Championship action got underway on Thursday, October 8 at the Oahu Interscholastic Association Girls Volleyball Red Division Playoffs. Matches took place at Farrington and Mililani where eight teams played their hearts out to advance.

Under the format where a team must win three games to move on, Roosevelt easily defeated Radford 25-18, 25-19 and 25-21, to open tournament play at Farrington.

“This was an exciting victory for us,” senior team captain Vi Kolo said. “We stayed positive and dug deep to come out with the win.”

The Rough Riders got off to a fast 7-1 start in the opening set before Radford finally got its motor started and tied it at 9-9. The Rams stayed close for a short time before Roosevelt went an 11-4 run to capture the first game. Roosevelt continued to play impressive volleyball in the second set cruising behind a 14-7 run midway in the set, but then had to hold off a comeback attempt by Roosevelt at the end.

Set three was a little more difficult for Roosevelt as Radford begin to find a groove by controlling the tempo of the game. Eventually Roosevelt slowly got its offense rolling again and managed to sweep Radford with a strong finish to move on in the tournament.

“Our team had to really push hard,” junior team captain Kanoe Pupuhi said. “Radford played us tough and we had to fight for every point.”

Pupuhi who led Roosevelt with 14 kills says she is looking forward to playing more volleyball this season. “This is the time of the season where it’s do or die. You must win if you want to continue on playing,” she said.”

For Kolo playing for the Rough Riders is all she knows. “Before coming to Roosevelt I’ve never played volleyball. During my sophomore year I decided to try out for the team. Playing volleyball was something new for me and it was a sport I had always dreamed of played. Now it’s my senior year and I truly don’t want the season to end.”   “As long as our team stays positive and plays the best volleyball that we can, I will be happy,” Kolo added.

Pupuhi believes Roosevelt can go a long way in the tournament. “I understand how Kolo feels. This is her last season so she’s playing for pride (and) to keep the uniform of Roosevelt on.”

“But I’m playing for pride too,” Pupuhi commented. She says she started playing volleyball because she was inspired by her mother and older sister. “I can remember watching my mom and sister played. I want to win to let them know that I appreciate the both of them teaching me how to play.”

Pupuhi says her beginning days of playing volleyball was challenging. “When I first started playing in the Manoa recreation league I barely knew what I was doing. Now I’m a much better player. Hopefully I can provide the leadership our team needs to advance far into the tournament and reach states.”

Next up for Roosevelt is East Red Division number one seed Moanalua in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, October 13 at the Menehunes’ home court. All future matches in the tournament will now be played under a double –elimination format. Radford seasons ends at 5-8 in league play.

In other tournament action at Farrington’s Richard Kitamura Fieldhouse, Leilehua dropped three straight to Farrington 25-8, 25-16 and 25-12. Senior Brady Vergado-Duclayan led the Governors with 28 assists and five kills. In Tuesday’s quarterfinals, Farrington will battle Pearl City at Moanalua.