WAIMEA — After dropping the previous two matches, 91直播 Preparatory Academy boys volleyball got back on track Thursday night at home.
Squared up against fellow west-side opponent Makua Lani Christian Academy, Ka Makani played connected from the first serve to the last — handling the visiting Lions in straight sets inside Castle Gymnasium.
“Super happy,” HPA head coach Daena Craven said of the boys’ bounce-back victory. “We got a little off track because of spring break, but I’m super happy with how we’ve been practicing (lately). They did what we have asked.”
Ka Makani started the match firing off on all cylinders, which was spearheaded by senior Vasco Freitas’ strong serving to begin the night. Thanks to Freitas’ services, HPA got off to a big 13-3 lead, which set the tone for the remainder of the frame. Ka Makani won the set 25-10.
Senior Kanoa Kekuewa had strong serving in the second set, and the red and white began to play more connected with their passing to set up shots at the net. The process began to overwhelm Makua Lani, and the score quickly ballooned — winning the set in even more dominant fashion, 25-6.
The Lions showed more fight in the final frame, but HPA was able to fend off the late-match surge and close the match, winning the set 25-19.
HPA improved to 2-2 in the early season, while Makua Lani dropped to 0-3.
Ka Makani, which won last season’s BIIF Division-II title after winning eight straight matches, has several returners to the 2026 team — including nine seniors. Craven believes having continuity and veteran leadership will be an advantage for the team and its goals of repeating as island champs this season.
“Many of them have together for four years; they’re a special group,” she added.
But like any team, HPA is still figuring out the kinks and ironing out rotations and substitutions in the early season. With many players coming from different previous winter sports, Craven and her staff are trying to get the boys in full-volleyball mode as the season picks up.
“They’re a group of really smart athletes,” Craven said. “We have soccer players, basketball players, paddlers…they all come from different places and activities. Now, we’re trying to transition into becoming a volleyball team.”
In order to keep riding the momentum off of this win, Craven’s solution was simple.
“We need to come to practice every day and just practice really hard,” she said. “We need to take advantage of the time we have. We need to commit to putting in the time and working hard.”
Ka Makani will have a quick turnaround, set to face Honoka‘a at 10 a.m. this morning inside Castle Gymnasium. The match will serve as a quick rematch, as HPA handled the Dragons in four sets in its Feb. 24 season opener.
The Lions next host Paliku on Tuesday at Old Kona Airport.
Other scores
• 3/26: Kea‘au 3, Kealakehe 0 — 25-17, 25-22, 25-23
• 3/24: Waiakea 3, Hilo 1 — 29-27, 25-21, 21-25, 25-16
• 3/24: Kohala 3, MLCA 0 — 25-6, 25-14 and 25-13
