2005 has been quite a comeback year for the Kaimuki High School girls volleyball team. They have come a long way from just last season, using hard work and dedication as a tool for improvement.

This time last year, the KHS girls volleyball team win-loss record stood at 3-7. Currently the team has just one loss to nine wins. The team is tied for first with Kaiser High School in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II.

It took the girls a lot of hard work to be where they are. Coaches and players both stepped up their game this season to be more successful. It's a whole team effort that consists of the coaches as well as players.

"This year our coaches really believed in us and our team got stronger mentally and physically" said senior Lata Makisi.

According to Makisi, practices became more brutal and challenging as the coaches buckled down on discipline and technique. The team has come to loath four simple words: Get on the green. As soon as the coach shouts that, all the girls know to line up in the green boundary lines. It's time to run.

"No one wants to hear it" said Makisi. "Getting on the Green" and other training strategies seem to really motivate the team to work harder and not to slack off. Makisi added that those four simple words are always in the back of their minds at practice and during the game. It helps them to stay on top of their game and to do better.

Everyone should keep an eye on the KHS Varsity and Junior Varsity volleyball teams as they continue to play hard and fight their way through the OIA season and hopefully through the playoffs as well.

This comeback season will prove that hard work and a little faith can take you far. Who said a team that finished close to last place last year can't come back and show what they've dedicated their summer time to?