbell coach Shag Hermosura said of Favela.

Favela went 3-0 last week with complete games in wins over Waipahu, Pearl City and Kapolei to help the Sabers extend their winning streak to five games. Favela allowed just three runs on 11 hits in 21 innings pitched last week.

"I think she rose to the occasion knowing that we had to run the table at the end of the season to try and get into the number two spot — although we ended up with the third seed," said Hermosura, whose team finished the regular season tied with Mililani and Waianae at 9-3. After the tiebreakers were determined, the Trojans took the top seed, the Seariders claimed the second seed and the Sabers were third.

"She concentrated on the mound and she's peaking the right way and been humble about it, but she's a hard worker on the mound and I think she's brought her game up lately," Hermosura said.

The Sabers began the week with Favela's three-hitter in a 7-0 win over Waipahu Tuesday. She also batted 2 for 4 with a double and three runs batted in. Two days later, Favela gave up four hits and held off a late rally in a 4-3 win over Pearl City. She threw another four-hitter Saturday in the regular-season finale, a 12-0 win over Kapolei. None of the hits Favela surrendered against the Hurricanes were for extra bases. She struck out five batters and walked none.

"Elisa has a lot of movement on her ball, she mixes speeds real well and she's a bull-headed person on the mound," Hermosura said. "If she feels that she didn't hit her spot, she'll gather herself and makes good adjustments."

Hermosura said he always felt Favela had the makeup to be a top pitcher, but just needed some grooming.

"When she first came, I saw something in her that I thought to myself, 'She's going to be one of the athletes that will be good for our program,' so I pushed her to work harder in the classroom and on the field," Hermosura said. "She knew her role and accepted her role. I think I only threw her one game in the preseason and one game in regular season, because we had Summer."

Favela pitched sparingly last year and started just one regular-season game. It turned out she learned quite a bit watching Palipti, the seasoned veteran.

"She told me that she learned about determination — how Summer didn't show it in body language, but how much of a gamer she was in practice and how much she pushes people in practice and in games — yet she would never panic; she was always in control of herself," Hermosura said. "Elisa has picked it up. Going through the season, you can see a little Summer in her. Her concentration has improved and she wants the ball every game. She's a complete-turnaround from when I first had her in her freshman year to this year."

The Sabers, who have won the last three OIA Red titles, are one of the hottest teams statewide. Since dropping two of their first three games, they have won eight of their next nine. Hermosura said both players and coaches re-evaluated things after the shaky start.

"We were 1-2 at the beginning of the season, but I knew the girls were better than that. I think they got too complacent, too comfortable because we had a good preseason," Hermosura said. "Those two losses rang a bell and everyone improved their work on the field and in the classroom and the coaches adjusted what we needed to work on. Both sides adjusted to what we needed to do to get the program back on track."

Since then, Campbell has gone 8-1 and has outscored opponents 54 runs scored to 24 runs allowed.

"We worked on mechanics, primary and secondary plays, coming out more focused, having fun and also making sure that we played together as one and not as individuals, because at one point they were like that," Hermosura said. "We eliminated errors here, our focus is better, our workouts are better, our camaraderie is better and they're working hard."

The Sabers open the 12-team tournament Wednesday by hosting East sixth-seed Kahuku (4-8) in a first-round game at 3:30 p.m. The winner advances to Thursday's quarterfinal round against East second-seed Kaiser (11-1). The winner of that game earns a spot in next month's state tournament.

"There's a lot of good programs out there and they're going to be tough in the playoffs," Hermosura said. "I think we're a program that we will compete hard and leave everything on the field."

BASEBALL
Michael Austin, Kaiser — Allowed one run on three hits in five innings pitched in a 10-7 win over Kalaheo Wednesday

Joey Cantillo, Kailua — Threw four shutout innings in relief in a 4-3 win over Roosevelt Wednesday

Adam Connell, Mililani — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, five RBIs, a walk and a stolen base in a 10-1 win over Aiea Saturday

James DeJesus, Kamehameha — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, two doubles, five RBIs and three runs scored in a 10-3 win over Pac-Five Tuesday

Jacob Gribbin, Saint Louis — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run and a walk in a 4-3 win over Mid-Pacific Tuesday

Ian Higa, Kalani — Batted 3 for 4 with two runs scored and two stolen bases in a 10-1 win over Castle Saturday

Ian Kahaloa, Campbell — Tossed five innings of one-hit ball in a 1-0 win over Aiea Wednesday

