Moanalua Stays Unbeaten, Takes Down Kaiser in Three Sets for Third Win of Year

Mar 15, 2023

UH MVB commit Kai Rodriguez (#12) jumps for a serve in the second set on March 13

UH MVB commit Kai Rodriguez (#12) jumps for a serve in the second set on March 13

Moanalua Stays Unbeaten, Takes Down Kaiser in Three Sets for Third Win of Year

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED MAR 14, 2023

MOANALUA — In a battle of a pair of early-season unbeatens, Moanalua Na Menehune swept the Kaiser Cougars in three straight sets, 25-19, 25-13, 25-14.

Moanalua is led by a trio of University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball commits from the class of 2023, but only two of the future ‘Bows played in Monday’s match. 

Justin Todd, the 6’8 outside hitter that also goes by “JT”, sat out Na Menehune’s matchup with the Cougars as a precaution. Luckily for Moanalua, the rest of the team did not miss a beat with Zachary Yewchuk and Kai Rodriguez still taking the court for the home team. 

The opening set of the night looked to be competitive, as Kaiser came out hot to respond to every Na Menehune haymaker early on. The Cougars stayed within striking distance, keeping within three points through most of the set. 

Kaiser made a late push in the action, but Moanalua stymied the Cougars run to pull out a win in the first set, 25-19, using a vicious kill by Yewchuk to end it.

The early action in the evening’s second set looked for another back-and-forth affair, teams trading points back and forth after a quick start by Moanalua. An extended Kai Rodriguez run serving the ball helped Na Menehune create a comfortable lead ahead of the Cougars.

The breathing room provided by Rodriguez allowed for a calm clinch of the second set, 25-13, and moved Moanalua one set win away from a sweep of the night’s action.

Na Menehune wanted to leave no doubt about who would leave with the win, jumping out to an 8-4 lead and extending the lead to 16-7 after another Kai Rodriguez run of dominance.

Moanalua went into the team’s depth to close out action, allowing some of the players on the bench to finish the set as Yewchuk joined Todd at the end of the bench. 

Na Menehune closed out the final set, 25-14, to sweep the action of the night and win the series 3-0 over the Kaiser Cougars. 

Kaiser (2-1) looks to move on from the loss on Wednesday, March 15, when the Cougars return home to host Kahuku.

Moanalua (3-0) will try to stay unbeaten when they play host to Anuenue on Wednesday, March 15. 

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