Hoopai-Waikoloa leads Kalani in straight set win over Kaiser

Rayden Aoki | SL

Led by the high-octane hitting and serving of Elau Hoopai-Waikoloa, Kalani took down crosstown rival Kaiser in straight sets 25-19, 25-18, 25-19, marking the first win for the Falcons over the Cougars since 2016.

Hoopai-Waikoloa, who played last season at Molokai High, had 13 kills and four aces, both match highs.

His first ace gave the Falcons set one, and his second ace got Kalani to set point and his final two aces came on back-to-back serves in the third to put the home team well in front at 19-12.

"(We want) to put them out of system when I go back there (to serve), they're not ready for it," said Hoopai-Waikoloa of his serving.

Beyond his prowess behind the serve line, Hoopai-Waikoloa's ability to not only elevate but also swing with authority made for more than a few thunderous kills.

"If it's there, they'll (our setters) start putting it in a good spot for me to hit it hard," said Hoopai-Waikoloa. "If it's not there, I'll just keep it in (play)."

Starting setting Keisen Takamiya notched 12 assists in two sets, while reserve sophomore Noah Mark registered 12 more in the third frame alone.

Kalani didn't necessarily dominate in the blocking department, but middle Kevin Wu made his presence felt in a big way in set two for the home team, with two huge block solos and another assisted block, part of a 10-0 scoring run in the set.

"That just gave us confidence to just keep going," said Hoopai-Waikoloa of the stretch. "It was a good run."

The game wasn't without its share of early season hiccups.

Both teams combined for 23 service errors, which included a stretch of three straight miscues at the back line that ended the second set with a bit of flat note.

Kalani and Kaiser both are very youthful squads, with two freshman and a sophomore logging significant minutes for the Cougars and a pair of freshman and sophmores inserted saw action for the Falcons.

In the loss, Hall, a sophomore, led the Cougars with seven kills, while freshmen Reis Hughes had five kills and Alika Cummings three aces in their first high school action.

Sophomore Yuto Sawada had two kills and two blocks for Kalani, while freshmen Rory Brier and Jack Pellett had an ace and a kill, respectively.