Aizon Kahana, Kapolei — Threw a complete game in a 3-2 win over Pearl City Saturday

Kekoa Kaluhiokalani Jr., Waianae — Batted 4 for 5 with four RBIs, five runs scored, a walk and a stolen base in a 26-0 win over Kahuku Wednesday

Davin Kapuras, Pearl City — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored in a 6-5 loss to Leilehua Wednesday

Ryder Kuhns, Saint Louis — Drove in the game-winning run in the seventh inning of a 3-2 win over Iolani Saturday to help the Crusaders clinch the ILH regular-season title

Kody Leiu, Farrington — Batted 2 for 2 with four RBIs in a 14-12 win over Nanakuli Wednesday

Taleon Lele, Waialua — Allowed one run on four hits with nine strikeouts in a complete-game effort in a 4-1 win over McKinley Wednesday

Jordan Mopas, Saint Louis — Batted 3 for 4 with an RBI in a 4-3 win over Mid-Pacific Tuesday

Bryce Nagata, Mid-Pacific — Batted 3 for 3 with a triple, two RBIs, a run and a stolen base in an 8-3 win over Kamehameha Saturday

Cole Nakachi, Mililani — Allowed one run on five hits in 5 2/3 innings pitched in a 10-1 win over Aiea Saturday

Neal Nakasone, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 3 with a double and three RBIs in a 13-1 win over Damien Saturday

Michael Nishiki, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 3 with two RBIs and three runs scored in a 13-1 win over Damien Saturday

Aaron Oda, Kaiser — Drove in three runs, walked and scored once in a 10-7 win over Kalaheo Wednesday and had two doubles, drove in two runs, walked once and scored once in a 14-4 win over Kailua Saturday

Matt Reynolds, Pac-Five West — Tossed five shutout innings and batted 2 for 2 with two RBIs, three runs scored and a walk in a 15-0 win over Damien Tuesday

Noah Sakatani, Kaiser — Struck out three batters in one inning to get the save in a 10-7 win over Kalaheo Wednesday

Chasetin Nash Santiago, Waianae — Batted 4 for 5 with a double, three RBIs and five runs scored in a 26-0 win over Kahuku Wednesday

Shayne Serai, Nanakuli — Batted 4 for 5 with a double and two runs scored in a 14-12 loss to Farrington Wednesday

Dylan Sugimoto, Waipahu — Batted 4 for 4 with a triple, double, RBI and a run scored in a 6-5 loss to Leilehua Friday

Ricky Van Gelder, Leilehua — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored in a 6-5 win over Pearl City Wednesday and batted 3 for 3 with two doubles and three runs scored in a 6-5 win over Waipahu Friday

Ty-Noah Williams, Kapolei — Allowed one run on four hits in a complete-game effort in a 3-1 win over Waipahu Wednesday

Jordan Yamamoto, Saint Louis — Tossed a complete game in a 4-3 win over Mid-Pacific Tuesday

Kelan Yoshioka, Kaiser — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple, four RBIs, three runs scored and a walk in a 10-7 win over Kalaheo Wednesday and hit a three-run home run, walked three three times and scored three times in a 14-4 win over Kailua Saturday

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Max Aiono, Leilehua — Had nine kills in a four-set win over Kalaheo Tuesday

Austin Amian, Moanalua — Had 17 digs in a three-set win over Leilehua Thursday

Dustin Carrier, Moanalua — Had eight kills in a three-set win over Leilehua Thursday

Skylar Engleman, Moanalua — Had 31 assists in a three-set win over Leilehua Thursday

Keahu Ka'a'a, Kamehameha — Had 18 kills in a three-set loss to Punahou Thursday

Micah Ma'a, Punahou — Had 12 kills in a three-set win over Kamehameha Thursday

Luke Owens, Kalaheo — Had 12 kills and five blocks in a four-set loss to Leilehua Tuesday

Toma Savea, Leilehua — Had 16 kills in a four-set win over Kalaheo Tuesday

Nai'a Singlehurst, Kalaheo — Had 10 kills in a four-set loss to Leilehua Tuesday

Trent Thompson, Punahou — Had nine kills in a three-set win over Kamehameha Thursday

Larry Tuileta, Punahou — Had 13 kills in a three-set win over Kamehameha Thursday

Luuga Vailuu, Moanalua — Had 11 kills in a three-set win over Leilehua Thursday

GIRLS WATER POLO
Alanna Anderson, Kahuku — Scored four goals in a 17-3 win over Kalani Monday

