HHSAA Division II GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Rough Riders take fifth

By Edward Jackson

Roosevelt, led by Taylor Kanoe Pupuhi, captured fifth place in the New City Nissan/HHSAA Division II State Championship, Saturday, Oct. 30th at McKinley Student Council Gym in Honolulu.

Pupuhi tallied a game-high 22 assists in the victory over Hawaii Prep of the Big Island Interscholastic Association. The Rough Riders won in straight sets, 35-33 and 25-23.

Pupuhi performance in setting up her teammates was impressive as Roosevelt was able to sweep by the narrowest of margin.

“Hawaii Prep is a good strong aggressive team,” Pupuhi said after the match. “We really had to work hard for this win.”

Pupuhi ends a brilliant three year career with the Rough Riders. Roosevelt finished the season with a 16-2 and winners of the Oahu Interscholastic Association White Division Championship.

“That was my last match of my high school career and I’m glad that I was able to play a great game.” Pupuhi said.  “I thought we could have done better in the tournament. We lost the first game which was a heart-breaking, but we pulled ourselves back together and came back to win our last two matches. So I’m proud that we were able to overcome our disappointment.”

Teammates Zoe Young, Lehuanani Kawai Oleole and Kamalei Pitoy also played notably. Young knocked down 13 kills and Oleole had 12 kills. Pitoy registered 17 digs to lead the defensive efforts.

Hawaii Prep (14-2) was led by Leeta Grap and Mackenzie Bucker with six kills apiece. Both of Hawaii Prep’s losses came in this tournament.

Ka Makani’s senior Jerhnie Evangelista and junior Katy Pacheco says playing in the state tournament is very intensive.

“We came into this tournament trying to feel relax and not put too much pressure on ourselves,” Evangelista said. “Although we came into this tourney undefeated we already knew that the level of competition would be much higher. So after we lost the second match we just tried to have as much fun as possible playing.”