Girls Varsity Volleyball Falls In Three
by Al Linsky
Anyone interested in watching a blowout? I usually don't like watching blowouts, but after this week, I'm not sure I can take many more nailbiters.
This match was for an automatic entry into the State Championships. Although the Lady Raiders have not historically done well when playing at Kamehameha, I believed we had an excellent chance to win and was looking forward to a great match.
Strangely, the reason I think our volleyball teams (and basketball) have trouble in that gym is the very reason I like it. It has great light. Good for photography, but it does feel really different.
In the first game the Lady Raiders were clicking. Add to that the unusual number of errors from the opposition and the Raiders went out fast to a 9-4 lead. Then to 13-7. The Warriors started to make a run and brought it back to 16-13. The Raiders surged to 21-16, then 23-19. I felt good. The Warriors ran off 6 points in a row to take the first game 25-23. I was in shock. Fortunately, the Lady Raiders weren't.
The Raiders started strong in the second game, rushing to a 9-4 lead, when Chelsea Hardin went up high and came down hard. She was only 10 feet from me but I was blocked by the referee. It looked and sounded awful. After trainer Mike worked on her for about 5 minutes, she limped off the court. I'ishah Keliikoa replaced Chelsea and played well as the Raiders went on to a 25-21 win.
The crucial third game started out well again as the Raiders built a 12-7 lead before Kamehameha's first run brought it all the way to 13-13. Then it was back and forth, 15-15, then to 20-18 for the Warriors. The Raiders couldn't get the lead back and it ended up 25-22. Next game is against Punahou on Tuesday.
