The Bernice Hundley Gym was buzzing with excitement Tuesday as the Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation boys’ volleyball matches between the Kapa’a Warriors and the Island School Voyagers took place.
The Voyagers, who were undefeated in league play suffered their first loss in four sets in front of an audience that refused to give up the lead on either side and gave praise for both the players and the coaches.
Two sets to one down, the Voyages had won the first set, but they were soon chasing, 5-2, after a strong hit by Kapa ‘a’s James Kessler. This hitting helped the Warriors take a 2-1 lead.
Island School responded by fighting back on a Dylan Date pound (7-6).
Kessler, had several aces, and Kapa’a was up 11-6. Then Orion Magaoay found a Voyager Ace for a deficit of 10-12. The contest was then tied at 18-18 after a Warrior miscue.
The Voyagers refused to submit and took the lead 20-18 on another Warrior error. Kessler responded with a pound and the game was then tied 20-20 by a Voyager net violation.
Voyager Michael Fitzgerald tied the contest 23-23. There were more stalemates until the Voyager made a couple of errors sealing the win for Kapa’a 31-29.
Kapa’a won the series: 25-17, 25-20 and 20-25, respectively, and 31-29.
KIF Boys Volleyball will be back in action Friday as the league-leading Voyagers host Waimea at the Wilcox Gymnasium. The JV games start at 5 p.m. and the varsity game follows at 6:30 p.m.
A Menehune victory at Wilcox Gymnasium would result in a playoff for first round title.
The Kauai Red Raiders will host Kapa’a on Friday. The JV game starts at 5 p.m., with the varsity contest following.
