The team includes (from left): front — Regine Marumi, Aulani Casco, Nicole Turno, Mahealani Criste and Willa Varquez; back row — Taylor Ganer, Ihilani Garcia, Alana Koa, Vaelei Long, Sherlin Ravida and Coach Trixy Nuesca Ganer. Destiny Ah Puck and Grace Takemoto are not pictured.

LAHAINA – This may be a breakthrough season for the Lady Luna volleyball team. After a 30-year drought, the Lahainaluna High School program is on the verge of reaching the Hawaii High School Athletic Association state playoffs.

Fourth-year head coach Trixy Nuesca Ganer and assistant Joe Keanini have guided the team to its best first-half record in years at 3-1 – including a sweep of Kamehameha Maui, a team that had previously dominated the Lady Lunas and the Maui Interscholastic League Division I standings.

The team’s only loss came to one of the top programs in the state, King Kekaulike.

“This is a dedicated and hardworking bunch of girls that we’ve worked together with since the sixth grade,” explained Coach Trixy last week, as the team rolled into the second half of an exciting MIL season for Luna V-ball fans. “All of the keiki volleyball players are benefiting from the club and year-round programs.

“Most of the student-athletes on the varsity and junior varsity have played in the club program, which is in its third year. This is really important for year-round play and says volumes about the commitment of the players. It really shows in our blocking and defense on the court, as well as hustle play and adjustments to the ball. We need to improve on our court vision and hitting to the opponents’ weakness.”

Coach Trixy had special praise for her mom and dad, Charmaine and Hano Ganer, and to the parents, school and the community.

“It is really nice to see the support for the team on and off the court. The recent disasters brought us closer together and has inspired a sense of pride and unity in the community. We’ve felt it on our end,” she said.

The 2018 Lady Lunas are led by tri-captains senior Nicole Turner and juniors Taylor Ganer and Melody Casco Deleon. They are joined by seniors Destiny Ah Puck and Grace Takemoto, and juniors Alana Koa, Vaelei Long, Sherlin Ravida, Mahealani Criste and Willa Varquez. Rounding out the roster are sophomores Regine Marumi and Ihilani Garcia.

Hano Ganer leads the Lady Luna junior varsity team, assisted by Ashley Ganer and volunteer coaches Davilynn Ganer and George Kaita.

The MIL playoffs are scheduled for mid-October, with the HHSAA State Tournament set for Oct. 24-26 in Honolulu. Imua, Lady Lunas!