Aiea charges past Pearl City in straight sets, 25-22, 25-17

Aiea's Keali'i Leopoldo puts up kill past the block of Pearl City's Sylvia Lee | SL

PEARL CITY--Aiea won in two sets, 25-22 and 25-17 to defeat Pearl City in their opener at Pearl City High School on Thursday evening. This was the first game for both teams, Aiea is in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association White West while Pearl City is in the OIA Red West.

"First game, we started off a little slow, but as the game continued on we started to pick it up," said Aiea outside hitter/opposite hitter PerritteTogafau.

"In the first set, I think they were nervous, but I hope they loosened up," said Aiea coach Erin Coker.

Aiea jumped out to a 10-5 lead after a service ace from Perritte Togafau. However, Pearl City battled back and outscored the Na Ali'i 8-4 to make it 14-13 after a block from PJay Solomon.

The Chargers kept it close, but Na Ali'i managed to go up by four, 21-17 after a kill from Nick Jack. Pearl City outscored Aiea 4-1 and managed to cut the deficit to one, 22-21 after another kill from Solomon.

"Lots of errors," said Coker. "I have a lot of new guys too, first year guys and they were very nervous and you could see it on their faces. I just said to do what you do during the drills."

The Na Ali'i pulled away and Aaron Vaiaga'e's block ended the set, 25-22.

In the second set, Aiea jumped out to a 12-6 lead after Pearl City hit the ball out of bounds. Togafau had a kill to put the Na Ali'i up by 10, 18-8.

"For passing we need to work on it and the kills, the same thing," said Togafau, who is a junior.

"I think he's playing hurt right now, so his back is sore or something. I don't know what's wrong with him, but he's sucking it up with being hurt and everything," said Coker on Togafau.

Senior Kama Obrero had a kill to put Aiea up 21-10. Pearl City managed to cut it to six, 21-15 after a service ace from Jordan Florita however, Aiea closed out the set 25-17 to win the match.

Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].