Two top stars in ILH may miss first half of season

By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two of the best high-school girl volleyball players in the state will miss a major part of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu season because of injuries. It could affect the standings dramatically.

Ann Kang, coach of Iolani, has state Player of the Year Kanoe Kamana'o back for this season. Iolani finished 20-0 last season. Advertiser library photo • Dec. 1, 2001

Junior hitter Mounia Nihipali of Kamehameha sprained her left ankle at practice after last month's Iolani Classic. Warrior coach Joey Miyashiro said she hopes Nihipali, whose ankle was placed in a cast, can return for the last half of the season.

"I hope we can still play well and then be better when she gets back," Miyashiro said.

How well Punahou and Kamehameha can play without their best weapons will be tested immediately as they play each other in the first match of the season Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Kamehameha's Kekuhaupi'o Gym.

Meanwhile, defending league and state champion Iolani (20-0 in 2001) has no broken or twisted limbs, but graduated four players who earned all-state recognition — two on the first team.

The Raiders are not bereft of talent, however. Returning is state Player of the Year Kanoe Kamana'o, who has been chosen to play for USA Volleyball's Junior team in international tournaments the past two years.

Kamana'o noted that "Puna and Mounia are two dominating players, but it's not going to be easy for us even without them. We have to push ourselves to develop to become like we were last year."

Miyashiro predicted, "Kanoe will play at 500 percent and help out the rest of the team."

Iolani coach Ann Kang agreed. "We were not decimated by graduation. We've got a lot to replace, but the girls are coming around and working hard. Kanoe's leadership is a great place to start."

Kang said Kamana'o's role will be the same as last year: "setting, hitting, serving, defense — all over the court."

Kang has moved senior Raeceen Woolford outside to take advantage of her "real explosive jump," and replaced her in the middle with JV graduates Pono Fernandez and Rebecca Lisle. "They are the tallest middles we've ever had — between 5-10 and 6 feet," Kang said.

"We will be in the mix," Kang promised.

McDermott looks to Aneli Otineru, first-team all-state as a freshman last year, to "carry a big load for us. She ranks right up there behind Kanoe and has improved a lot."

He said he has been "pleasantly surprised with (senior) Amy Wilkinson, especially at the net and that setter Marissa Chow will be solid. "I think it will be Kam, Iolani and hopefully us," McDermott said. La Pietra again will contend, he said.

St. Francis coach Sean Maskell said "the injuries have leveled out the playing field a little, but I still think Kam and Iolani will be at the head of the class."

For his own team, he said, "this is truly a rebuilding year." Madisen Minkel is his only senior and blocker Jenelle Kekua the only other returning starter.

"La Pietra returns a good corps of players, like Alicia Arnott and Ali Rigg, and was really competitive last year," Maskell added. "The whole middle of the pack — University, Sacred Hearts, Maryknoll — is going to be interesting."

La Pietra's Arnott has already made a verbal commitment to the University of Hawai'i, as has Kamana'o.

Richardson, a 6-foot blocker, is being recruited by St. John's of New York, Saint Mary's and Santa Clara of California and Texas A&M.

ILH teams have won the past 20 state girls championships; Kamehameha has nine of those.