Posted on: Thursday, October 23, 2003

Word of Life gains volleyball playoffs

Advertiser Staff

The Word of Life girls volleyball team, led by Careena Onosai, qualified for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship round in its first year of varsity competition.

The Firebrands, coached by former Rainbow Wahine LeeAnn (Pestana) Satele, finished in a four-way tie for fifth after the ILH regular season. They defeated Maryknoll Monday and Mid-Pacific Tuesday to clinch the berth.

Onosai, daughter of former University of Hawai'i football player Joe, had 27 kills against Maryknoll and 19 against Mid-Pacific.

Careena, a sophomore, has two sisters on the team — Talia, a senior, and Shayna, the team's only freshman.

"I'm extremely proud of all of these girls, especially in their character that they've developed over the season and in this first season," said Satele, who is married to former UH football player Alvis.

"At the beginning of the season, we wanted to be known as a hard-working team and I think we've accomplished that."

Satele said setter Daress Wright also was a major contributor to the victories. Wright had 60 assists and two key solo blocks against Maryknoll and 65 assists and another solo block against MPI.

"We needed everyone to accomplish what we did," Satele said.

Word of Life, which practices at Community Church of Honolulu in Nu'uanu and Kawaiaha'o gym, plays Iolani today at 4:30 p.m. at Sacred Hearts. Regular-season champion Punahou (13-0) has a bye. The top three ILH teams qualify for the state tournament.