KAPAA — Despite challenges from Menehune and the Red Raiders, the Voyagers remain undefeated following the results of Friday's Kauai Interscholastic Federation boys volleyball game.
The contests were held at Clem Gomez Gym, where the Voyagers traveled to meet Menehune, and Bernice Hundley Gym, where the Warriors hosted the Raiders.
With one week left in the KIF men's volleyball season, the Voyagers defeated Waimea in straight sets, 25-22, 25-17, 25-15, keeping their undefeated status intact.
On the junior varsity court, Menehune needed three sets to defeat Island School 25-9, 23-25, 15-5.
At Bernice Hundley, the JV Warriors won in two sets, 25-22 and 25-18.
At the varsity level, Kapaa took control, overcoming a third-set scare from Kauai to win the night by scores of 25-16, 25-17, 25-22.
After controlling the first two sets on the shoulders of Kapaa's traditional starters: Kyle Bouncitt, Philisi Hunt, Napela Mokuahi and Austin Green, Kapaa coach Kapur Kaona put his inexperienced players in the lead. I started to put it into a 3-set battle.
Green's hard hit tied the set at 5-5, and Kaina Andrade's serve gave Kauai two points before a Raider error at 8-7 halted progress.
Kauai's block brought the Raiders up to two points, and a strong hit by Raider's Dylan Takata gave the away team a 15-13 lead, then a hit and an ace from Kapaa's Emry Pituraksatit made it 16-1. The match was decided at 16.
Once the Raiders reached 20 points, Coach Kaona reinserted the starting pitchers and Bounsett ended the game with four consecutive points, sparked by a Hunt Hammer.
KIF boys volleyball's next game will be on Tuesday, when the Warriors will travel to Clem Gomez Gym to face Waimea High School. In town, the Red Raiders will travel to Wilcox Gymnasium to take on the league-leading Voyagers.
•••
Dennis Fujimotostaff writers, contact 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.