It was a great opening day for a pair of local high schools and one which made the trek to Honolulu for the first time as the Ann Kang Invitational kicked off Thursday in Hawaii. Host school ‘Iolani was one of three teams to post a 3-0 mark, with Punahou and Cornerstone Christian TX also making it out of Day 1 without a loss.
Punahou arguably had the best day of the trio, as the Honolulu school upset Mira Costa CA – which is ranked No. 4 in vballrecruiter.com’s initial Top 50 National High School Rankings. Mira Costa is playing without setter and 5-star Wisconsin commit Charlie Fuerbringer, who is away playing with the U19 USAV squad. Punahou pulled out one of the more dramatic victories Thursday as it clipped Mira Costa in three, 15-25, 27-25, 18-16. Punahou also beat Oaks Christian CA and Baldwin HI to finish 3-0. Baldwin is located on Maui and was able to make it to O’ahu despite the wildfires devastating the island. Punahou, the only team in Pool A at 3-0, also narrowly escaped against Oaks Christian, winning in three, 25-16, 16-25, 16-14.
Cornerstone Christian, which is making its Ann Kang debut, joins Mira Costa as another Top-10 school in the field. Cornerstone opened the season at No. 8 in our Top 50 National Rankings. The San Antonio school finished last season ranked No. 2 overall in the nation. Despite losing three high-level Division 1 players, the program remains strong with 5-star junior outside Megan Fitch (Texas AM) and 4-star senior right side Grace Carroll (Baylor) helping leading the charge. Cornerstone finished off its day with a tight victory over No. 17 Sierra Canyon CA in three, 26-28, 28-26, 15-12.
‘Iolani joined Cornerstone in going 3-0 in Pool B after beating Huntington Beach CA, Kapolei HI and Orange Lutheran CA. ‘Iolani and Cornerstone are not set to play each other however until the final match of pool play on Saturday morning.
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TEAM SPOTLIGHTS
Cornerstone Christian TX: The Warriors were among the top teams in the country last year, winning both Volleypalooza and the Nike TOC Southwest tournaments. Their only loss came to Westminster Christian FL in the final of the Nike TOC Southeast tournament. The school also handed Prestonwood Christian TX – which opens this year ranked No. 1 in the nation – its only loss of the season. The team lost three key pieces in middle Nayeli Gonzalez, setter Taylor Anderson and libero Alyssa Manzitas, but as we stated above does have Fitch and Carroll back among others. Other contributors returning also include junior 3-star setter Kaia Thiele and junior 3-star right side Macey Hughes. Maria Avendano, a senior, was suiting up at a libero to help fill out the lineup, as well as junior 3-star outside Aniya Hall. Hall could be a key piece as she can really help elevate the attack. The Warriors used three players in the middle in seniors Savannah Smith and Olivia Parker and junior Elly Stewart. Thiele was running a 6-2 along with senior setter Natalia Jackson. Cornerstone might not quite be competing for a national championship last season, but with the schedule they are facing it’s not out of the question if they could somehow run the table. The program is not only playing here at Ann Kang, but is also set to travel to both Nike TOC events as well as the Durango Fall Classic, plus another yet-to-be-announced event. Not many schools can match that type of schedule.
Sierra Canyon CA: The biggest loss for the Trailblazers from a season ago was 5-star right side Olivia Babcock, who is at Pitt. They also lost their other outside in Jaida Sione but mostly everyone else returns and that’s good news. The back row is anchored by 4-star libero Lauren Lynch (San Diego). The offense is still directed by 3-star setter Sade Ilawole, and the middle still has a key part in 3-star Hawaii commit Madeline Way. Also back is 3-star Boston College outside Danica Rach. That alone is enough to keep Sierra Canyon very competitive, but there’s more pieces that will play a role this fall. Among them are three newcomers in Halie and Hanna McGinest and Taylor Treahy. Hanna, a freshman, was playing Thursday on Day 1 on the outside and already making an impact. As for her older sister, Halie, the CIF Southern Section is still ruling on whether or not she’ll need to sit out the 30-day period or not. The CIF-SS office has already ruled that Treahy, a 6-4 lefty right side transfer, will need to sit out the 30 days and will be eligible on Sept. 12. No matter what happens with Halie, Sierra Canyon will have both available by then and will add plenty of depth to the roster. As for Thursday, senior Lola Brown was making contributions in the middle, and 6-0 sophomore right side Mia Stewart was making plays in her role too. Like Cornerstone, Sierra Canyon will also be attending the Durango Fall Classic next month.
