Posted on: Wednesday, March 30, 2005

ISLE FILE
Zimet leads Kailua team to volleyball title

Advertiser Staff

Led by tournament most valuable player Eyal Zimet, the Kailua Volleyball Club white team won the men's open division of the 48th annual Haili Men's Invitational Volleyball Tournament last week in Hilo.

There were 180 teams participating in the tournament.

Zimet, a former University of Hawai'i men's volleyball player, was selected to the all-tournament team with Delano Thomas (Kailua Volleyball Club, white team), Kimo Tuyay (Kailua Volleyball Club, white team), Gavin Cook (Kailua Volleyball Club, blue team), Kamu Wilhelm (Kailua Volleyball Club, white team), Josh Day (Big Island Volleyball Association), and Pono Kahale (Ethnic).

Former University of Hawai'i women's volleyball player Jennifer Carey led her Rusty Wahine team to the women's open division title. Carey was named the MVP.

Six players named to the women's all-tournament were: Melissa Villaroman (Rusty Wahine), Pele Baker (Maunalani), Valasi Sepulona (Maunalani), Heidi Ilustre (Rusty Wahine), Poli Olevao (Na Hulali) and Joan Lili'o-White (Sawaiian). See more results in For The Record, Page D4.

Rugby

Kopra on U-19 squad

Hawai'i Preparatory Academy senior Michael Kopra has been selected to play on the USA Rugby Under-19 national team, which competes in April at the World Cup in Durban, South Africa.

Kopra is the first and only Hawai'i player on the 26-member team, and will start at fullback for the USA Eagles in jersey number 15.

"It's a great honor for me to represent our island, state, and country in the World Cup," said Kopra, who also competed in the Hawai'i high school playoffs in both soccer and football this year.

The USA Eagles are in Pool B in the five-game championship. The team plays Paraguay on Friday, Namibia on Tuesday, and Tonga on April 9. Once pool play is completed, teams will be seeded and will play a minimum of two more matches on April 13 and 17.