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Male Athlete of the Week: Kaleoaloha Piceno, Leilehua football
Kaleoaloha Piceno made Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda do something that he's never done before in his career.

When it was time to fill out his team's roster at the start of the year, Tokuda didn't know what position to list Piceno as.

Piceno, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound senior, could play almost any skill position for the Mules' offense. He had the arm to play quarterback, legs to play running back and the hands to play receiver. 

With the ability to play multiple roles for the team, Tokuda listed "athlete" as Piceno's position on the Leilehua football team's 2016 roster.

Piceno showcased his versatility in the Mules' 41-14 Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I win over Castle last Friday when he scored three touchdowns in three different ways. The senior utility caught an 80-yard touchdown pass, threw a 11-yard scoring strike and ran in a 5-yard score to help the Mules win their second straight game of the season.

He finished with three receptions for a career-high 104 yards, 10 carries for a game-high 67 yards and 54 passing yards on 4 of 6 passing.

"He's such an asset for us," Tokuda said of Piceno. "We're just trying to find opportunities to get him touches, whether he's running from the quarterback spot, running back, or catching a pass from the back field as a receiver or slotback. 

"I think that's been key for us, trying to get the ball in his hands. Credit to him and to (offensive coordinator) coach Bobby (George) to put Kaleo in a position to make plays. It's just amazing to see Kaleo mature from when I first saw him."

Piceno, who is the third brother to play under Tokuda at Leilehua, was the starting quarterback to begin the Mules' 2015 season. However, Piceno suffered a hip flexor injury in the second game of the season and was out for most of the year. The time off the field gave Piceno a new focus heading into his senior campaign.

"He just wanted to make up time lost to his teammates," said Tokuda. "He did whatever it took to get treatment. At times he had to pull back and not run as hard as he could and he had to make sure that he gets his body ready, as well as to have the right mindset. At times it was frustrating, but definitely the time off made him appreciate the game more."

There may have also been added pressure to live up to the family name as older brothers Keoni and Ikaika had stellar careers at Leilehua and are now playing collegiately at Western Oregon University. Instead of worrying about that, Piceno is focused on the brotherhood that he currently has in the locker room and on the field.

"I think early on, there was this pressure that you have to go to college or that you have to be like your brothers. This year, he's just having fun and playing with his teammates," said Tokuda. "Because he puts his teammates first, he's having a good year and the team is able to be successful."

When Piceno went down in 2015, Konapiliahi Andres filled in at quarterback and did an admirable job. With both players available ready to go this year, the competition has helped each other grow, "like iron sharpens iron," said Tokuda.

The duo gives the Mules a one-two punch behind center. Opposing defenses have to adjust their schemes depending on who is at quarterback. Knowing this, Piceno tried something to confuse opponents.

After Leilehua's win over Kailua, Tokuda said Piceno asked his mom to pick up a white long sleeve cotton shirt so that he can wear it during games because Andres wears one like it under his jersey. While opponents may not admit that they are fooled by it, Tokuda said it at least got the announcers on a TV broadcast mixed up.

"I think it even tricked OC16 because they said Kona (Andres) ran the football when it was Kaleo that had the ball."

Tokuda added that unselfish actions like that has been key to the Mules' recent success.

"Credit goes to all of the skill position guys. They're all unselfish knowing that anytime they might be moved from wideout to slotback or running back to make room for Kaleo and Kona. Just because we're unselfish, that's why we're having success right now."

The Mules will close out the regular season when they host Mililani next Friday.

Female Athlete of the Week: Saige Kaahaaina-Torres, Iolani girls volleyball
Comfort in a new role helped Saige Kaahaaina-Torres have a productive week for the Iolani girls volleyball team.

The junior 5-foot-11 outside hitter accumulated 41 total kills, two block assists, three aces and 23 digs in two wins over Mid-Pacific and a victory over Maryknoll for the Raiders last week.

Kaahaaina-Torres, who is a setter on outside club teams, was Iolani's right side hitter in 2015. This season she is one of the Raiders' two main left side hitters for the team.

