University Lab needs four sets to post Senior Night win over Hawaii Baptist

Greg Yamamoto | SL

It didn't quite start off as planned, but a senior-laden Jr. Bows' squad made sure to finish off its home slate with a proper finish.

Fifth-ranked University Lab dropped the first set, but ultimately outgunned number six Hawaii Baptist in a hard-fought match four set match, notching its third straight win in the process. The set scores were 21-25, 25-23, 25-21 and 25-21.

Koa Laboy had 29 kills and Trey Ambrozich 22 to pace the Jr. Bows' attack, orchestrated by setter Kawehi Kaneakua, who ran the offense superbly to the tune of 52 assists, a season-high.

"It makes it easy," said Kaneakua of the presence of Laboy and Ambrozich, "I also have my other weapons, but our two big weapons on the outside though, they're always putting in the work."

The duo of Laboy and Ambrozich accounted for 51 of the 58 kills for the Jr. Bows. The pair also finished with 6 total blocks, two for Laboy and four for Ambrozich.

Momentum seemed to be on the side of the Eagles after taking the first set, but the Jr. Bows kept its composure, battling literally point for point in the second set much like it did in the first before pulling away late, evening the match at a set a piece on an Ambrozich kill.

"We just came back, kept our composure, they always tell us that, and don't really get stuck on any plays," said Kaneakua. "We just keep moving forward."

Set three saw the home team inch ever-so-slightly ahead in the early going, stretching the lead to around three points, a margin that held for the majority of the set before a 5-0 spurt broke the game open at 21-14. During that scoring stretch, Todd McKinney made the most of his limited action, putting down back-to-back kills to cap that run.

"He really loves trying new sports, trying new things and he puts in a lot of hard work," said Kaneakua of the 5-foot-10 McKinney. "He's the shortest middle, probably in all of ILH Division I, but he can get off the ground pretty quick."

Hawaii Baptist battled back to within three with a 4-0 run of its own that was highlighted by a pair of blocks by the tandem of Kensin Casamina and Kameden Kaneshiro Takeuchi, but a service error got the Jr. Bows to set point and they closed out the set a point later on a Laboy kill.

Momentum contiuned to swing University Lab's way through the midway point of the fourth, though the Eagles managed to claw their way back to tie it at 18-all, and got as close at 22-20 late in the set.

Ultimately, the Jr. Bows were able to close things out in the fourth, getting to match point on an Ambrozich kill and taking the set on an Aaron Hamada ace.

In the loss, Samuel Mokan had a monster game, finishing with 25 kills, two blocks and two aces. Jason Rivers added 15 kills and Kai Toyofuku dished out 42 assists to pace the Eagles.

Hawaii Baptist actually outblocked University Lab in the match, 15 to 10.

The win for the Jr. Bows catapults it, at least for the moment, ahead of the Warriors for the second spot in the ILH Division I rankings. Games at Iolani and at Kamehameha remain on the docket.

Five seniors played their final home game as Junior Bows, Laboy, Hamada, Kaneakua, Jordan Polendey, Ethan Blas and Luke Rivera.