Hawaii Baptist's Bryson Gonzales and Kellen Takatsuka puts up a block against Le Jardin's Evan Kroll last Saturday. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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There's a changing of the guard for the Hawaii Baptist boys volleyball team. 

The eight-time Division II state champions, and winners of the last six titles, have a lot of new faces stepping into key offensive positions. 

Gone is three-time varsity player and 2016 Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II Most Valuable Player Caleb Fisher, as well as opposite Brett Miller and middle blocker Samuel Nishimiya. 

There is a big difference between this year's offensive weapons than last year's hitters however.

They're not as tall.

Stepping into the outside hitting position this season for the Eagles are 5-foot-8 senior Kellen Takatsuka and 5-foot-9 junior MJ Johnson, a stark difference from 6-foot-4 Fisher, 6-foot-2 Miller and 6-foot-1 Nishimiya. 

While they lack the size of years past, the Eagles know that they'll have to make up for it in other areas.

"Yeah, we're not as big as the last few years," said Takatsuka. "I think what we lack in height, we make up for in effort and scrappiness, and that's what we're about. Just trying to pick up all that we can and defend real well."

Takatsuka isn't just trying to fill the void of last year's offensive threats, he's also stepping into a new position.

"In the past few years, I've come in as a (defensive specialist) or to serve and stuff. This year, I'm just trying to step up and play my role as a hitter," said Takatsuka, who had eight kills in the Eagles' first game of the regular season. 

Johnson got most of the swings in Hawaii Baptist's season opener against Le Jardin last Saturday. He performed well in a 25-16, 25-22 straight set sweep, putting down a match-high 11 kills. 

"They're always going to take care of the ball and they're going to generate opportunities," Le Jardin coach Lee Lamb said of the Eagles. "They got some really good swing and they were taking advantage of the holes in our block. We were having a hard time sealing and making sure there wasn't any seams, and they were exporting that so they did a great job."

Other players stepping into starting positions include Eric Wong at opposite and middles Max Wiemken and Bryson Gonzalez. Wiemken showed the most potential against the Bulldogs, getting a pair of overpass kills and three blocks, two solo. 

While the Eagles have new players at their offensive positions, they do have continuity with a returning setter in Davin Rausch and returning libero Dru Pang, a First Team ILH selection in 2016. 

"It's key to have Davin and Dru on the court just because they're experienced with last year and the state tournament so they can kind of us calm us down," said Hawaii Baptist coach Teoni Obrey. 

Still, the returning duo will still need to step up as leaders.

"They're not used to carrying the load and being leaders, so that's something that's going to be new for them and they'll learn as we move along," said Obrey. 

Rausch, a 5-foot-8 junior, split time at the setting duties in 2016 before winning the job full time towards the latter part of the season.

"I think Davin has grown a lot more into the starting setter position and he's gotten a lot better at what he does and he's a big help to our team," Takatsuka said on Rausch.

Takatsuka also spoke highly of Pang. 

"Dru is very vocal and he likes to take control of the defense and passing, and that's what we need on this team."

Pang noted the difference in last year's team and this year's group, but has hope that the team can grow and compete for a ninth state title. 

"We're smaller and younger, but I think we have the potential, and that's the main thing," said Pang. "We have a lot of kids that are new this year, so I think the more experience they get, the better they'll be."