"She's been doing real well for us," Iolani coach Kainoa Obrey said of Kaahaaina-Torres. "This year she's passing and having to hit, so she's doing a pretty good job of doing that and playing all six rotations. Her ball handling is surprising us and she's been doing well in that. Naturally she's a setter so she doesn't get as many ball handling reps. That's a nice surprise and we're grateful that she's passing the ball well and digging it. She definitely keeps us in every point."

Kaahaaina-Torres had single digit kills in the Raiders' first two games of the year against Kamehameha and Punahou, but registered at least 12 kills in Iolani's next four games.

"Her IQ at the position over the last two weeks has really improved," said Obrey. "Just being able to get a lot more opportunities and swings on the left side against different types of blocks has really got her to a point where her attack has more range rather than just one type of swing."

The 5-foot-11 junior's growth as an outside hitter has also helped the development of freshmen outside hitter Elena Oglivie, who had a season-high 18 kills in a win over Maryknoll.

"The leadership that she's showing in carrying the heavy workload for us is a good example, especially for Elena, our other outside who's a freshman. They're showing each other the way, which is helpful," said Obrey.

Kaahaaina-Torres is also a weapon from the service line, averaging an ace a contest through six games.

"She's been a lot more consistent in that area, just the whole fundamental of the serve," said Obrey. "The more she kind of gets in a rhythm, the more she can put some added power behind it, and I think that's where other teams having a hard time handling her serves.

"Against Maryknoll, we had a tight one in game three, and she was aggressive on her serves and kept us in play and put a lot of pressure on the other team. Her serves helps set up our defense if it's not an ace. She's just athletic and dynamic and just adds a different look for our team from the service line as well."

Obrey added that Kaahaaina-Torres had worked hard with the goal of playing volleyball collegiately to become the player that she is today. The Iolani junior has already given a verbal commitment to play for the University of Missouri.

"She always wants to stay back and get some extra work on her hitting," said Obrey. "You can kind of sense it from the beginning that she wants to play in college. She trains hard with her dad to get in shape and be conditioned."

Her passion for volleyball is evident in how she approaches the game.

"She just goes after each opportunity she has and with each touch," said Obrey. "In practice she's the one that is just diving after balls, even on the third touch when it probably won't go over, but she goes after it. When we are faced with tough times, she's one of the vocal ones in the huddle that gets them together and gets us back on track."

AIR RIFLERY
Sara Lausterer, Waialua — Shot 521 in a girls match win over Kapolei

Heather Mar, Kalani — Shot 526.12 in a girls match win over Moanalua

Justin Pascua, Kalaheo — Shot 546.11 in a boys match win over Castle and 541.13 in a win over Kaiser

CROSS COUNTRY
Cody Ranfranz, Konawaena — Took first place in the boys 5K race at the Kealakehe meet with a time of 17 minutes and 12.6 seconds

Sara Yabe, Waiakea — Took first place in the girls 5K race at the Kealakehe meet with a time of 22 minutes and 51.95 seconds

FOOTBALL
Pokii Adkins-Kupukaa, Campbell — Had two interceptions in a win over Moanalua

Paki Akau, Honokaa — Scored on a 95-yard fumble return in a loss to Keeau

Mosi Alaivanu-Afe, Farrington — Caught five passes for a season-high 113 yards in a win over Nanakuli

Braden Amorozo, Waipahu — Passed for 221 yards and two scores in a win over McKinley

Gage Asing, Aiea — Made four tackles and had a sack, an interception and two pass breakups in a win over Kaiser

Jeremy Atiz-Nerveza, Leilehua — Had two sacks in a win over Castle

Damien Awai, Baldwin — Scored on a 22-yard fumble return in a win over King Kekaulike

Jaykob Cabunoc, Kamehameha — Caught five passes for 115 yards in a loss to Saint Louis

Kamakana Ching, Konawaena — Caught five passes for 115 yards and three scores in a win over Waiakea

Andrew Chor, Kaiser — Scored on a 40-yard fumble return in a loss to Aiea

Judd Cockett, Punahou — Caught five passes for 106 yards and two scores in a win over Iolani

Kainoa Craig, Kaiser — Scored on a 53-yard interception return and a had fumble recovery in a loss to Aiea

