Pearl City downs Radford in straight sets


Pearl City posted a straight set win over Radford to improve to 2-2 in league play. CJ Caraang | SL

Pearl City inched one step closer to clinching a spot in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II playoffs with a sweep of visiting Radford, 25-12, 25-12, in an OIA Western Division contest Tuesday night.

It was the Chargers' first meeting with a Division II team this year.

"For us this is a big win for us because this is a team that we could actually play in the playoffs," said Pearl City coach Brennan Velasco.

Junior setter Tyler Canon sparked the Chargers (2-2) win over the Rams (2-3), doling out 15 assists with five aces.

"He's progressing as a player," Velasco said on Canon. "He's our leader, he's our captain and he runs the whole offense. For a guy that really doesn't play volleyball too much – he's more of a basketball player – for him to convert and come over here, I'm very proud of what he is doing and accomplishing."

Benefiting the most from Canon's sets was 5-foot-10 junior Jordan Florita with a match-high seven kills. P-Jay Solomon had four more, Joshua Arellano and Blaise Dela Pena had three kills each and Garette Kanamu added two of his own.

"I have a lot of fun out there with these guys," said Canon. "Getting the kill is important, but just assisting these guys and helping them get the kill feels good. It feels like I got the kill too."

Raemart Laigo had four kills for the Rams in the loss. Junior libero Christopher Naputi added a match-high 14 digs.

Pearl City used a pair of 4-0 runs to take an early 12-4 lead. After the two teams split the next two points, the Chargers went on a 6-0 run to take a 19-5 lead that was punctuated with a block from Kanamu. Canon also had three of his aces in this stretch. The hot start helped Pearl City claim the first set with ease, 25-12.

The second set was no different. Pearl City jumped out to an early 5-0 lead and never looked back, winning the second set by the same margin as the first.

"We were lucky to implement what we were actually practicing into the game," said Velasco. "I just felt like everybody was finding their own groove and actually doing good out there. I'm very proud of them."

Radford takes on Campbell next while Pearl City faces Mililani in an XCast television game. Both games are slated for Thursday.

"We just need to keep the momentum up," said Canon. "We have a big game coming up on Thursday, a TV game for us. Just hoping to carry this momentum and get that W too."



Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].