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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, November 30, 2008

Punahou's Keanini was class of ILH

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Anuhea Keanini of Punahou was solid at hitter and setter.

ADVERTISER LIBRARY PHOTO | November 1, 2008

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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As Hawai'i's lone returning 2007 Advertiser All-State first-team hitter, Punahou's Anuhea Keanini established herself as the big gun in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu this season.

But she also split her time at setter and helped the Buffanblu's young attackers develop into threats in their own right.

Keanini, a 5-foot-6 senior, was recognized for her all-around talents by being named ILH Division I Player of the Year after a recent vote of league coaches.

Keanini was especially outstanding in the regular season's first round, when she led Punahou to crucial road victories over Hawai'i Baptist, 'Iolani and Kamehameha.

She had 14 kills and 12 digs in a 21-25, 25-16, 26-24 victory at Kamehameha on Oct. 14 to help the Buffanblu win the ILH's first-round title and automatic state tournament berth that went with it.

Keanini is joined on the Division I all-star first team by fellow Buffanblu Courtney Lelepali and Juliana Behrens, 'Iolani's Chelsea Hardin, I'ishah Keli'ikoa and Mahina Haina, and Kamehameha's Caitlin Andrade and Whitney Viveiros.

Lelepali, a 5-7 senior libero, moved to the back row when Punahou suffered injuries and steadied the Buffanblu defense. Behrens, a 5-11 middle blocker, was an anchor at the net while Keanini was in at setter.

Hardin (5-11 senior outside hitter/middle blocker), Keli'ikoa (6-foot senior middle) and Haina (5-11 junior outside hitter/middle) helped the Raiders present one of the state's most formidable front lines.

Andrade, a 5-9 senior setter, was brilliant in directing a Warriors offense that had mostly new attackers. Viveiros, a 5-10 senior outside hitter, was one of those first-year starters who gained consistency throughout the season. The pair, along with Coach of the Year Chris Blake, helped Kamehameha win a fourth straight league championship.

In ILH Division II, Word of Life senior Crystal Powell was named Player of the Year.

Powell, a 5-11 middle blocker/outside hitter, was a force at the net in helping the Firebrands take second place and earn a state tournament berth.

She is joined on the ILH DII all-star first team by fellow Firebrands Kainoa Ocasek (sophomore outside hitter) and Phoibe Fetu (junior setter), Hawai'i Baptist's Sarah Palmer (junior outside hitter), C'era Oliveira (junior outside hitter) and Kelly Chang (senior libero), University High's Quinn Eharis (sophomore middle blocker), and St. Andrew's' Ayesha Hein (junior middle blocker).

Palmer, Oliveira and Chang helped the Eagles win the DII championship.

Word of Life's LeeAnn Satele and UHS's Walt Quitan shared Coach of the Year honors.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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