Volleyball Tournament a Success for All

“This is so much fun,” Auntie Judy said after watching an extended play full of bloopers. Her daughter’s team ended up losing the point, but the whole team laughed like children, recomposed themselves and kept on playing.

In the end the string of games may have taken a toll on Soljah, as they lost the final game to Us. After the game, still smiling, Caparida-Schnakenberg joked saying she could already tell her body would be sore the next day.

Each participant in the tournament paid a $10 entry fee that goes toward the MHS girls varsity program. Although attendance was free, the public also chipped in money by purchasing raffle tickets. Prizes included gas, supermarket vouchers and, in true Molokai style, a few watermelons.

Besides raising money for the team’s travels statewide, the event gave the girls an opportunity to gain experience. “Six of the girls have never competed in a live tournament,” said MHS girls volleyball head coach Matthew Helm.

Helm is still choosing the girls who will travel to Kauai to play in the Kauai Challenge tournament August 8-12. The next stop after Kauai will be the Iolani Classic Invitational held August 16-19, on Oahu. After these two pre-season tournaments, the season will kick off at the end of August. Helm asked the public to support the team whenever possible by attending the games.