Wahine Farmers Score Big At States

Molokai’s girl’s volleyball repeats last year’s achievement.

By Sean Aronson

Following on the heels of their first Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Championship in nearly a decade, the Molokai High School girl’s volleyball team finished fourth at the State Tournament in Honolulu.

It was the second year in a row their season ended with a fourth place. This impressive feat was accomplished without a single senior on the team – all of the players will be back for next year.

“We were shooting for third place to better last years finish, but we just couldn’t get there,” said Head Coach Matt Helm.

The Farmers were a #2 seed going into the tournament based on the strength of the MIL and their success in last year’s tournament.

Helm credits the team’s visualization exercises prior to the State tournament with preparing his girls. He said they spent the week and a half after the MIL practicing lightly and focusing on not being intimidated in Honolulu.

Despite their preparation, Helm said the team came out a little ‘shaky’ in their first game against University High, dropping the first set before recovering and winning in five sets. The next day, the Farmers faced Word of Life and battled hard in each set, but lost in three sets to the eventual State runner-ups.

On the last day of the tournament, the girls played Kailua for third place in U of H’s Stan Sherriff Center. On the big court, the Farmers just barely lost the first set and ultimately succumbed in the second.

But the season was still a major success according to Helm.

As for next year, Helm said, “I want the girls to think about being competitive not only in the MIL, but in the state as well.”

Helm also stressed that the entire team, from coaches to players, grew both on and off the court. “We overcame a number of challenges and are better people, not just athletes,” said Helm.