Knights To Host Thompson, Anuenue In Home VB Games
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usThe prevailing theme of the Castle girls volleyball program in the early weeks of the season has been “to finish,” according to second-year head coach Brannon Bajet.
“A lot of times we tend to be lax during a game,” admitted Bajet, whose Knights opened their OIA White Conference slate with consecutive victories over Nanakuli, Waialua and Anuenue. “It’s sort of our downfall. We have to be able to stay strong throughout a game.”
A roster with a unique blend of veterans and underclassmen has undoubtedly spawned inconsistency, but Bajet has seen his team’s cohesiveness grow with each practice.
“They’re all athletic, they’re well-balanced and they all contribute to us,” he said of his roster, which includes four seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and a freshman. “Right now, our team chemistry is coming around. Some of the girls have also played in outside (club) leagues, and they’re using that to their own advantage. They all want to play at a higher level.”
The Knights also are adjusting to life without Kelsie Bajet, the coach’s younger sister, who completed her eligibility last November, and who is currently a starter at Polk College in Lakeland, Fla. She was a First Team All-Conference selection in 2007 and a team leader.
In her absence, senior outside hitter Osana Aukuso has emerged as the “coach on the floor,” according to Bajet. “She’s never been put in the spot of having to be a leader before, and that’s one of her challenges this year. We had a good talk about her becoming a leader (before the season) and expressing herself, playing-wise. So far, so good.
“Her strength is her court presence,” he added of Aukuso, who was selected as a Second Team All Star by conference coaches last season. “She has a good work ethic, and sometimes she’s a gamer more than anything else. She turns it up (on game night).”
The Knights also feature seniors in defensive specialist/libero Hi’ilei Haru, middle blocker Martella Malufau and outside hitter/setter Jeanise Royos.
“(Haru’s) strength is her ability to move about the court, and she’s also one who sacrifices her body on every single play. Martella helps bring the team together. She calms people down. Jeanise is a hard worker.”
Royos and Haru both were named to the White Conference’s Honorable Mention team in 2007.
Malina Kekahuna, Jaylene Royos, Tiara Kalopodes, Brittany Lane, Malie Garcia, Joshell Lilio and Erika Jarrett round out the team.
The Knights return to action this week with key home games against Thompson Academy at 6 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. Saturday versus Anuenue, followed by games with Waipahu (Sept. 24, away), Kaiser (Sept. 27, home), Kaimuki (Oct.1, away; Oct. 8, home) and Kapolei (Oct. 2, home).
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