Moanalua junior outside hitter Austin Matautia and the Iolani senior hurdler Lindsey Combs were outstanding in championship performances for their respective teams last week. ScoringLive photo illustration

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Male Athlete of the Week: Austin Matautia, Moanalua volleyball
The Moanalua boys' volleyball team has already had a good season — a 14-0 mark and its seventh consecutive league title — but is aiming for a big finish this spring.

Na Menehune, who are seeded third in the New City Nissan/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I Boys Volleyball State Championships, can trace much of their success to — and are hinging a lot of their hopes on — the shoulders of Austin Matautia.

Matautia, a 6-foot-4 junior outside hitter, factored largely in both of Moanalua's wins last week in the Oahu Interscholastic Association tournament. In a semifinal win over Kahuku Tuesday, he had 16 kills, seven digs and two blocks.

"I think he played his best game in that match," Na Menehune coach Alan Cabanting said. "He utilized all his different shots in that game, so each year he's matured a little more and he's understanding the game more and with that the diversity of his shots is starting to grow."

Two days later, Matautia put down 15 kills with eight digs, one block and an ace in the championship game against previously-unbeaten Waianae.

"He's just so dynamic and he brings power," Cabanting said of Matautia. "You think you've seen everything at the high school levee, but every now and then some of his attacks will make you go, ‘Oh, wow!' He can hit cross-court angles, there's some sets he's hitting over blocks like you would see at the collegiate level."

While Matautia, who verbally committed to the University of Hawaii earlier this season, has proven he can shoulder the load, Cabanting says his team is at its best when it is balanced.

"The great thing about Matautia is he's a presence and a lot of opposing teams will plan to defense him, which is great for us in a sense that we can diversify the offense and have other people take attacks here and there," Cabanting said. "The great thing is that Matautia knows that in order for us to win, we need other guys to step up. When he was a freshman, it was more of a ‘set me! set me!' mentality, but he's learning that it's more of a team game than anything."

Part of the maturation process for Matautia has been about remaining positive during setbacks.

"He's such a talented player and he's very hard on himself, but the thing is volleyball is a team sport and so when he gets frustrated with himself, rather than letting his teammates support him, he becomes introverted and it becomes hard for his teammates to play with him," Cabanting said. "He's working on it and once he gets past that I think he'll be a great player at the collegiate level."

Matautia has been a starter since his freshman year. Moanalua has been the class of the OIA, having won the past five D1 league crowns and back-to-back D2 titles just before that. This season, it did not drop a set in league play.

Na Menehune reached the state semifinals last year, falling in an epic five-set match to Kamehameha-Hawaii, before finishing third. They're hoping to improve upon that this year.

"It's a big motivation for them," Cabanting said. "They were that close and it just slipped away and that's what they've been working on, is finishing games and being mentally in it from start to finish. One of their biggest goals is to be in the championship match for the state tournament."

Matautia and Na Menehune begin their quest for a state title at home this weekend. They have a first-round bye Friday and will play the winner of Kamehameha-Waipahu in a 7 p.m. quarterfinal Saturday. The semifinals and finals will take place next weekend.

Female Athlete of the Week: Lindsey Combs, Iolani track & field
Iolani track coach Earl Hedani can't help but gush about Lindsay Combs.

Who can blame him? After all, the Raiders' senior is quite the model student-athlete, sporting a 4.3 grade point average while balancing two varsity sports. Not to mention she's the editor of her school newspaper on top of it.

Oh, and then, there are her track and field exploits. Combs won the 100-meter hurdles and was a member of the winning 4x100-meter relay team at the Interscholastic League of Honolulu championships Friday at Kamehameha's Kunuiakea Stadium.

"She's always one of the best athletes around, she sets goals and she's just a champion heart-wise," said Hedani, who has coached at the school for 45 years. "She practices hard and she works hard. She's a special girl."

Combs also set a new ILH championship-meet record in the 300-meter hurdles in a time of 43.4 seconds, beating the previous mark of 44.64 set by Punahou's Julia Brand in 2011.

"Two of the coaches that have really helped her are Erica Okimura and Jason Anzai," said Hedani, who returned from a hiatus last year when he suffered a heart attack. "Those two have really brought her along and they're really close."

Combs nearly broke the 100-meter hurdles record set by her former teammate, Abrianna Johnson-Edwards, of 14.91 seconds two years ago. She finished in 14.95 seconds, well ahead of a current teammate, Aubrie Usui, at 16.48.

"It's just so satisfying to see and there's one more week of states," said Hedani, a former teacher at the school.

"Lindsey was in my class and I asked her to come out for track in seventh grade, so I kind of recruited her," Hedani said. "When I first saw her, it was just one of those that I wanted the kids to come out, but when I saw her hurdling I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, this is a winner.' Basketball was her first love, but after she found out that with encouragement, track became another love for her. She pursued it, she worked hard and everything's worked out. I couldn't be happier. She's just a wonderful girl."

Hedani called Combs, who finished second in both the 100- and 300-meter hurdles at last year's state meet, the "catalyst" for his team.

