Hawaiian Electric Game of the Week
Buffanblu to open title defense at Kamehameha




It may be early in the boys volleyball season, but make no mistake, six-time defending state champion Punahou is — wait for it — the team to beat.

Surprise.

The Buffanblu return five starters from last year's squad that went 18-0, capped by a four-set win over Kamehameha-Hawaii in the Division I state final. So perhaps to no one's surprise, they've picked right back up this year where they left off last.

"The guys are showing a good energy and a good competitive level in the gym so far, so I'm really optimistic about us coming out of the gate strong and seeing what we bring," said Punahou coach Rick Tune, whose team opens defense of its ILH and state titles at Kamehameha Thursday.

"We have twelve guys coming back, so it's a seasoned and veteran group and to be truthful, we're close to being at midseason form already with the way that the guys have come in and been ready to work," Tune said.

Tune will have access to an embarrassment of riches in talent. Five Buffanblu returnees earned All-Hawaii distinction last season, including four First Team selections in pin hitters Ryan Wilcox (6-3, Sr.) and Kanai Akana (6-4, Sr.) and setter Jameson McKibbin (6-2, Sr.). Also, libero Shea Suzumoto (5-7, Jr.) and middle blocker Ryan Hong (6-3, Sr.) were named Second and Third Team All-Hawaii, respectively, last season.

"We've got a lot of leaders on this squad and everybody has been real dialed in at this point, so it's nice to see a team that has experienced a level of success the last few years to still be hungry and I can definitely say that about this group. They are hungry," said Tune, who has coached the Buffanblu to eight of their record 35 state championships..

Wilcox earned Player of the Year honors last season. He signed with UC Santa Barbara and McKibbin with USC in November.

"Going into the season, Punahou is probably the number one team — I shouldn't say ‘probably' — they are the number one team," Kamehameha coach Randy Nako said. "They've got a whole lot of talent, a whole lot of Division I players and they've been playing together for a while, so that helped and when you combine that experience and their talent level, I think they'll be the favorite in not only the ILH, but the state.

"Obviously, Rick does a good job putting it all together. You can have the talent, but you've still got to put the talent together and I think he does a great job with them," Nako said.

The Warriors are coming off a disappointing 2017 season that saw them miss the state tournament and finish with a modest 7-8 record, but the cupboard is hardly bare.

Nako said he likes what he is working with so far.

"We have a good mix of young and old kids. Our young kids are very talented. Whether they can handle the situation (Thursday), it's something we have to wait and see, but they're good volleyball players and they've just got to come out and play, so it'll be a good match, I think."

The newcomer expected to make the biggest impact is 5-foot, 7-inch freshman Cruse Aea.

"I think he's an up-and-comer," Nako said. "He has a lot of talent and he's going to play a lot during the season. Initially he will play defensive specialist for us, but he will also be the backup setter and he can really play every position but the middle because of his size. He's a good all-around player where he can play all the other positions if we needed him to."

Nako also pointed to depth, particularly at middle blocker, as reason to be optimistic. Seniors Kobe Young and Kamren Victorino-Kato — fresh off of basketball season — bring veteran experience in the middle.

"They were just catching on to the game and last year was a learning experience for them, but they stuck with it and this year I think will be the fruits of that, so they will play a big role throughout the season," Nako said.

Setter Matthew Saffery (6-1, Jr.) will be the quarterback at the controls of the offense for Kamehameha.

"I think he's arguably the best, or second-best setter in the state," Nako said. "He'll be a good D1 setter, so we've got the pieces. It's a matter of whether we can put it together at the right time, but we do have a good bunch of players and I'm lucky to have them."

Neither team has played any preseason games. The Warriors had a 10-match trip to the Big Island scheduled for last week canceled last minute.

"So our first match is against Punahou, arguably the best team in the state, but we're playing in our place so hopefully that helps," Nako said. "Even though we've had no preseason games, our practices have been awesome and the kids have been competing like hell. Obviously, it would help if we had some preseason games, but that's just the way it is and we have to go out and execute and try our best."

During their current state-championship streak that spans six years, the Buffanblu have compiled a record of 102-3. All of their losses have come against Kamehameha.

"Kamehameha this year will like always: talented, deep, scrappy and they will play well on their home court and they won't roll over — I know that," Tune said. "We know we have to be ready for a dogfight to open the ILH tomorrow and based on the last few days' practices, we're excited about the opportunity and excited about the challenge."

First serve between the Buffanblu and Warriors is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Kekuhaupio Gymnasium.



Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].




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