Posted on: Tuesday, December 9, 2003

O'AHU LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL ALL-STARS
Blankenship, Carney Tuifagu share honor

Selected by respective leagues
Stories by Wes Nakama, The Honolulu Advertiser

ILH BOYS

Kamehameha's Adam Tuifagu, above, was one of the most feared hitters in the ILH. Tuifagu, Carney and Blankenship, right, were players of the year. Advertiser library photo

With three Interscholastic League of Honolulu boys volleyball players as good as Todd Blankenship, Sean Carney and Adam Tuifagu, it was too tough to choose one as Player of the Year.

So the coaches went with all three seniors.

Blankenship, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker, took over that key position after playing outside hitter last year and became a force for Iolani.

Carney, a 6-3 setter/outside hitter, was equally dangerous with assists, kills or blocks and along with Blankenship led the Raiders to their first ILH title since 1979.

Tuifagu, a 6-1 outside hitter, was one of only two returning starters for Kamehameha but led the Warriors within one victory of a third straight ILH title. With a high leap and powerful swing, he was the most feared hitter in the league.

Iolani placed two others on the ILH All-Star first team: sophomore outside hitter Kawika Shoji and senior defensive specialist Michael Contee, a repeat choice.

Others making the first team are Punahou senior opposite Michael China, Damien senior outside hitter Kawika Lopez and Kamehameha senior setter Ainoa Miyashiro.

Iolani's Luis Ramirez was named Coach of the Year for the second time in three seasons.

ILH GIRLS

Cubi-Otineru sparked Punahou to league title

Punahou junior outside hitter Aneli Cubi-Otineru showed solid all-around skills and provided leadership for a young Buffanblu squad. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Punahou junior Aneli Cubi-Otineru did not have any 37-kill matches this season like she did last year.

But Cubi-Otineru, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter, had a better all-around performance this time around, leading the Buffanblu to an undefeated regular season (17-0) and the Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship.

She capped it by being named ILH Player of the Year in a vote of league coaches.

"Our team was better all-around this year, so she had a lot more ways to contribute," Punahou coach Scott Rigg said. "And we were young, so she had to be one of our leaders."

Cubi-Otineru is joined on the ILH All-Star first team by teammates Elizabeth Ka'aihue, a 5-8 freshman outside hitter, and Pohai Nu'uhiwa, a 5-0 junior setter.

Kamehameha placed two players on the first team: senior outside hitters Mounia Nihipali (5-10) and Kristen Ponce (5-8).

Others named to the first team are La Pietra middle blocker Chandra Shih (5-10, senior), Word of Life middle blocker Careena Onosai (6-0, sophomore) and Hawai'i Baptist defensive specialist Jayme Lee (5-1, junior).

Punahou's Rigg was named Coach of the Year.

OIA EAST GIRLS

Miyashiro helped Kalani to best season in 31 years

Tamari Miyashiro, left, and the Kalani Falcons didn't miss a step when Aven Lee took over as coach. The Falcons went 11-0 in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association regular season. Miyashiro and Lee were honored as player and coach of the year, respectively. Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

Kalani junior Tamari Miyashiro had to adjust to a new coach this season after her sister Tehani stepped down from the position last year.

But Miyashiro's cousin Aven Lee stepped in to fill Tehani's role, and the combination produced the Falcons' best season in 31 years.

For leading Kalani to an 11-0 regular-season record in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's Eastern Division, Miyashiro was named Player of the Year and Lee was Coach of the Year in a vote of division coaches.

Miyashiro, a 5-foot-7 outside hitter, displayed outstanding all-around skills that ranged from hitting, blocking, serving, passing and especially defense.

She is joined on the OIA East All-Star first team by teammate Marissa Okamoto, a 5-foot-8 senior setter.

Moanalua and Roosevelt also placed two players on the first team. Moanalua had senior outside hitter Kepua Lee and junior outside hitter Danie Hout, and Roosevelt was represented by senior middle blocker Melissa Aki and senior back row specialist Erin Fujimoto.

The other two players making the first team are Farrington senior Sunshine Misa-Uli and Kahuku senior Mona Ale.

Lee was cited for leading Kalani unscathed through a brutal schedule. All four OIA semifinalists came from the East.

OIA WEST BOYS

Puna Neumann helped Mililani to division title

Puna Neumann helped the Trojans to a 10-0 record during the regular season. Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

"Hello ... Neumann."

Mililani opponents probably hated saying that as much as Jerry Seinfeld, considering the problems Puna Neumann gave them.

Neumann, a 5-foot-9 senior middle blocker, bugged opponents in every facet and helped the Trojans go 10-0 in the regular season and win the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Western Division championship.

The season was capped by Neumann being named OIA West Player of the Year.

Neumann is joined on the OIA West All-Star first team by teammates Brandon Caban and Aaron Fujimoto. Caban is a 5-8 senior setter, and Fujimoto is a 5-11 senior outside hitter.

Others named to the first team are Waialua junior James Dela Pe–a, Leilehua junior Edward Garcia, Pearl City senior Michael Hardy, Nanakuli senior Alan Kalahiki-Pilialoha and Campbell senior Taetuli Tafai.

Mililani's Kauanoe Eldredge was named Coach of the Year for the second time in three years.

OIA WEST GIRLS

Waipahu's Lauifi excelled in dual role

Waipahu senior Tanya Lauifi played the odd combination of middle blocker/setter. Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

Middle blocker/setter is not a combination seen on many volleyball rosters.

But that's what was seen beside Waipahu's Tanya Lauifi's name this season, as the 5-foot-8 senior had to fill both important and vastly different roles for the Marauders.

She did it so well, she was named Player of the Year in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's Western Division.

"She was a real consistent all-around player," Kapolei coach Naidah Gamurot said. "She had to fill in when their setter was out, and she was always positive. She was a team player."

'Aiea and Kapolei each placed two players on the OIA West All-Star first team. 'Aiea had sophomore Lelani Klemen-Maeva and senior Jackie Warlick, and Kapolei was represented by junior Janell Taituave and senior Tiarre Tenorio.

Others making the first team are Nanakuli senior Kaena Apana, Leilehua senior Pikake Nutter-Gaudet and Pearl City senior Tina Questal.

Kapolei's Gamurot was named Coach of the Year.

OIA EAST BOYS

Kalaheo's Wilhoite picks up another honor

Kalaheo senior Sam Wilhoite also was an all-star basketball player last season. Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

The Kalaheo boys volleyball program is getting pretty good mileage out of the school's basketball team.

For the second time in three years, a Mustangs basketball star was named Player of the Year in O'ahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division volleyball.

In 2001 it was current University of Hawai'i football defensive lineman Ikaka Alama-Francis, and this year it's basketball all-star Sam Wilhoite, a 6-foot-7 senior outside hitter/middle blocker.

Wilhoite helped Kalaheo to an 8-1 regular-season record and a tie with Kahuku for the OIA East championship. He is joined on the East All-Star first team by teammate Christopher Tumaneng, a 5-8 sophomore setter.

Castle also placed two players on the first team, outside hitter Alika DeRego and back row specialist Shaun Simao.

Others named to the first team are Kahuku's Brandon Carr, McKinley's Robert Holder, Moanalua's Harryson Nicholas and Kaimuki's Dexter Tautofi.

Kahuku's Howard Kaulula'au was named Coach of the Year.