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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 11:54 a.m., Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Preps: No. 6 Seabury Hall finishes MIL season unbeaten

By Mary Beth Bishop
The Maui News

PUKALANI, Maui — In an interdivision matchup of two state-ranked Maui Interscholastic League girls volleyball teams, Seabury Hall came out on top with a three-game victory over Kamehameha-Maui last night at the Warriors' gym.

The Spartans, ranked sixth in the Advertiser's poll, won 25-18, 25-23, 25-20 to finish a perfect 10-0 in their regular season.

''We're seniors and we've been starting since we were freshman and now the five of us (starters) are back up here as seniors, defending our season with 10 wins and zero losses and it's been really great,'' said outside hitter Alex Bolduc to The Maui News, who finished the night with 10 kills and six digs.

''Kamehameha's always been our big competition and they're such a good team, and it was just a really eye-opening experience to know that it was our last game.''

Each game was tight, and the roar from the packed gymnasium made for an even more intense atmosphere, but the Spartans didn't let that get to them.

''We pushed hard through everything and we played every point,'' said Seabury outside hitter Kaimi Rocha, who had a game-high 12 kills along with 19 digs and an ace.

Seabury Hall's Yacine Meyer also had seven kills, along with 22 digs and an ace.

Kayla-Al Kaluau had 21 digs for the No. 8 Warriors, and Kelsey Awai contributed another 19, while Teilissa Tua had seven.

Kamehameha-Maui took an early lead in the first game, but the Warriors (8-1) stalled after back-to-back unforced errors.

''(Kamehameha) came out pretty strong, Dreanne (Shaw) was putting balls down — we made a couple of adjustments on defense and started getting some more blocks, which was great,'' said Spartans coach Scottie Zucco. ''Tonight they all kind of stepped up, whether it was with their offense or defense.''

Unforced errors would eventually be the undoing of the Warriors, who finished with 59.

''We basically stunk it up,'' said Kamehameha coach Bala Spencer.

''We had 20 unforced errors in the first game, 19 in the second and 20 in the third. They're either overthinking or not thinking enough, and they're not relaxing and just playing.''

But it wasn't for lack of trying, he added.

''The effort's there, they're trying their best but we're just not focused and concentrating on executing and doing what we need to do.''

The Spartans jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the second game, but the Warriors battled back, eventually tying the score at 15-15, but once again, errors and a few well-placed spikes by Bolduc put the Spartans ahead.

''I went into the match with butterflies and I was really anxious to start playing, but once we got out there, we really play like we're best friends because most of us are and we just went out there and had a lot fun,'' Bolduc said.

Seabury Hall's Anuhea Rilveria finished with 14 assists, two aces and six digs, while setter Keana Cramer contributed another 20 assists and an ace.

''I think our setters are doing a fantastic job,'' Zucco said. ''We have a senior setter (Rilveria) who's leading the way with all kinds of good leadership for our younger setter (Cramer).

''It's a great combination.''

Zucco also noted that Seabury's Monday night victory over King Kekaulike served as a buffer to yesterday's match, keeping the Spartans from looking ahead.

''Fortunately, the schedule put back-to-back games and it was great, actually,'' he said. ''I know the girls would have been worried for weeks if we didn't have that game right before, but they only had one night where they really couldn't sleep. But I'm just really proud of the girls.''

For more Maui news, click here.