"She helps kids, she works hard and I know every time she talks to people, they come away very impressed by her and I'm happy by that," Hedani said. "She just booms personality and intelligence. You're never going to find a scholar-athlete with so much heart and dedication as Lindsey."

Combs will attend Yale University next year, where collegiate track may be in her future.

"I was talking to her about that and she said she wanted to try, but I guess at Yale not too many freshman go out for sports — most just concentrate on academics — but she said, ‘I might be different,' " Hedani said. "That's the way she is. She wants to do things and once she sets her mind to it, it's go all the way."

Next week's Island Movers/Hawaii High School Athletic Association State Championships will be the last prep meet for Combs, but could be Hedani's swan song as well.

"I think this might be my last year," Hedani said. "The seniors this year are the ones I kind of brought in. I'm very proud of all the coaches and the time and effort they put into the kids, not only as coaches, but also as mentors and everything. It's just wonderful."

BASEBALL
Nawai Ah Yen, Baldwin — Batted 3 for 3 with a triple and two runs scored in a win over Maui

Grant Doi, Mid-Pacific — Allowed two runs on three hits in 5 2/3 innings pitched in a win over Kamehameha

Chayson Dulatre, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 2 with two RBI in a win over Pac-Five

Michael Hooper, Baldwin — Allowed two runs on two hits in a complete-game win over Maui

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Hezekiah Agiga, Waianae — Had 17 kills, seven digs, two blocks, two aces and an assist in a  win over Kalaheo

Jack Andrade, Castle — Had 17 kills, 12 digs, five blocks and an assist in a win over Pearl City

Tyler Canon, Pearl City — Had 36 assists, two kills, two digs and one block in a loss to Castle

Blaise Dela Pena, Pearl City — Had 13 digs, nine kills, two blocks, one ace and an assist in a loss to Castle

Seyj Engleman, Moanalua — Had 12 kills, seven digs and an ace in a win over Waianae

Kupaa Harrison, Kalaheo — Had 34 assists, six digs, five kills, two blocks and two aces in a loss to Waianae

Garrett Kanamu, Pearl City — Had 21 kills, five digs, one block, one ace and an assist in a loss to Castle

Jahren Muliagatele, Waianae — Had 33 assists, four digs, one block and an ace in a win over Kalaheo

Kainoa Peterson, Kalaheo — Had 18 kills, seven digs, one block and an assist in a loss to Waianae

Kekoa Pili-Rumusod, Castle — Had 17 digs and 12 kills in a win over Pearl City

Jonah Poe, Waianae — Had 12 digs, four kills, four aces and two assists in a win over Kalaheo

Naia Singlehurst, Kalaheo — Had 18 kills, six digs, two aces and an assist in a loss to Waianae

GIRLS WATER POLO
Taylor Brooks, Roosevelt — Scored five goals in a win over Leilehua

Gini Gustafson, Mililani — Scored six goals in a win over Moanalua

Rell Koizumi, Moanalua — Scored four goals in a loss to Mililani

Auri Kunz, Kahuku — Scored five goals in a win over Waialua

Lisa Namatame, Kalani — Scored four goals in a win over Waialua

Mailani Wendt, Kapolei — Scored four goals in a win over Mililani

GOLF
Trevor Hirata, Waiakea — Shot an eight-under par 136 to win the boys' individual title at the BIIF championships at the Hualalai golf course and Club at Hokulia

Kaley Saludares, Waiakea — Shot a 16-over par 160 to win the girls' individual title at the BIIF championships at the Hualalai golf course and Club at Hokulia

JUDO
Teshya Alo, Kamehameha — Won the girls' 139-pound weight class for her second ILH individual title

Cole Chandler, Mid-Pacific — Won the boys' 145-pound weight class for his second ILH individual title

Chelsey Chaves, Maui — Won the girls' 103-pound weight class for her second MIL individual title

Joshua Farin, Baldwin — Won the boys boys' 114-pound weight class for his second MIL individual title

Jaclyn Fontanilla, Kamehameha — Won the girls' 154-pound weight class for her third ILH individual title

Alyssa Fusato, King Kekaulike — Won the girls' 129-pound weight class for her second MIL individual title

Kayla Gaspar-Takahashi, Kamehameha — Won the girls' 129-pound weight class for her second ILH individual title

Joseph Hoshino, Kamehameha — Won the boys' 198-pound weight class for his second ILH individual title

Keian Inoue, Baldwin — Won the boys' 178-pound weight class for his second MIL individual title

Weston Kogachi, Punahou — Won the boys' 114-pound weight class for his second ILH individual title

Keely Lindsey, Kamehameha-Maui — Won the girls' 172-pound weight class for her second MIL individual title

Hilinai Meyer, Kamehameha — Won the girls' 109-pound weight class for her second ILH individual title

Taylor Miyao, St. Andrew's Priory — Won the girls' 103-pound weight class for her second ILH individual title

Jordan Ng, Iolani — Won the boys' 121-pound weight class for his fourth ILH individual title

Alyssa Queral, Maui — Won the girls' 109-pound weight class for her third MIL individual title

