Lahaina Volleyball Club players celebrate after their win in Phoenix. Pictured (from left) are: front — Elizabeth Ganer; middle row — Taylor Ganer, Sherlin Ravida, Aulani Casco Deleon and Mahealani Criste; back row — Coach Trixy Nuesca Ganer, Ashley Ganer (captain), Marley Calipini, Jaylani Fujita, Willa Varquez and Nicole Turo (captain).

LAHAINA – It has long been a dream for Trixy Nuesca Ganer to form a youth volleyball club here on the West Side. That longing became a reality in December of 2016, when she and her family formed the Lahaina Volleyball Club.

“These kids here have a true passion for the game, but all the clubs are in other parts of Maui, so we decided to form a program here in Lahaina,” said Nuesca Ganer last week.

“We knew that there is a lot of talent here and that the kids just needed some guidance, some coaching, to get on the right track in this game. We wanted to form a feeder program up to the high school as well.”

After less than a year in motion, it looks like the LVB is definitely gaining some traction.

Led by Nuesca Ganer in the director and head coach position, along with Board Members Charmaine Nuesca Ganer (that’s mom) and Hano Ganer (that’s dad), as well as assistant coaches Janice Phillips and Benvon Mahiai, the organization has motivated 22 teenagers to participate to form one 14 Girls team and one 16 Girls squad.

The teams played in their first competition in February of this year at the Moku O Keawe Regional Tournament, placing second in both divisions. LVB then set its sights on the highly regarded Arizona Festival in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 29 to July 2, which attracts some of the top youth volleyball clubs in the Southwest states.

According to Coach Trixy, the results at Phoenix were fantastic. The LVB 16 Girls swept their opponents in the Century Division to bring home the club’s inaugural first place trophy.

“I am so happy with the support of all the families of the players and the passion of the players on and off the court,” she said.

“I am so thankful to my parents and siblings for their support, and to people like Sean Gordon with West Maui Parks and Recreation, who helps us with arranging court time at the Lahaina Civic Center. And, most especially, I gain inspiration from my daughter, Elizabeth, who is always there on the court and at home to support me,” Coach Trixy concluded.