Brooke Bosque, Kapolei — Scored six goals in an 8-3 win over Pearl City Wednesday

Nikki Grim, Kalaheo — Scored six goals in a 13-10 win over Farrington Monday and four goals in a 16-1 win over Waipahu Wednesday

Nohea Kahaulelio, Kahuku — Scored four goals in a 17-3 win over Kalani Monday

Chloe Vidal, Leilehua — Scored five goals in a 12-8 loss to Mililani Wednesday

GOLF
Kengo Aoshima, Iolani — Shot a 69 at Turtle Bay's Fazio court to win the ILH boys' championship

Mariel Galdiano, Punahou — Shot a 76 at the Turtle Bay Fazio course to win the ILH girls' championship

Trevor Hirata, Waiakea — Shot a first-round 70 at Hualalai Saturday to take the lead in the 54-hole BIIF boys' championships

Andi Igawa, Waiakea — Shot a first-round 79 at Hualalai Saturday to take the lead in the 54-hole BIIF girls' championships

SOFTBALL
Seli Aholelei, Kaiser — Allowed five hits and struck out eight in seven shutout innings pitched in a 5-0 win over Castle Saturday

Amber Alejandro, Waialua — Hit two home runs and drove in six runs in a 17-11 win over Kalani Tuesday

Jordyn Breitbarth, Hilo — Batted 3 for 4 with three RBIs in an 18-7 win over Keaau Saturday

Sara Jinee Buck, Punahou — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, three RBIs and a walk in a 14-4 win over Sacred Hearts Monday

Rachel Dumlao, Kamehameha — Batted 3 for 3 with two RBIs in a 15-4 win over Saint Francis Monday and hit two home runs with five RBIs in a 12-1 win over Pac-Five Wednesday

Kamalani Eldredge, Baldwin — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run in a 10-4 win over Lahainaluna Saturday

Taylor Garcia-Perreira, Iolani — Allowed one run on five hits in seven innings pitched in a 7-1 win over Punahou Wednesday

Bailey Gongob, Kaiser — Batted 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs in a 5-0 win over Castle Saturday

Alyssa Hara, Waiakea — Tossed a complete game and then threw six shutout innings in a pair of wins over Kealakehe Saturday

Shyanne Higa-Gonsalves, Hilo — Had four hits, including a triple, and drove in four runs in an 18-7 win over Keaau Saturday

Destiny Holani, Roosevelt — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, double and three RBIs in a 9-4 win over Kahuku Thursday

Asia Igafo, Castle — Batted 3 for 3 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored in a 7-3 win over Kailua Thursday

Erica Inagaki, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 3 with two RBIs, three runs scored and a walk in an 11-0 win over Iolani Monday

Kristen Ishii, Mililani — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, three RBIs, two runs scored and a stolen base in a 9-3 win over Pearl City Saturday

Kawehi Kahana, Campbell — Batted 3 for 4 with four RBIs and a run scored in a 12-0 win over Kapolei

Shaniya Kamakea-Wong, Keaau — Batted 3 for 4 with two RBIs in an 18-7 loss to Hilo Saturday

Kamryn Kanae, Kapolei — Batted 2 for 4 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored in an 8-7 win over Waipahu Thursday

Aliesa Kaneshiro, Hilo — Threw two complete games, including a one-hitter with eight strikeouts, in a pair of wins over Keaau Saturday

Nawai Kaupe, Baldwin — Batted 4 for 5 with a home run and a double in a 16-3 win over King Kekaulike Monday and 3 for 4 in a 10-4 win over Lahainaluna Saturday

Shawn Kauwalu, Waialua — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, four RBIs and a run scored in a 13-10 win over Kalaheo Saturday

Aubree Kim, Mililani — Struck out 14 batters in eight innings in a 9-3 win over Pearl City Saturday

Shearyna Labasan, Maryknoll — Tossed five scoreless innings in an 11-0 win over Iolani Monday and struck out seven in seven innings pitched in an 8-2 win over Saint Francis Wednesday

Leilani Lastimosa, Kailua — Batted 2 for 4 with a double and three RBIs in a 13-8 win over Kahuku Saturday

Nicole Lopez, Mid-Pacific — Batted 2 for 2 with a home run, five RBIs and two runs scored in an 11-1 win over Pac-Five Monday

Kasey Magdadaro, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 3 with a double and three RBIs in an 11-0 win over Iolani Monday