Troy Waki, Baldwin — Won the boys' 161-pound weight class for his second MIL individual title

Dane Yamashiro, Iolani — Won the boys' 285-pound weight class for his second ILH individual title

SOFTBALL
Kaili-Ann Akimseu, Mid-Pacific — Batted 3 for 4 and tossed a complete game in a win over Punahou

Kailie Alama, Aiea — Batted 2 for 4 with a triple, double, six RBI and two runs scored in a win over Farrington

Marissa Allen, Mid-Pacific — Hit a grand slam home run in a win over Punahou

Tyanna Kaaialii, Pearl City — Did not allow a hit in four scoreless innings pitched in a win over Mililani

Kiersen Kawehi Kahele, Konawaena — Batted 3 for 5 with a triple and an RBI in a win over Honokaa

Teizha Kaluna, Konawaena — Batted 3 for 3 with a double, two walks and two runs scored in a win over Honokaa

Kamalei Labasan, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 2 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Mid-Pacific

Shearyna Labasan, Maryknoll — Batted 3 for 4 with two doubles and tossed a complete game in a win over Iolani and allowed one run on two hits with seven strikeouts and one walk in five innings pitched in a win over Mid-Pacific

Jordan Lovell, Saint Francis — Batted 3 for 3 with a walk and a run scored in a loss to Pac-Five

Kasey Magdadaro, Maryknoll — Batted 3 for 3 with a double and three RBI in a win over Iolani

Shazzareigh Nakoa-Chung, Pac-Five — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in a win over Saint Francis

Nicole Nishizawa, Punahou — Batted 2 for 4 with a two-run home run and a double in a loss to Mid-Pacific

Kayla Requelman, Honokaa — Batted 3 for 4 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored in a loss to Konawaena

Merilis Rivera, Mililani — Allowed two runs (one unearned) on three hits in six innings pitched in a loss to Pearl City

Samantha Sakihara, Mid-Pacific — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple, two RBI and three runs scored in a win over Punahou

Brazzlyn Tovio-Asato, Pac-Five — Batted 2 for 3 with a walk and a two-run, walk off home run in a win over Saint Francis

Rasela Vili, Saint Francis — Batted 2 for 3 with a walk and two RBI in a loss to Pac-Five

TRACK & FIELD
Kayla Afoa, Kamehameha — Won the girls' long jump and was a member of the winning 4x100-meter relay team at the ILH championships

Amanda Beaman, Iolani — Won the girls' 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs at the ILH championships

Chad Figueroa, Castle — Won the boys' 100-meter dash and was a member of the winning 4x100-meter relay team at the OIA championships

Grace Fisher, Maui — Won the girls' shot put and discus events at the MIL championships

Teuila Gardner, Kaiser — Won the girls' high jump, 800-meter run and was a member of the winning 4x100- and 4x400-meter relay teams at the OIA championships

Tommi Hintnaus, Kaiser — Was a member of the winning girls' 4x100- and 4x400-meter relay teams at the OIA championships

Kathleen Funcheon, Moanalua — Won the girls' 100- and 200-meter dash events at the OIA championships

La'akea Kahoohanohano-Davis, Baldwin — Won the boys' long jump, triple jump and high jump events at the MIL championships

Bailey Kaopuiki, Baldwin — Won the boys' 100- and 200-meter dash and was a member of the winning 4x100- and 4x400-meter relay teams at the MIL championships

Kaeo Kruse, Kamehameha — Won the boys' 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs at the ILH championships

Arven Lacaden, Maui — Won the boys' discus and shot put events at the MIL championships

Emerson Liburd, Lahainaluna — Set a new meet record in the boys' 110-meter hurdles at the MIL championships

Jonathan Liu, Iolani — Won the 110- and 300-meter hurdles at the ILH championships

Celine Lum, Kaiser — Set a new meet record in the girls' pole vault and was a member of the winning 4x100- and 4x400-meter relay teams at the OIA championships

Jerri Maluyo, Leilehua — Won the girls' long jump and triple jump events at the OIA championships

Kiernan Leighton Mateo, Baldwin — Won the boys' 300-meter hurdles and was a member of the winning 4x100- and 4x400-meter relay teams at the MIL championships

Madison Moku, Hawaii Baptist — Won the girls' 100-, 200- and 400-meter dash events at the ILH championships

Kristen O'Handley, Kaiser — Won the girls' 400-meter dash and was a member of the winning 4x100- and 4x400-meter relay teams at the OIA championships

Maya Reynolds, Kihei Charter — Won the girls' 200- and 400-meter dash events at the MIL championships

Vanessa Roybal, Mililani — Set a new meet record in the girls' 3,000-meter run at the OIA championships

Ava Shipman, Seabury Hall — Won the girls' 800-, 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs and was a member of the winning 4x400-meter relay team at the MIL championships

Kaitlin Smith, Baldwin — Won the girls' long jump and 100-meter dash events at the MIL championships

Kayson Smith-Bejgrowicz, Kamehameha — Won the boys' long jump, triple jump and high jump events at the ILH championships

Ryan Tsang, Maui — Won the boys' 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs at the MIL championships