Austin Ewing, Konawaena — Passed for 306 yards and four scores in a win over Waiakea

Challen Faamatau, Farrington — Rushed for 127 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries and also caught two passes for 53 yards and another score in a win over Nanakuli

Ikona Fernandez, Kapaa — Made four tackles and recovered two fumbles and had a pass breakup in a win over Kauai

Chauncey Gonsalves-Bell, Kailua — Scored on a 89-yard kickoff return in a loss to Kapolei

Kamaki Gouveia, Baldwin — Rushed for 138 yards and one score on 14 carries in a win over King Kekaulike

Demeiko Hill, Aiea — Scored on a 66-yard interception return and had a pass breakup in a win over Kaiser

Jaylen Ignatowski, Campbell — Had a fumble recovery and an interception in a win over Moanalua

Ryan Johnson, Pac-Five — Threw for four touchdowns in a loss to Saint Francis

Nick Kapule, Punahou — Passed for 284 yards with four scores in a win over Iolani

Sitiveni Kaufusi, Punahou — Rushed for a season-high 106 yards on 14 carries in a win over Iolani

Kame Kim Choy-Keb-Ah Lo, Aiea — Made five receptions for 107 yards and two scores in a win over Kaiser

Makana LaBoy, Iolani — Scored on a a 75-yard interception return in a loss to Punahou

Mark Lehrner, Kalaheo — Passed for 236 yards and four touchdowns in a loss to Kaimuki

Wembley Mailei, Saint Francis — Rushed for two touchdowns and had an interception and a pass breakup in a win over Pac-Five

Damon Martin, KS-Maui — Rushed 20 times for 182 yards and a score in a loss to Lahainaluna

Arman Mogote, Aiea — Had two sacks in a win over Kaiser

Chyson Morgan, Nanakuli — Caught five passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns and also passed for 75 yards and another score in a loss to Farrington

Elijah Moritz, Lahainaluna — Scored on a 27-yard fumble return in a win over King Kekaulike

Kingston Moses-Sanchez, Farrington — Made three receptions of 113 yards and one score in a win over Nanakuli

Brent Nagami, Iolani — Caught five passes for a game-high 126 yards and one touchdown in a loss to Punahou

Kurt Napoleon, Kapaa — Passed and caught a touchdown in a win over Kauai

Daniel Nguyen, Kaimuki — Caught seven passes for 58 yards and a touchdown, added a 20-yard rushing touchdown and had an interception in a win over Kalaheo

Tevita Otuvaka, Saint Francis — Made five tackles, three for loss, and had two sacks and a forced fumble in a win over Pac-Five

Keoni Pangan, Kaiser — Scored on a 80-yard interception return in a loss to Aiea

Wyatt Perez, Kapolei — Caught six passes for 107 yards and one score in a win over Kailua

Kawai Phifer, Leilehua — Caught a season-high seven passes for 111 yards and one score in a win over Castle

Jacob Ramelb, Moanalua — Made a game-high 10 1/2 tackles, two for loss, in a loss to Campbell

Ezekiel Rombawa, Castle — Made a game-high 11 tackles, one for loss, in a loss to Leilehua

Jaymin Sarono, Kapolei — Caught nine passes for 139 yards and one touchdown in a win over Kailua

Ieke Seei-Cleveland, Kaimuki — Rushed for 136 yards and two scores and caught three passes for 30 yards and a touchdown in a win over Kalaheo

Tyson Shimabukuro, Saint Francis — Rushed for a season-high 153 yards and one touchdown in a win over Pac-Five

Jordan Solomon, Kaimuki — Passed for 258 yards and four scores in a win over Kalaheo

Noah Sumimoto, Pac-Five — Made a game-high 11 1/2 tackles, two for loss, in a loss to Saint Francis

Taulia Tagovailoa, Kapolei — Threw for 376 yards and had three passing touchdowns in a win over Kailua

Tua Tagovailoa, Saint Louis — Passed for 273 yard and two touchdowns in a win over Saint Louis

Jeremiah Tauai, Campbell — Made 8 1/2 tackles, 3 1/2 for loss, and had a sack in a win over Moanalua

