Posted on: Sunday, March 30, 2003

OIA girls' water polo big winner in debut

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Girls water polo made a splashing debut in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association yesterday, with six games involving 10 teams at three sites.

Roosevelt played two home games and won both, 10-1 over Kalani and 16-2 over Kaimuki. In other games, Kalani defeated Kapolei 16-10, Kaiser beat Moanalua 14-5, Leilehua topped 'Aiea 12-3 and Kahuku defeated Castle 16-2.

Waialua had to forfeit its games against 'Aiea and Castle due to a lack of players.

Despite the forfeits and several lopsided scores, the day proved to be a winner for most participants, many of whom were competing in varsity athletics for the first time.

"A lot of our girls never played a sport before," Kaimuki coach Corey Fellezs said. "We have other girls who came over from volleyball, soccer or paddling. When we first started, most of the girls didn't even know what the game looked like, so we took them to a (University of Hawai'i) game to give them an idea. This was their first real game with an official."

Gina Rae Inoue scored five goals to help the Rough Riders cruise to a victory over the Bulldogs, but the Kaimuki players appeared to enjoy the experience just the same.

"This is a lot more fun than swimming back and forth in a lane," said Bulldogs sophomore Carly Fujiyoshi, who competes in butterfly and freestyle events on the Kaimuki swim team. "There's more teamwork, too, because in swimming you're by yourself and nobody can help you."

Teammate Michelle Magarifuji agreed.

"I came out because it sounded fun, it's something different," said Magarifuji, a sophomore. "It's a lot more fun than swimming. You actually have to be thinking. In swimming, you pretty much just go."

The 11 OIA teams will play an eight-game schedule, with playoffs set for May 7 and 10.

"Our objective this year is just to have the girls learn the game and have fun," said Castle athletic director Richard Haru, the OIA's water polo coordinator. "The main thing is to get the kids interested, and then it can only get better."