Local News

Lanai girls volleyball shows it has the firepower to compete

Lanai girls volleyball opened the season with 10 straight victories before running into perennial Maui Interscholastic League Division II power Seabury Hall.

Back-to-back losses to the Spartans on Oct. 9 and 10 dropped Lanai to 10-2, but did little to diminish coach Kendra-Leah Sabin's confidence in a team she believes has the talent to contend for an MIL championship.

Seabury Hall defeated Lanai 25-13, 25-22, 25-22 in the first matchup. A day later, Lanai took the opening set before the Spartans responded to win 23-25, 25-19, 25-9, 25-10.

For Sabin, the matches provided a measure of where her team stands and what it needs to improve as the season moves toward its championship stretch. Passing stood out as one area that will need to be sharper against top competition.

But Sabin said she has not seen a Lanai team this strong throughout its rotations since her father coached the Pine Lasses to the 1999 MIL championship.

"I am confident we have the ammunition to take Seabury and win against them," Sabin said.

Building camaraderie and trust has also been a priority for Sabin. By emphasizing communication and accountability, she wants her players to understand their roles and support one another on and off the court.

"They are super supportive, they call each other out for constructive criticism without taking it personally and roll with it, taking it as a learning tool," Sabin said.

On the technical side, defense remains a priority. Practices focus heavily on digging and passing, two skills Sabin believes provide the foundation for the rest of Lanai's game.

"We can't have a perfect hit without a perfect pass," Sabin said. "Winning is ultimately a bonus we strive for."

Senior Millie Pavsek sees part of her role as libero as uplifting her teammates and being one of the loudest players on the court. She uses her voice to help keep the team focused and composed.

"I notice that the morale of the team rises, and seeing that impact as a senior and as a player on the court makes me proud," Pavsek said. "When playing against a higher-caliber team, there are moments when communication, encouragement and upliftment are needed more than ever. We support one another, and that support reminds me that I am never alone on the court."

Fellow senior Alina Garbin, a multisport athlete, said competing in different sports has strengthened her ability to adapt, accept coaching and work with different teammates.

"Playing multiple sports has helped me develop different skills that I can bring to volleyball, making me a more versatile player," Garbin said. "It's also taught me the importance of teamwork, communication and pushing myself to get better."

Junior Kamila-Mafi Koloi began playing volleyball in first grade and comes from a family of setters, according to Sabin. The coach described Koloi as the team's "quarterback" because of her role as a setter, her consistency and her mindset during practices and matches.

Koloi is frequently responsible for making quick decisions while also helping keep her teammates together when things are not going their way.

"It's not easy being a setter, because when we are down 20-9, and your team is falling apart, you have to stay strong minded and try to pick everyone up, while trying not to fall yourself too," Koloi said. "I have a lot to work on and I am happy to have an amazing team who we all support each other and lift each other up. We welcome the mistakes and fix them together."

Junior Izabella Bolo described Seabury Hall as a strong team with talented players. During stressful stretches of the matches, she said she tried to remind herself and her teammates of what they were capable of and encouraged them to keep pushing.

"Throughout this past week, playing against Seabury was great," Bolo said. "Winning the first set made the second game so fun, and exciting. As a libero, I had so much fun, and enjoyed every moment. Even though there were some stressful moments, I am still proud of the team for pushing and not giving up."

Freshmen Akilah Sproat and Hauola Moala have also contributed during Lanai's strong start.

Sproat credited the team's seniors with helping her develop as an athlete and teammate and teaching her to keep her head up when the outcome does not go Lanai's way.

"I hope to take what they taught me and become a leader like them," Sproat said.

For Moala, much of the appeal of volleyball comes on defense. Blocking hard-hit balls, keeping plays alive and creating opportunities for her teammates motivate her, particularly against an opponent such as Seabury Hall.

"I enjoy the challenge of reading their hitters, staying focused, and working together as a team to keep the ball off the floor," Moala said.

Lanai, 10-2, is scheduled to play at Hana on Oct. 16 and 17 with the MIL Division II tournament set for Oct. 21-24 at Maui Prep.