Jamelle Thompson, Keeau — Had two interceptions in a win over Honokaa

Kaale Tiogangco, Hilo — Passed for 101 yards and two touchdowns and added another score on the ground in a win over Hawaii Prep

Tevesi Toia, Waialua — Accounted for two touchdowns in a 13-7 win over Roosevelt

Jaren Ulu, Waianae — Passed for 123 yards with three touchdowns on a 7 of 9 passing in a win over Radford

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Jayleen Abregana, Kapolei — Had six kills, three aces and a block assist in a sweep of Leilehua

Casey Arakaki, Seabury Hall — Dished out 19 assists and had seven digs and three aces in a straight set win over Maui Prep

Hope Carter, Mililani — Dished out 31 total assists in straight set wins over Campbell and Waianae

Jenna Carvalho, Seabury Hall — Had three kills, six aces and five digs in a straight set win over Maui Prep

Minoaka Criste, Lahainaluna — Had 12 kills and four aces in a four-set win over Seabury Hall

Ashley Ganer, Lahainaluna — Dished out 21 assists in a four-set win over Seabury Hall

Taylor Ganer, Lahainaluna — Had six kills and six aces in a four-set win over Seabury Hall

Destyni Grace, Aiea — Had a total of 10 kills, three aces, 19 assists and nine digs in straight set wins over Waialua and Pearl City

Destiny Kaumatule, Kaiser — Racked up a game-high 16 kills in a three-set loss to Kalani

Kamalei Krug, Anuenue — Had a game-high 13 kills, eight digs, two aces and a block assist in a three-set loss to Kalani

Leslie Mamai-Lagafuaina, Aiea — Made a total of 20 kills and five aces in straight set wins over Waialua and Pearl City

Cheylah-Marie Marfil, Nanakuli — Had 25 assists and two aces in a three-set loss to Waianae and had 16 assists and an ace in a sweep of Waialua

Kelsie Nakashima, Kalani — Dished out a total of 48 assists and had four aces in games against Kaiser, Anuenue and Farrington

Kanilea Nomura, King Kekaulike — Had eight kills and two block assists in a sweep of Lahainaluna

Ana Oglivie, Iolani — Dished out a total of 89 assists and 23 digs in two wins over Mid-Pacific and a victory over Maryknoll

Elena Oglivie, Iolani — Had a double-double of 18 kills and 13 digs in a three-set win over Maryknoll and a double-double of 15 kills and 22 digs in a two-set win over Mid-Pacific

Jeanie Paisis, Nanakuli — Had 20 digs and an ace in a three-set loss to Waianae

Anela Pakaki-Pias, Kapolei — Had a season-high eight kills and one block assist in a sweep of Leilehua

Ashley Pawlak, Mililani — Made a total of 15 kills and seven aces in straight set wins over Campbell and Waianae

Michelyn Pililaau, Kapolei — Had a season-high seven kills and three block assists in a straight set win over Leilehua

Samantha Pollard, Kalaheo — Had 11 kills and a block solo in a three-set win over Castle

Arielle Tafeaga, Nanakuli — Had 19 digs and four kills in a three-set loss to Waianae

Amber Tai, Kailua — Had 10 kills and an ace in a straight set loss to Kahuku

Haley Thomas, Nanakuli — Had 12 kills, two blocks (one solo) and eight digs in a three-set loss to Waianae and had 11 kills in a sweep of Waialua

Olivia Transfiguracion, Kapolei — Dished out a season-high 28 assists in a straight set win over Leilehua

Jorene Ulu, Waianae — Dished out 23 assists and had seven digs and an ace in a three-set win over Nanakuli

Kalena Vaivai, King Kekaulike — Accumulated nine kills, five block assists, three aces, 40 assists and 13 digs in straight set wins over Lahainaluna and KS-Maui

Chevelle Wagner-Chun, Waianae — Had 17 digs in a three-set win over Nanakuli

Chasity Wong, Farrington — Dished out 19 assists in a straight set win over Kalani

Kylee Yamashita, KS-Maui — Had 10 kills in a straight set loss to King Kekaulike