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DAY 1 SHOW STOPPERS
Keoni Williams SO MB Boswell TX: Boswell went 1-2 on the first day. Williams, a 5-star recruit who helped Skyline 15 Royal to the 15 Open USAV gold medal this summer, was impactful at the net. Boswell struggled passing at times and getting Williams clean looks, but she made up for it with her length and size to still be a factor with her blocking and out-of-system plays.
Rylinn Roberts SO RS Boswell TX: Roberts was another bright spot for Boswell. The sophomore is lanky with a nice arm and was contributing nicely to the offense when called upon.
Kennedy Caton SR S Boswell TX: Caton was showing she can move the ball around and put her hitters in a good spot when in system.
Olivia Foye JR L Huntington Beach CA: Foye – a 3-star Princeton commit – is among the standout liberos in the field. She had a breakout club season starring for Surfside 16 PV Legends and was back at it suting up for the Oilers. She’s a lights-out defender and passer.
Haylee LaFontaine SR OH Huntington Beach CA: LaFontaine – among the beach standouts for the Oilers – is the go-to outside who HB relies on to produce points and help shoulder the load.
Dani Sparks SR S Huntington Beach CA: Sparks – another beach-only player during the club season – did a nice job guiding the attack. She moves well and has a consistent, clean release as well as locating nicely.
Anny Scott FR S Kapolei HI: There weren’t many freshmen making an impact but Scott looks to have a bright future. She is another setter who moves well and gets to the ball, along with showing a nice touch.
Malinah Purcell-Telefoni SR MB Kapolei HI: Purcell-Telefoni was bringing it in the middle like few were. She’s a physical attacker and with Kapolei controlling the ball she was involved plenty with her big arm and was blasting winners on the regular.
Aniya Hall JR OH Cornerstone Christian TX: Hall – a 3-star recruit – could be poised for a big high school campaign. She was one of the featured pieces of the attack and was hyping up her teammates with her big kills she was pounding down.
Megan Fitch JR OH Cornerstone Christian TX: Fitch – a 5-star Texas AM commit – was a force on the outside. She was scoring front and back row in a variety of ways, from tooling blocks to going around them or over them. She was a tough cover no matter what.
Grace Carroll SR RS Cornerstone Christian TX: Carroll – a 4-star Baylor commit – was thundering balls down with her big arm. There were few blockers who could slow her as she too could go right over the top of them.
Sade Ilawole SR S Sierra Canyon CA: Ilawole – a 3-star recruit – helped Sierra Canyon to a 2-1 day after narrowly missing going 3-0 with its close setback to Cornerstone. She’s a quick setter who plays with lots of energy. She did well moving the ball around and getting her hitters involved.
Danica Rach SR OH Sierra Canyon CA: Rach – a 3-star Boston College commit – was back swinging after being only able to play in the back row for City 17 Gold in 17 Open this past summer in Chicago. She’s a threat front and back row and someone who can bring it on the attack.
Lauren Lynch Jr L Sierra Canyon CA: Lynch – a 4-star San Diego commit – is another standout libero in the field and able to control the back row defensively like few can. She’s a smooth passer and defender who always plays under control.
Hanna McGinest FR OH Sierra Canyon CA: McGinest was among the few freshmen who made a big impact on Day 1. She was part of the Mizuno Long Beach 14 Rockstar team which finished tied for fifth in 14 Open this summer and she was showcasing her skills for the Trailblazers in her debut. She jumps well and has a lively arm and it leads to impressive kills.
Madeline Way SR MB Sierra Canyon CA: Way – a 3-star Hawaii recruit – wasn’t playing far from her future college and was shining in the middle. She’s active on both sides and has a hammer for an arm.
Eryn Hiraki SR L ‘Iolani HI: The Raiders went 3-0 in part because of the play of Hiraki in the backrow. She brings a lot of fire and energy and did well with her first touches and helping keep her team in system.
Avery Perreira SR OH ‘Iolani HI: Perreira was another outside who was coming with it on the attack. She was a key part of the Raiders’ attack and was delivering winners from sideline to sideline.
