Lady Luna volleyball team thrilled to compete again

The team includes (from left): front — Keana Medeiros Sodetani, Hailey Killett, Kailani Medeiros Sodetani and Kalolaine Pasikala; back row — Sophia Abut, Jasmine Mathias, Malika Viela, Ileana Bush, Kathleen Baniqued and Angel Camagay.
LAHAINA — After a strong finish to the 2019 Maui Interscholastic League season, the Lahainaluna High School girls volleyball team was looking forward to bigger and better things in 2020. But the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out those high ambitions and hampered the restart for the fall of 2021.
The MIL athletic schedules are just now starting to gain some traction, and the girls volleyball season is underway.
A compressed, 11-week season began two weeks ago, and the Lady Lunas, Baldwin, Maui High, Kamehameha and King Kekaulike will play a three-round slate of 15 games. Lahainaluna will host eight of those match-ups.
According to parent advisor and team spokesperson Shayda Medeiros, the Lady Lunas are mentored by a veteran coaching staff led by Trixy Nuesca, Jordan Saribay and Joe Keanini.
Returning seniors on the roster include Kailani Medeiros Sodetani, Kaloline Pasikala, Hailey Killett, Angel Camagay and Sophia Abut. They are joined by juniors Keana Medeiros Sodetani, Kathleen Baniqued and Malika Viela; and sophomores Jasmine Mathias and Iliana Bush. Team managers are Mason Alexander and Kalei Medeiros Sodetani.
Although the team has had little preparation time due to the pandemic, Medeiros reported that most of the girls have risen up in the club program led by the Ganer/Nuesca ohana and are familiar with the Lahainaluna system and the coaching staff.
“We started practice up at the school on the 27th (of September), and that’s a long time of not touching a ball,” Medeiros said.
“It’s been a huge hit due to the mandates, and we’re a small team compared to the past, but we’re so happy to be out there!”