The defending champions Lady Lunas opened up their MIL
season with a tough 14-10 win over Kamehameha Schools Maui at the Kihei Aquatic
Center.
The Lunas had won 5 straight MIL titles and overall 50
consecutive matches – third in MIL history, and second actively only to the
Lady Lunas’ basketball team’s current streak of 73 straight (Kamehameha Maui’s
girls volleyball team has the second longest streak historically). However, the
offseason saw major changes to the program. Gone from the team is long-time coach
Will Hutchison, who moved on to the mainland to coach 14U club water polo in
San Diego. Also gone were NINE seniors who contributed major minutes and
experience in racking up wins the previous four years, including two-time MIL
Player of the Year and Lunas’ career scoring leader Gina Bella Mataafa, now
playing for Notre Dame College in Ohio; as well as Kamaehu Alboro, Kirsten
Fuller, Ciara Allen, Malia Moore, Jessye Acker, Dezirea Acker, Taylor Pante and
Dalena Duong.
Despite the success of past seasons, this year was
looking to be a rebuilding one.
New coach Bradley Mason now leads a team of young and
relatively inexperienced players into the MIL season looking to defend their
title and consecutive win streak. Leading the way are senior co-captains Bela
Pinto and Kanoelani Dodd, and fellow seniors Samantha Feyen, Ashley Probst,
Leilani Miranda and newbie Amanda Arakawa. The talented junior class is led by
Bridget Joy, Hanalore Rolfing, Mahea Kaaihue-Falahee and Courtney Galarita.
Sophomore returnees are also blessed with great potential in Sierra Lerback,
who looks to fill the void as goalie left behind by Mataafa and Allen; and tough-nosed players Kim Yap and Cherelle
Freitas. Maile Altier and Siera Olvera look to make the transition from
outstanding soccer players to water polo. Finally, the freshmen class includes
Addi Johnson, Sophia Fredy, Kylie Keale-Smith and Kelly Gallagher.
The Lady Lunas found themselves down early against the
Warriors. The officials seem to be calling it a lot tighter this year and many
calls were going against the Lunas, who are known to play a physical brand of
water polo. Several warnings were also issued against Coach Mason and the
bench, and even an overzealous (apparently) Warrior fan. It seems that a
certain referee was on a power trip. Then again, I admit I am not familiar with
the rules of water polo nor am I privy to preseason meetings with MIL water
polo officials and coaches who may have indicated a policy going into the
season of cleaning up play or calling more fouls for aggressive play. Whatever
the reason, as a casual fan new to the sport, I found the officiating
distracting and annoying.
Fortunately, the Lunas pulled out their 51st
consecutive victory thanks in part to Bridget Joy, who looks to be the primary
offensive weapon this season.
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| Bridget Joy |
For Maui News article, click here.
For more photos, click here.
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