20th Iolani volleyball tourney starts today
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hawai'i teams will try to break a four-year drought at the 20th Iolani Invitational girls volleyball tournament, which starts today at Iolani School's two gyms.
First matches of the day start at 9:45 a.m. with the last matches slated for 7:30 p.m.
The last four tournaments were won by national powers Harvard-Westlake and Newport Harbor, both of Southern California. This year, Hawai'i teams have a better chance.
"The Hawai'i teams are stronger than last year," Iolani coach Ann Kang said. "The Hawai'i teams have a good chance to win it this year."
Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood), defending tournament champions, leads the field that has four teams in the top 80 of Student Sports' national rankings. It is ranked 43rd. But three Hawai'i teams in the tournament also are ranked. Defending state champion Iolani is No. 57, Punahou is No. 61 and St. Joseph is No. 73.
Pearl City, which is not in the tournament, was the last Hawai'i team to win the invitational in 1997.
Some players to watch are Iolani senior Kanoe Kamana'o, a 2001 prep All-America setter, who already has verbally committed to play at the University of Hawai'i. She also is the state's player of the year from last season.
Other returning all-state players in the tournament are Punahou sophomore Aneli Otineru, St. Joseph junior Jazmin Paakaula and Hilo senior Sarah Mason.
The 20-team tournament has seven teams from California: Santa Barbara, Santa Margarita, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Harvard-Westlake, St. Margaret's, Murrieta and Mira Costa.
The Interscholastic League of Honolulu will be represented by host Iolani, Punahou, Hawai'i Baptist Academy and Kamehameha, while the O'ahu Interscholastic Association will have Kalani, Kahuku, Moanalua, McKinley, Kaimuki and Mililani.
The Neighbor Islands are represented by the Big Island's St. Joseph and Hilo, and Seabury Hall of Maui.
The tournament begins with pool play today and tomorrow. The championship round features six matches on Friday. Consolation play will be held Saturday morning with championship round matches to follow from 1 p.m. The championship match is slated for 8 p.m.
