HHSAA Boys Volleyball
Wade powers Kamehameha past Moanalua, into D1 finale


Edward Zhang | SL
May 11, 2024, 6:11am

  

Fri, May 10, 2024 @ Punahou [ 5:00 pm ]

Kamehameha

3

Moanalua

1

FINAL  1   2   3   4   5      
KSK (14-5) 25 26 25 25 - 3
MOA (15-2) 11 28 20 19 - 1
Kill: K. Wade (KSK) 36 kills
Blk: P. Awai (KSK) 5 blk
Ast: B. Van Kuren (KSK) 54 ast


MANOA — The Kainoa Wade train runs on schedule in Hemmeter Fieldhouse.

In typical fashion, reigning All-Hawaii Player of the Year Kainoa Wade poured in 36 kills while hitting .517 in Kamehameha's win over the Moanalua Na Menehune on Friday night in the New City Nissan/HHSAA Division I Boys Volleyball semifinals. Set scores were 25-11, 26-28, 25-20, and 25-19.

Na Menehune had no answer for Wade over sixty swings, as his 36 kills was a game-high by a margin of 20, as Moanalua's Trevor Kwak was next with 16.

When asked about the pressure that comes with his crucial role on the team, Wade brushed it off as something he's come to embrace.

"No, none [no pressure] at all. I've embraced this role, and we are going to go into the next one, and it's going to be the same thing. Let's keep it rolling," Wade said.

The previously undefeated Na Menehune didn't go out without a fight, taking the second set off of the Warriors. Junior Draider "Malu" Wilcox controlled the game from the setter spot for the Na Menehune, finishing with 39 assists and 4 digs.

The first set was all Kamehameha as their high-powered offense rolled to 18 kills while hitting a blazing .593 clip. Wade contributed 10 kills, an ace, and a solo block, as it looked like the Warriors were going to run away with it early.

However, Moanalua responded well in the second set, largely willed forward by their star setter. Down 11-7 after a Kainoa Wade kill and in danger of seeing the set fall out of reach, Wilcox roofed Wade on a solo block, setTrevor Kwak for an kill, and then recorded a service ace to pull the set back within reach at 11-10. Moanalua ultimately pulled out the set 28-26 and got their hometown fans on their feet.

"We never thought we lost confidence; that's the good thing about this group. We never think we lose confidence. We are going to play with confidence wherever we are in the game, and that's what we did coming into the third set hot. Took care of business," Wade said when asked about the mindset of the team after dropping the second set.

Kamehameha head coach Sava Agpoon kept it light when asked about the second set.

"We identified that we weren't having as much fun as we were having in the first set. They started to get into each other's faces a little bit. But we warned them about that, and they got out of it. We didn't feel Moanalua was getting [the momentum]; we really felt like it was all us and not them."

In the final two sets, the physicality and depth of the Kamehameha lineup began to show through. Although both sets started off close (9-8 KSK and 8-7 KSK), by the latter half of the sets, the Warriors began to pull away. Moanalua simply seemed outmatched as the combination of Wade, Poukihi Awai, Conor Williams, and Kaupo Hoopai-Waikoloa bombarded them from all angles. Awai, Williams, and Hoopai-Waikoloa finished the game with seven kills each.

In the showdown most have been expecting all season, the Warriors are now set to face off against the Punahou Buffanblu in a rematch of last year's state championship.

Both Agpoon and Wade have their sights on changing the outcome of the familiar matchup.

"We are going to play our hardest. It's revenge from last year; we definitely don't want a repeat of that," Coach Agpoon said.

"I'm not scared of anyone; we are going to play with confidence and poise," Wade said.




Show your support

Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ScoringLive continue its mission to provide the best and most comprehensive coverage of high school sports in the state of Hawaii and beyond.

Please consider making a contribution today.


IMAGE GALLERY


MORE STORIES

Track and field proposals among those being considered at HIADA conference

Athletics administrators from across the state are gathered at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, where the...

HHSAA inducts 44th class into Hall of Honor

Twelve student-athletes from 10 different schools and representing three of the state's leagues were...

Iolani's Nakanelua garners All-Hawaii Player of the Year honors

Senior setter Bailey Nakanelua was the engine that helped drive the Raiders back to the top of state...

Pearl City's Ngirmidol headlines All-OIA Division II picks

Chargers' setter Marley Ngirmidol named Player of the Year in OIA Division II; Pearl City head coach...

Moanalua sweeps All-OIA East Boys Volleyball top honors

Na Menehune outside hitter Lionel Gannon named Player of the Year and head coach Alan Cabanting named...

Mililani's Kimura named All-OIA West Player of the Year

Senior OH Seth Kimura was joined by teammate Kaito Duranceau on the first team; Trojans' head coach Gabriel...