Kaiser outduels Farrington in season opener

Greg Yamamoto | SL

In a seesaw affair, Kaiser took down Farrington in a five set marathon, 25-15, 15-25, 25-21, 25-22, 15-12, to notch a season opening win in front of racous crowd at Kaiser High School Gymnasium.

Jaylynn Nihipali put down a match-high 15 kills, including the game-winner, and added 2 blocks and 23 digs to lead the way.

Nihipali started the game at the setter position, but moved to the outside in the fourth set.

"I actually asked him (Coach Downing) since we weren't doing that good with me setting if I could hit, and that worked for the team so we just kept on working with that," said Nihipali.

Kayana Mossman took over primary setting duties in the last two sets, and Nihipali recorded 11 of her 15 kills down the stretch.

The added threat of Nihipali on the side opposite likely took some of the attention of the Govs' block away from Jordyn Hayashi, who notched 6 kills through the first three sets, but found the hitting lanes easier to find once Nihipali became a full-time attacker.

Hayashi finished with 13 kills and 22 digs.

Kaiser may have controlled set one and edged Farrington in the final two sets to eke out the win, but the Lady Govs were clearly the better team in set two and three.

Led by the htting trio of Camilla Chun (14 kills), Alelujah Faamasino (14 kills, 3 blocks, 12 digs) and Amber Nguyen (11 kills, 16 digs), and the steady setting of Jerica Vele (35 assists, 12 digs), there will not be a shortage of threats on offense for Farrington this season.

The Lady Govs also outblocked the Cougars by an 11 to 8 count, with Anisha Faumui leading the way with 5.

Farrington will look to get on the winning track against Anuenue on August 29, while Kaiser will face off at home against Roosevelt on September 3.