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Posted on: Tuesday, December 4, 2001
Hoop player now a star in volleyball
Advertiser Staff
Ikaika Alama-Francis was always known as a basketball player.
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His father, Joe Francis, is known in Hawai'i as a former football player with the Green Bay Packers.
Ikaika Alama-Francis was selected Player of the Year.
So when Alama-Francis came out for volleyball two years ago at Kalaheo, it was ... a bit awkward.
"He was pretty terrible, actually," said Mustangs coach Sivan Leoni, a volunteer assistant at the time.
But Alama-Francis' volleyball skills have improved tremendously, so much so that he now is known as the O'ahu Interscholastic Association East Player of the Year.
Alama-Francis, a 6-foot-6 senior middle blocker/opposite, was a dominating force in helping Kalaheo win the East championship with an 8-1 record.
"All-around, he had an excellent season," Leoni said. "I was really satisfied with his block, and hitting, the other teams couldn't really stop him."
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Leoni, a former University of Hawai'i standout, says Alama-Francis has developed into a Division I prospect.
Sivan Leoni was named Coach of the Year.
"He's got good athletic ability and he works hard," Leoni said. "With more experience, I know for sure he can play in college."
Alama-Francis is joined on the first team by senior teammate Jacob Reis (5-11), McKinley seniors Matthew Uelese (6-2) and Ryland Watanabe (5-5), Farrington seniors Raymond Melei (5-10) and Henry Valentie (5-5) and Moanalua senior Jacob Gaison (6-0).
Leoni, in his first year as a head coach, was named Coach of the Year.
"In terms of work effort, we really demanded a lot of effort," Leoni said. "That made a difference."
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