Kaiser's Micaela Bitanga blocks a kill attempt against Farrington. Sean Nakamura | SL

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Farrington OH Savannah Kahakai puts a kill past the block of Kaiser's Annika Rigterink and Shaina Epstein. Sean Nakamura | SL

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Kaiser's Micaela Bitanga blocks a kill attempt against Farrington. Sean Nakamura | SL

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Farrington OH Savannah Kahakai puts a kill past the block of Kaiser's Annika Rigterink and Shaina Epstein. Sean Nakamura | SL

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For head coach Reagan Agena and the Farrington Governors, a 25-21, 25-21 win over the Kaiser Cougars to open the 2012 season has got to feel pretty good.

"We've been working for the last couple of months and its a testament to the kind of work they've been putting forward and I think we're starting to believe a little bit more" said Agena. "We've had a couple of rough years so its obviously a very satisfying win."

The Govs finished 0-12 in 2010 and 4-8 in 2011, but looked sharp from the get-go in their 2012 opener at Kitamura Gymnasium, matching the visiting Cougars point for point for much of the first, before seizing control of the set on a trio of aces by Trinity Alualu to push the margin to 23-19.

Kaiser would rally to within 23-21 on a Shaina Epstein ace, but a Cougar service error on the ensuing play would push the Govs to set point, and they would close it out on a service ace by Jessica Vele on the very next point.

In set number two, the Cougars would lead 8-5 in the early going, but an Alualu kill followed by three consecutive Kaiser miscues would give the Govs the lead midway through. Farrington would continue to build momentum as the set progressed, extending the lead to seven on an Alualu block at 19-12.

Down but not out, Kaiser would mount a mini rally at 23-17, closing to within 23-20 on an Annika Rigterink kill. But Savannah Kahakai would put an end any comeback hopes for the Cougars, slamming home a shot in the back right corner at 24-21 to end it.

Vele, who lead the way for the Govs with 11 assists to go along with two aces and a kill, pointed to the communcation on the floor as key factor.

"I just kept communicating with them, kept giving them their plays... getting those sets out there for them to get an opportunity to swing at the ball." said Vele. "Communicating with the team was a big thing for us to bring ourselves back up."

Savannah Kahakai would post a match-high 6 kills, and Alualu and Penina Faumui would add four more kills each.

Kaiser was led by Karley DeMello's 5 kills and 2 assists, and Shaina Epstein added 4 kills an ace and an assist.