Seabury Hall hosts inaugural Steve Colflesh Classic girls volleyball tournament
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Seabury Hall played host to the inaugural Steve Colflesh Classic girls volleyball preseason tournament last weekend, bringing nine teams together for two days of preseason competition.
The teams that faced off Aug. 13-14 included Seabury Hall, Baldwin and King Kekaulike on Maui; Chatsworth Charter High School and University of San Francisco High School in California; and Hanalani, Maryknoll, Mililani and Le Jardin Academy from Oahu.
The tournament was created to honor Steve Colflesh, Seabury Hall's former athletic director whose leadership helped shape the school's athletic program for more than 30 years.
Steve Colflesh addresses student-athletes and coaches during the tournament's welcome lūʻau at Seabury Hall on Aug. 12. Bryan Berkowitz/Seabury Hall
Throughout his career, Colflesh emphasized that the value of athletics extends beyond wins, focusing on the lessons learned, relationships built and memories created through competition.
The preseason tournament was designed to provide a high level of competition, while creating opportunities for student-athletes, coaches and their families.
Seabury Hall's current athletic director, Yacine "Yaya" Meyer, played for Colflesh during her time as a Spartan. Now leading the athletic program he helped build, Meyer said she is grateful for the opportunity to host this tournament.
"Bringing this caliber of competition and play to our Maui community was exciting and fun to watch," said Meyer. "Having the opportunity to honor Coach Colflesh and recognize the lasting impact he has made on our Seabury Hall community as a longtime athletic director was truly memorable."
San Francisco University High School took home the tournament title, with Maryknoll finishing runner-up.
Spartans girls volleyball coach Lecca Roberts said hosting the tournament was a huge accomplishment and an opportunity to showcase the school's volleyball program, as well as set a competitive tone early on, on Seabury Hall's home court.
Seabury Hall senior Destiny Keomaka-Wood sets the ball during a match against Maryknoll School during Day 1 of the Steve Colflesh Classic. Bryan Berkowitz/Seabury Hall
This season, Seabury Hall returns a lineup full of powerhouse hitters, including Dillon McLellan, Milaniakai Padilla, Francesca Scapolo and Danielle Myers, along with setter Destiny Keomaka, and libero Tulsi Erlemann.
Coach Roberts believes the additions of freshman Teegan Ibara and sophomore(s)? Malu Abrantes and Kamalei Stewart will aid the team, which won the Maui Interscholastic League Division II crown and finished second at the state championship.
"Versatility is our strength," Roberts said of this year's team. "We have a lot of puzzle pieces that can move around based on our opponents. Serving under pressure is a strength that still needs work, but is going to be a big plus for us as the season goes on."
Roberts said learning how to navigate early adversity was the team's biggest takeaway from last weekend's tournament. Facing high-caliber opponents forced the Spartans to step into new roles, adapt under pressure and rally during close sets.
"Battling a variety of play styles exposed our strengths and weaknesses early, giving us a clear playbook for what to refine in practice and as a team as we move forward," said Roberts, who added that "mistakes are just feedback,"
Roberts said the Spartans are working on maintaining high-pressure serve consistency, minimizing unforced errors during long rallies, improving their off-ball movement and tightening up their defense.
"We need to bring high intensity and discipline to every practice, not just game days,” Roberts said. "Staying consistent with our effort, executing our game plan under pressure, and holding each other accountable every time we step on the court will be key. We also need to continue to build trust with each other. We have a great starting point, but we know we have a journey ahead of us that we are ready for."