Lady Farmers Volleyball Starts Strong

Photo by Eileen Chao.

The Lady Farmers dominated their home court at the Barn last week against Lanai High, sweeping all three games on both days. On Friday, they scored 25-16, 25-18, 25-19; on Saturday, they scored 25-15, 25-12, 25-20.

“I think we did really good,” said new head coach Mahea Rawlins, who took over after former coach Matt Helm accepted a coaching position at Whitman College in Seattle. “[The girls] worked together and talked it out on the field.”

Shannese Pedro and Taylor Keliihoomalu play solid defense at Friday’s home game against Lanai. Photo by Eileen Chao.

On Friday, junior Taylor Keliihoomalu led scoring for the Lady Farmers with nine kills, three digs and one solo block. Fellow junior Rizpah Torres-Umi topped the team with seven digs.

On Saturday, both Keliihoomalu and sophomore Lehiwa Pedro scored nine kills. Torres-Umi had nine digs.

Rawlins said she hopes the girls continue to keep up their hard work at practice. They currently practice every day after school from 2:30 to 5 p.m., with a few who volunteer to stay afterwards on Tuesdays and Thursdays for an additional hour of individual workouts.

“I’m trying to get the girls to open up, [raise] their self-esteem and basically let them know they can move on to the next level if they keep working hard,” said Rawlins.

The Lady Farmers will next face Maui Prep on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Barn.