Kalaheo sweeps host Kaiser for fifth straight victory

Kalaheo senior outside hitter Jazzahlei Satele-Filifili (16) celebrates after earning the final point in a close 25-23 second set. Michael Lasquero | SL

HAWAII KAI — As a longtime assistant coach of the program, first-year Kalaheo girls volleyball coach Kevin Mau has seen a seamless transition as the new head coach of the team.

It also helps when you have a pair of superstar sisters on the squad.

Jazzahlei and Jadalynn Satele-Filisi combined for 30 kills Wednesday night as the Mustangs came away with a sweep on the road against Kaiser in an OIA East match. Set scores were 25-19, 25-23 and 25-16.

Mau got a little emotional talking about the duo after the win over the Cougars.

"First off as a coach, I'm so blessed," said Mau. "If I had one of them I would be so blessed. To have both of them for me, sometimes I get emotional talking about them because I've been with them from both when they were a freshman, and to see them grow into the people they are now, just the way they play the game is the right way and I love it. It makes it so much easier on me as a coach as well."

Jazzahlei Satele-Filisi, who is now a senior, led the attack with a match-high 19 kills while junior Jadalynn Satele showcased her versatility with 11 kills and 14 assists."

"The way they handle themselves around the rest of their teammates, you would never know they're the superstars and for me that's the biggest thing, is that they're so humble," Mau said. "They take so much on themselves to be just the star players of the team, but also very much team players, which as a coach, you can't ask for anything better than that for sure."

It was also the Mustangs' fifth straight win of the season after dropping their season opener against Kahuku.

"Kahuku was so tough, they're such a good team," said Mau. "It's nice to kind of have this kind of middle of the season to try and get our act together for sure. The ladies are definitely playing hard, as long as they keep playing hard as they are I'm sure that will peak at the right time."

Six other players registered kills for Kalaheo with Brooke Kearsley racking up 20 assists as the other setter in the Mustangs' 6-2 offense. Jourdyn Kekauoha-Viena was the next highest attacker with four kills.

Kaiser dropped to 2-5 with the loss. Freshman Hatesa Sopoaga led the Cougars in defeat with 10 kills.