Girls Volleyball Heads to States

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter

After playing four matches in four days on Maui last weekend at the Maui Interscholastic League Division II Championships, the Molokai High Girls Volleyball team earned their place at the State Championships this week. 

The third-seeded Lady Farmers started the MIL tournament with a three-set win over number six St. Anthony, winning 25-20, 25-7 and 25-6. They then had to face the number two seed Hana Dragons in the semi-finals and won in four sets 25-15, 25-21, 20-25 and 25-7. That set up a chance to win the tournament on Friday night against MIL DII GVB powerhouse and number one seed, Seabury Hall. The Spartans won the regular season title and prevailed against the Lady Farmers in three sets 25-20, 25-19 and 25-17. The Spartans will be a third seed in this week’s state championships. They will play the winner of Le Jardin and Kalaheo on Thursday night. 

That set up a huge match with the Lady Dragons on Saturday morning, with the winner headed to states. Both teams played a good match and Hana jumped out to a 2-0 set lead, but the Lady Farmers did not give up. Head coach Mahea Rawlins and her staff kept their players positive and led by seniors Lia-Chae Meyer and Jordyn McCutcheon, Molokai rallied to win in five sets, 22-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-17 and 15-11 to secure a trip to states. 

Rawlins and her staff, parents and supporters were so proud of this year’s team and the future is bright for the Molokai Girls Volleyball program. 

“I’m so happy with my team. They’ve shown their character at its limits,” said Rawlins. “We fought until the end. This team is very closely bonded and works together. Our seniors showed great leadership and helped the underclassmen. Down to the last point they held strong. They stayed calm and pushed through. Our setter Daisci Burrows did awesome in spreading out her sets. I’m so very proud of them. I’d also like to commend on my coaching staff because each one of them had an impact on this team. Mahalo nui to all our parents, school admin, athletics department and community.”

Molokai will face Radford at Kaimuki High School on Oahu in a first round game of the State Championships, which run Wednesday, Dec. 8 to Saturday, Dec. 11.