Hawaii Baptist's MJ Johnson prepares for a kill attempt in the second set against Le Jardin. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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_17022532_HBAvsLJA_7096.jpg - Greg Yamamoto | SL

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NUUANU — Defending state champion Hawaii Baptist began the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II season with a straight set win over Le Jardin Saturday afternoon at Dan Liu Gymnasium.

The Eagles (1-0) swept the Bulldogs (0-1), 25-16, 25-22, in 44 minutes to extend its winning streak over league opponents to 32 matches.

For the most part, both teams looked how most squads would look in a season opener. Both teams committed errors that were correctable, with a handful of net and line violations in the mix. 

"I thought it looked like a first game for both teams," said Hawaii Baptist coach Teoni Obrey. "We got a lot of things that we got to work on and we got a lot of new faces at new positions.

"Just getting everyone on the same page is going to be a challenge this year, but I think we'll get better." 

The defending champions did show flashes of potential however. Replacing three-year varsity outside hitter Caleb Fisher are MJ Johnson and Kellen Takatsuka, who combined for 19 kills. Sophomore middle Max Wiemken also paired in a handful of overpass kills and recorded three blocks, two solo. Returning setter Davin Rausch added 18 assists and libero Dru Pang had a match-high 10 digs to lead the Eagles' defense. 

Le Jardin was in a similar boat. With only two players on the roster that play year volleyball year round, most players on the squad were coming over from the basketball team, which played its last contest last Friday in the Division II state tournament.

Still, the Bulldogs had their moments. Tevin Harper led the attack with seven kills and eight digs and 6-foot-4 right-side hitter Dominic Venezia added five kills and eight digs. Setter Evan Kroll directed the offense with 14 digs and did a little bit of everything with three digs, two blocks and an ace.

Hawaii Baptist was able to align its blocks to key on Harper throughout the match, which created good matchups and opportunities for Venezia to take advantage of. Le Jardin coach Lee Lamb spoke about the potential of Venezia, a basketball player playing his second year of volleyball.

"He's got a lot of upside so we'd like to try and get him going, the timing and just trying to get all that stuff done," said Lamb.

Both teams were neck-and-neck throughout the opening game, with 11 ties throughout the first 28 points. After a net violation on Hawaii Baptist to tie the frame at 14, the Eagles got into a groove and strung a 9-0 run to take a 23-14 lead that was capped with an overpass kill by Rausch. The two teams then traded points until the Eagles took the set, 25-16.

The second game was a lot closer than the opening frame. Le Jardin scored the first four points and forced an early timeout by the Eagles. The Bulldogs then took leads of 7-1 and 9-2 and 13-7 before Hawaii Baptist started to climb into it.

Hawaii Baptist continued to whittle away at Le Jardin's lead until a hitting error by Venezia tied the game at 19. On the next serve, the Bulldogs were whistled for a violation when one of their players was standing outside of the court, which gave Hawaii Baptist its first lead of the frame and forced a Le Jardin timeout. 

The Eagles lost the serve after a serving error, but retook the lead on a Johnson kill that went off a back row player. Le Jardin looked like it was going to tie it back up after a Venezia swing, but Venezia hit the net on the way down to give Hawaii Baptist a 22-20 lead.

Another net violation, this time on James Christensen, later gave the Eagles a 24-22 lead that ultimately helped seal the match for Hawaii Baptist.

"I thought we did a really good job in the first half of the set," said Lamb. "(Then) I think we just stopped going and we had some issues where we weren't tracking the ball and people were colliding and that type of stuff, but much cleaner in that second set."

Hawaii Baptist will look to continue its winning ways when it travels to Saint Francis on Monday while Le Jardin hosts Hanalani on Tuesday.