ISLE FILE
USA volleyball has Aloha spirit
Advertiser News Services
The USA Boys' Youth National Team, with a huge assist from Hawai'i volleyball, opened with two victories at the NORCECA Continental Championships in Mexico City.
Wednesday, the U.S. outlasted Puerto Rico, 14-25, 25-18, 22-25, 25-18, 15-10. It was the first time a USA Boys' Youth Team has beaten Puerto Rico with a bid for a World Championships slot (to be held in 2005) on the line.
Yesterday, the Americans swept Canada, 25-17, 26-24, 28-26, rallying in the final two games.
Kamehameha graduate Adam Tuifagu, who is heading to Missouri Valley College, is Team USA's starting libero. Iolani's Kawika Shoji is the starting setter and captain. Punahou's Spencer McLachlin subbed in toward the end of the Puerto Rico match, scored six points to help turn it around, then started yesterday.
All three play together in one backrow rotation. "It's kinda weird, but kinda cool though," McLachlin said. "I always tell Adam let's get some Hawai'i defense going."
McLachlin had seven points yesterday, with four kills, an ace and two blocks. Shoji added three stuffs and a kill, and thanked the U.S. passers, especially Fuifagu, for making it easy on him.
The U.S. coaching staff includes University of Hawai'i assistant Tino Reyes.
usavolleyball.org contributed to this report
GOLF
Pahoa's Kim clings to share of lead
Pahoa's Kimberly Kim shot a 2-over-par 74 yesterday, but held a share of the lead in the IRI Golf Group Tri-Cities Junior at Pasco, Wash.
Kim, 12, has a two-round total of 1-under 143. Christy Yun, of University Place, Wash., shot 70 to tie Kim at the Sun Willows Golf Course.
"I did not hit the ball as well as yesterday, but my tee shots were pretty good," said Kim, an eighth-grader at Waiakea Intermediate School.
Leilehua High junior Britney Choy is tied for eighth at 71—150.
Kaua'i High senior Cory French is 12 strokes off the lead in a tie for 41st at 74—148 in the boys division.
Mauna Kea stroke play tournament next week
Ko'olau's John Lynch will defend his title at the 30th annual Mauna Kea Resort Stroke Play Championship — an Aloha Section PGA major — runs Monday to Wednesday at Mauna Kea Resort.
Lynch shot 3-under-par 213 last year to win by three over Ko Olina's Kevin Carll.
This year's field includes Ron Castillo Jr., Andrew Feldmann, Kevin Hayashi, Brendan Moynahan, and Brian and Craig Sasada.
Larry Stubblefield defended his 2002 senior championship last year, winning by eight strokes. He is playing this year in a senior flight that includes Rodney Acia, Steven Ho'okano, Mike Iyoki and Ron Kia'aina Jr.
The total purse is $21,500. The three tournament rounds start at 7 a.m.
BASKETBALL
BYUH loses goodwill game in China, 80-71
The Ji Ling Tigers, one of China's top provincial basketball teams, defeated Brigham Young-Hawai'i, 80-71, Tuesday in Tayuan, China.
BYUH senior Jake Chrisman scored 20 points before fouling out 90 seconds into the third quarter.