Katelyn Mahelona, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored in a 15-4 win over Saint Francis Monday

Sanae Nakoa, Baldwin — Batted 2 for 3 with three RBIs in a 16-3 win over King Kekaulike Monday

Elyse Nakamoto, Punahou — Batted 5 for 5 with four doubles, one triple, six RBIs and three runs scored in a 14-4 win over Sacred Hearts Monday

Skyler Nojima, Kailua — Batted 2 for 3 with three RBIs in a 13-8 win over Kahuku Saturday

Kiley Oeda, Mid-Pacific — Batted 2 for 3 with four RBIs and a run scored in a 7-0 win over Sacred Hearts Wednesday

Sarah Onishi, Mid-Pacific — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored in an 11-1 win over Pac-Five Monday

Keahi Pang, Waialua — Batted 3 for 5 with a home run, triple, three RBIs and three runs scored in a 17-11 win over Kalani Tuesday

Precious Paulo-Meyers, Nanakuli — Batted 4 for 6 with a home run and seven RBIs in a 33-3 win over Anuenue Tuesday and hit a home run, doubled and drove in four runs in a 12-0 win over McKinley Saturday

Precious Peters, Farrington — Allowed one run on one hit in five innings pitched in a 14-1 win over Radford Thursday

Raisa Strom-Okimoto, Aiea — Tossed a five-inning two-hitter in a 12-0 win over McKinley Thursday

Lauren Taunu'u, Waianae — Homered, triple, double, drove in six runs and scored twice in a 10-1 win over Leilehua Thursday

Skylar Thomas, Waiakea — Batted 4 for 4 with three RBIs and scored a run in a 9-0 win over Kealakehe Saturday

A. Toyama, Kalani — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, four RBIs and three runs scored in a 17-11 loss to Waialua Tuesday

Selena Victoria, Waialua — Batted 2 for 5 with a home run, seven RBIs and four runs scored in a 17-11 win over Kalani Tuesday

TENNIS
Jace Akagi-Okuma and Davin Lee, Mililani — Won the OIA boys' doubles championship in three sets over Kalani's Calvin Lee and Soohan Bong Saturday

Anakele Apisaloma and Finn Gallagher, Konawaena — Won the BIIF boys' doubles championship in three sets over Hawaii Prep's Alec Jones and Brendan Moynahan Saturday

Haley Fujimori and Alyssa Nakamoto, Mililani — Won the OIA girls' doubles championship 6-4, 6-0 over Mililani's Kristin Mack and Kaycee Oyama Saturday

Ashley Ishimura, Punahou — Won the ILH girls' singles championship 6-2, 6-2 over Saint Francis' Taylor Lau

Kawika Lam, Punahou — Won the ILH boys' singles championship 6-4, 6-3 over Hawaii Baptist's Jeffrey Liang

Sage Leaman, Mililani — Won the OIA boys' singles championship 6-0, 6-3 over Kalani's Darrel Huang Saturday

J.J. Minakata, Hawaii Prep — Won the BIIF boys' singles championship in straight sets over Waiakea's Samuel Matsuura Saturday

Kelly Soares and Emily Soares, Hilo — Won the BIIF girls' doubles championship in three sets over Kealakehe's Mai Kobayashi and April Wong Saturday

Alyssa Tobita, Mililani — Won the OIA girls' singles championship 6-0, 6-0 over Kalani's Hina Goldsmith Saturday

Michelle Uyeda, Kealakehe — Won the BIIF girls' singles championship 6-0, 6-0 over Waiakea's Karyl-Lin Yamakawa Saturday

TRACK & FIELD
Alyssa Gamache, Kealakehe — Won the girls' 100-meter dash in a time of 12.93 seconds and the 200 in 26.72 seconds at a BIIF meet Saturday

Sammy Marumoto, Punahou — Won the girls' pole vault with a mark of 12 feet, 7 inches and the long jump in 16 feet, 8 inches at the Punahou Relays Saturday

Mehana Sabado-Halpern, Hilo — Won the girls' 400-meter run in a time of 59.79 seconds and the triple jump with a mark of 36 feet, 10 inches at a BIIF meet Saturday

Kauanoe Vanderpeol, Kamehameha-Maui — Won the boys' discus and shot put events at the Punahou Relays Saturday

Luca Vartic, Konawaena — Won the boys' 100-meter dash in a time of 11.27 seconds and the 200 in 22.83 seconds at a BIIF meet Saturday