Lady Farmers Host Volleyball Tournament

Photo by Rick Schonely

The Lady Farmers Volleyball team will host the Maui Interscholastic League Division II Girls Volleyball Championships this week at The Barn in Ho’olehua. Molokai finished the season as the number two seed with a 10-2 record after winning two matches last week over Haleakala Waldorf. The Lady Farmers won both nights in three sets. Thursday’s score was 25-14, 25-19 and 15-17. On Friday, it was another three-set win 25-14, 25-16 and 25-15.

Last Thursday night was senior night, and six seniors were honored: Kawohi Duvachelle, Kaitlin DeRouin, Taye Mowat, Stasia Kaahanui, Mary Rose Ringor and Mary Grace Ringor.

“Overall it has been a great season and senior night was over the top,” said Head Coach Mahea Rawlins. “The parents of seniors showed their love for their daughters and so did our underclassmen players, they did an awesome job in appreciating our seniors.”

Senior Captain Taye Mowat was moved by the honor.

“I loved our senior night decorations and the program the girls conducted for us and I’m so thankful for my family and coaches who have supported me through the years,” she said.

Hosting the end of the year tournament is a big plus for the Lady Farmers. Seabury (11-1) has already clinched one of the two state tournament berths with the regular season championship but all the teams will now play for that second state tournament spot. Molokai gave Seabury its only loss early in the season at The Barn.

Rawlins knows it will be big games coming up.

“Now going into the MIL tourney we need to play to the best of our ability which I believe my team is capable of doing,” she said. “Each player needs to bring their full potential and teamwork and consistency is the key. Like I say to our team, ‘we is greater than me.’ I have faith in our team that we will do great.”

Photo by Rick Schonely

Mowat is happy to have the tournament at home.

“I feel honored and proud to be hosting the MIL tournament at home this year but we’re not going to take any losses in our own home, so I know we’re going to have to push and work hard for practice to carry us into taking the MIL title,” said the senior.

The tournament starts Wednesday with Hana taking on Lanai in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m. at The Barn. Haleakala Waldorf plays St. Anthony in the other quarterfinal tonight on Maui. Molokai will play in the semifinal’s Thursday night at 7 p.m. against the winner of Wednesday’s Hana/Lanai game. Seabury will play the winner of Waldorf/St. Anthony Thursday at 5 p.m. in the other semifinal. A big crowd is expected for all games and the concession will be open so come enjoy some awesome MIL girls’ volleyball on Molokai.

“I’m extremely proud of my teammates, we’ve all improved so much over the season and we’ve learned how to work as a team and we’ve created a sister like bond,” said Mowat. “Our goal was to have an undefeated season, but we fell short a couple games, but I believe that my team and I will bounce back for the MIL tournament.”